2006 Pontiac Solstice Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Pontiac Solstice:

Its rakish styling features Pontiac's twin-honeycomb grille, sexy curves and two retro-style head fairings on the trunk lid that look as if from slinky 1950s sports-racing cars now considered works of art.

-- MSN Autos

One of the most attractive aspects of the Solstice is its curvaceous looks. There's hardly a straight line or crease on the body.

-- New Car Test Drive

Solstice hits the mark for sporty fun. Predictable through turns, well-balanced, and agile in quick changes of direction. Responsive steering feels connected to the road.

-- Consumer Guide

Quick lane changes can be done with no tire squeal, body lean or instability. It's almost like piloting a go-kart.

-- MSN Autos

The aluminum 16-valve engine produces 177 horsepower, which is enough to propel the fairly heavy 2,860-pound Solstice to 60 mph in a fairly quick 7.4 seconds if you rev it hard.

-- MSN Autos

One of the features that makes a sports car a delight to drive is a really good gearbox with short throws and precise shifts. The Pontiac team nailed this with the Solstice, as its gear changes are a delight to the touch, and I never came close to missing a shift.

-- Road & Track

What reviewers liked least about the Pontiac Solstice:

...the fuel gauge in the instrument panel is so deeply recessed it's impossible to see the needle at times.

-- Cars.com

The comfortable bucket seats are supportive, but their controls need to provide a larger range of comfort settings.

-- MSN Autos

A 5-speed automatic transmission won't be offered for the Solstice until 2006, and the car's 5-speed manual gearbox must be shifted a lot to get the best performance.

-- MSN Autos

Standard items include power steering, an adjustable steering column and an AM/FM/CD sound system, but not a heck of a lot else.

-- MSN Autos

...cabin stowage space is about as limited as that in the trunk - a pocket behind the driver's seat, a map holder in the wall behind it, a small compartment in the wall between the seats and a tiny glove box, and that's about all it will hold.

-- Cars.com

Trunk is wide enough to fit one large or two small golf bags. Two soft duffle bags will also fit, but don't expect to carry even medium-sized boxes.

-- Consumer Guide

And, of course, there are the obligatory-in-America cupholders so we never have to go thirsty.

-- Road & Track

Pontiac Solstice Comparisons:

The 18-inch wheels on the Solstice, compared to 16-inch wheels on the Miata, make the Pontiac look even sportier.

-- New Car Test Drive

To all intents and purposes the Solstice is GM's answer to the highly regarded Honda S2000 roadster as well as the Mazda Miata.

-- New Car Test Drive

The top is more complicated than the Miata's, as it involves opening the clamshell rear decklid and then pulling the top up and forward.

-- Road & Track

Best one-liner about the Pontiac Solstice:

GM has delivered that "gotta have" car.

-- Cars.com