Click above for high-res gallery of the Pontiac G3 (without the "Kick Me" sign)
As you may know, Pontiac has finally decided to sell the Korean-built G3 five-door hatchback in the U.S. On sale elsewhere in the world as a Daewoo and as the Pontiac Wave in Canada and Mexico, the G3 is basically a Chevy Aveo5 with a different nose and red gauges. It's brand rebadging in the grand old GM tradition. Jim Hopson, Manager of Pontiac Communications, has recently attempted to defend the G3's insertion into Pontiac's lineup on the GM Fastlane Blog. Let's take a look...
When addressing the fact that the G3 is just a rebadged Aveo5, he admits they "share a lot of components" (understatement), but that Toyota and Lexus also share components. Seriously? When Toyota and Lexus share components, the two cars are offered with entirely different exteriors, interiors, suspension and engine tuning. From what we can tell, the G3 and Aveo are identical except for their front ends, gauge clusters and wheels. Next he addresses why Pontiac needs the G3 and Vibe, but we don't think many people are asking that question. The G3 and Vibe are very different in size, capability and purpose.
The next question addressed is where things fall apart entirely. In answering how the G3 can possibly be a Pontiac, Hopson says it's because the car is "sporty and fun-to-drive when compared to many of the cars in its segment." We recently had a 2009 Chevy Aveo5 in the Autoblog Garage (review forthcoming) and can confirm that it's the least sporty and fun-to-drive among its competitors, so much so that we wonder how anyone, even a PR guy, can say otherwise with a straight face.
The G3 is on its way to Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers for a number of reasons, but chief among them is because those dealers simply demanded it. There are no truly small cars among those three brands and they need one that looks fuel efficient to attract customers, never mind the fact that it won't even have the highest EPA rated fuel economy on their showroom floors. The also rebadged Pontiac G5 XFE can get 3 mpg better on the highway than the smaller G3.
[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Azael @ Sep 19th 2008 11:37AM
How will GM ever get itself out of trouble and improve their brand image if they only release lackluster cars.
If you were smart, instead of buying one of these ugly pieces of sheet metal new, you would buy a used BMW.
You will be a million times happier.
That One Person @ Sep 19th 2008 12:28PM
It may be ugly (opinions are different) but I am sure it will be a hell of a lot more reliable than that used Bimmer.
You will be happy until the first time it's sitting at the local garage.
I am not defending this car (personally, I think it looks better than the Aveo) but I think it's stupid for GM to bring it here.
John @ Sep 19th 2008 1:46PM
That used BMW is great until it's first trip to the repair shop. Prepare for a huge bill. People forget this little fact.
Matt Keller @ Sep 19th 2008 8:36PM
It's not that the car is lackluster, that's not where the criticism is leveled. It's more that GM is doing what it used to do, and that's blatant rebadging. Nothing wrong with the car, it's just that it shouldn't be a Pontiac by any stretch of the imagination.
XGM @ Sep 19th 2008 8:51PM
If you want this car so bad, buy a Fit. I happen to own a Aveo, what a mistake that was. As for reliability, mine has been to the shop alot for various issues and still more that I wont bother fixing.
dea911 @ Sep 20th 2008 4:08AM
I love BMW's and think they are great cars. I own 3 myself. However, people who look for this car brand new will never cross shop it with a used BMW. Even if a brand new G3 is the same price as a 5 or 6 year old 3-series, the BMW will cost more to insure, maintain, and even to fill up.
However, I think it would be more reasonable to purchase a 2 year old Civic or a 1 year old Fit for the same money as this brand new, IMO
Torrent @ Sep 19th 2008 11:38AM
I'm still mad that it has only 106 horsepower and only gets 34 MPG. The Vibe Gets 32 and is decently powered. That either tells me that the Vibe is really frugal, or the G3 is the Gas Guzzler of it's class..... G3 is the worst move since the Firebird died. And it's ugly!
Joe K. @ Sep 19th 2008 11:49AM
I just purchased a 2009 Vibe GT to replace the wife's 02 Vue, The gas mileage was only supposed to be 28 mpg with the stick Hwy. We're doing 27 daily driving around the Garden State. The new EPA numbers are so conservative.
