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2007 Pontiac G5 Coupe Review

_{By:Todd Jensen, Autotropolis Editor}

       Autotropolis Lifestyle Rating:

The 2007 Pontiac G5 is a two-door, five-passenger coupe available in two trims, the base and the GT. The 2007 Pontiac G5 base has a starting MSRP of $14,775 and is equipped with an ECOTEC 2.2-liter DOHC I4 producing 148-hp. The top-trim GT has a starting MSRP of $17,480 and is equipped with a 2.4-liter I4 producing 173-hp. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both the base and the GT. A 4-speed automatic with overdrive is available. Both trims are rated at 25-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.

The sub-compact 2007 Pontiac G5 coupe was introduced in 2005, but took two more years to reach American buyers. The 2007 model is the first crack we have had at the front-wheel-drive G5. However, other models in the GM line-up share platforms with the G5, including the Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Saturn Ion, and the Saturn Astra. Buyers in Canada and Mexico enjoy a sedan version of the G5 currently unavailable to U.S. buyers.

The entry-level G5 is decently equipped, but many buyers will want to move up to the very-well equipped GT trim. The base model can be optioned up to compete with the GT as far as comfort and convenience features, but buyers of the base trim would lose out on the extra horsepower offered by the GT's larger engine. Whereas the base falls short in native trim, the GT competes well against the competition in both standard and available equipment. Competition for the Pontiac G5 includes the 2007 Hyundai Tiburon, 2007 Scion tC, 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007 Ford Focus, and the 2007 Honda Civic Coupe.

Exterior

Driving excitement has long been the brand-promise of Pontiac. Where cars such as the 2007 Pontiac GTO deliver in a big way, the Pontiac G5 falls short. Plain and simple, the 2007 Pontiac G5 is a nice, functional, good looking, inexpensive, and very worthwhile purchase. But driving excitement does not make it far up on the list. The most powerful engine finds itself in the GT model, and the extra 25 horsepower can make a difference over the base. The noisy 2.2-liter found in the base struggles to deliver on the excitement so the 2.4-liter engine in the GT is a welcome improvement.

Standard exterior equipment covers all of the basics, including lightly-tinted Solar-Ray glass, power-adjustable outside mirrors, halogen headlamps with automatic lamp control and daytime running lamps, body-color spoiler and door handles, intermittent speed-sensitive wipers, power steering, and 15-inch wheels wrapped in P195/60R15 tires.

The upshot of the G5 is in its economy coupled with fairly stylish looks. Buyers can get a good, decently-equipped car with a starting MSRP that falls under $15,000 and and still get 29-mpg combined mileage. All of this from a car that is 179.8-inches long, 67.5-inches wide, 55.6-inches high, and has a 103.5-inch wheelbase. While the exterior is well proportioned, this long and low profile diminishes interior room, as we will see in the next section.

Interior

The fit and finish of the interior components has improved over previous Pontiac models. The interior is cleanly designed with all the right controls in the right places. It may seem a simple concept, but it's surprising where some automakers stick everyday controls such as light and wiper controls. A few years back, many automakers were putting every single function they could dream up on the turn signal stalk. Fortunately, those dark days of confusing controls have passed and we now have clean, functional design as the one found in the Pontiac G5.

G5 drivers note find the typical blind spots attributable today's small rear windows and raked stances. G5 passengers may note significant lack of headroom. Headroom up front is a mere 38.1-inches, and rear headroom shrinks to 35.7-inches. Not that these numbers are uncommon in sub-compact and compact cars, but these confines generally shut these cars out of the market for tall drivers who don't want to view the world through the windshield with their head cocked to one side. Cargo volume is also sparse, with 13.9 cubic feet available for groceries and gear.

Standard interior equipment includes a excellent-sounding AM/FM stereo system with CD and MP3 playback, digital-media ready, with 4-speakers. Air conditioning -- once a costly premium on compacts -- is standard, as is an air filtration system, keyless entry, outside temperature indicator, tachometer, diagnostic warning lights, tilt steering, and 2 power outlets.

Seating up front is comprised of cloth buckets with manual recline. The driver's seat features 4-way manual adjustment. The rear seat is a 60/40 split bench with trunk pass through, ready for your golf clubs or trip to the home improvement store.

Optional Equipment

The 2007 Pontiac G5 base has a long list of optional equipment, including two notable packages.

• Preferred Package - Anti-lock brakes, traction control, cruise control, satellite radio, cargo net, bodyside moldings, 16-inch wheels, and special wheel covers.

• Sport Package - Leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, fog lights. chrome exhaust tips, and alloy wheels. The Sport Package requires the Preferred Package.

Additional options can include power sunroof, upgraded audio systems, side airbags, OnStar, maintenance and service, heated front seats, a smoker's package, and paint options.

Safety Features

The 2007 Pontiac G5 has done well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing. The G5 scored 4-stars in driver frontal crash testing, 5-stars in front passenger frontal crash testing, 4-stars for both front and rear seat side impact testing, and 4-stars in rollover testing. Early release models scored 3-stars in front seat side impact. Standard safety equipment includes:

• Driver Airbag with Dual-Stage Deployment
• Passenger Airbag with Dual-Stage Deployment
• Front Passenger Sensing System
• 3-point Seatbelts
• LATCH System
• Truck Anti-trap
• Daytime Running Lights
• Keyless Entry

Side airbags are optional on GT models.