The new G3 doesn't make sense in the stable next to the Vibe. Less power, less size, for not enough less $$. The 1.8L Vibe with A/C and Power options will run around $16k. That's not horrendously expensive, so its tough to position the G3 effectively under it, considering the size difference.
TheClassic @ Sep 19th 2008 12:01PM
I think I know what you mean. When we bought our 08 Grand Caravan we stuck with the base 3.3L for cost reasons. I am annoyed that considering the significant reduction of output compared to the 3.8L and 4.0L, the fuel economy was only better by 2 mpg. Now Chrysler optimized the transmission and the 4.0L now gets the same mileage as the 3.3L. (I realize that the fact that the 3.3L has a 4 speed vs the larger engines 6 speed plays a significant role.)
RealityCheck @ Sep 19th 2008 12:30PM
We use these as delivery cars in our fleet and can tell you that they get much better milage then 34. If you drive like a normal person 38 to 40 is very easy to get! In city we get 31 all day long with the manual and 29 with the auto. They are also a lot of fun to drive when you don't get the bare bones model. It is not close to the Honda but it isn't priced that way either. But compared to the Toyota its a draw for the average guy and you get to keep about three grand with a better warranty.
Mbuku Kanyau Mbithuka @ Sep 19th 2008 12:38PM
I think the Aztek still holds the record in my books.
Torrent @ Sep 19th 2008 12:48PM
Still A Pontiac.......
RealityCheck @ Sep 19th 2008 6:48PM
We use these as delivery cars in our fleet and can tell you that they get much better milage then 34. If you drive like a normal person 38 to 40 is very easy to get! In city we get 31 all day long with the manual and 29 with the auto. They are also a lot of fun to drive when you don't get the bare bones model. It is not close to the Honda but it isn't priced that way either. But compared to the Toyota its a draw for the average guy and you get to keep about three grand with a better warranty.
No Welfare for GM @ Sep 19th 2008 11:38AM
Ok here’s my biggest beef, why not sell G3 as a Saturn, both are mainstream vehicles. GM should have sold Astra as a Pontiac because it is more or less a performance car, as opposed to G3.
Alex @ Sep 19th 2008 12:53PM
That's a great point, the astra would have made so much more sense at GM's performance division. Imagine if pontiac was the brand that GM rounded up all its sportier cars from around the globe and sold them here. That would be pretty damn cool. The G3 is just another blow to pontiac's already poor image.
Rich @ Sep 22nd 2008 5:07PM
The only Pontiac I find mildly attractive is the Saturn Sky.
JayP @ Sep 19th 2008 11:39AM
Drop it 3 inches, add 18" wheels and that turbo engine from the Cobalt SS.
That's excitement.
CB @ Sep 19th 2008 11:41AM
Why are they doing this? Is there a single buyer out there that says, "Hmm, I don't like that Chevy Aveo, but I just can't keep myself from buying a Pontiac G3!!!"
Jerk Face @ Sep 19th 2008 12:00PM
No.
Jon Hervé @ Sep 19th 2008 1:33PM
Obviously not.
Having the G3-Waveo in both Chevy and Pontiac dealerships is good for GM and its dealers.
The dealer:
He does not want to see consumers leaving because they couldn't find a small car in his dealership.
GM:
If the consumer was to leave the Chevy dealer (sometimes the problem is not the car, it can be a bad salesman or bad service) he could still go into a Pontiac one, find a better salesman and buy the disguised Aveo as a Pontiac.
You'd be surprised how many people don't know that some different car companies are in fact the same. Of course not Autoblog readers.
The Vibe and G3 share similar shapes and looks but they're still quite different. The Vibe (1.8L) has 26 more hp, is 17 in. longer, and has 13 cu. ft more cargo space with seats up than the G3, but it's $5,000 more expensive (base price).
Personally, I'd go for the Vibe instead of the G3. The Vibe is still a small car but it has more power, cargo and available AWD. Oh yeah.. I already have a Matrix.
But for lots of people, the $5,000 difference is a big deal, and you'd be surprised how many people think that 106 hp is enough to drive to work.
Don't worry, your Pontiac dealer won't try to sell you a G3 instead of a G8. And if he manages to, you probably deserve it