2009.5 Pontiac G6 Sedan, Coupe and Convertible get facelift, GXP remains horrifying
Click above for hi-res gallery of the 2009.5 Pontiac G6 Convertible
There's not a whole lot going on for General Motors at the LA Auto Show, but the company's making some minor announcements via press release before the shindig in la-la land gets underway tomorrow. The Pontiac G6 receives a minor facelift as a 2009½ model, with updated front and rear fascias and some interior tweaks. Those interior improvements bring the G6 up to par with its platform-mate brethren and include new trim bits, the standard GM radio (in a 2007 G6 I drove, the radio had this ridiculous ribbing on the dials -- a very 90s-Poncho feel), "all-new" (read: GM partsbin) HVAC controls, and an optional MY LINK communication package that includes Bluetooth, a dash-mounted USB port and related tech. You can also get a more attractive 2-tone interior with leather or cloth seats as an upgrade over the standard (and dreary) all-black treatment.
Underhood, the G6 Coupe is now available with the 4-cyl/6-speed powertrain combo, complete with paddle shifting. A flex-fuel 3.5L V6 is also available at no additional cost over the gas version in the full range of body styles, so the dozen G6 shoppers who also have access to actual E85 pumps should be enthused. The convertible's 3.9L V6 carries over and the 3.6L "high feature" V6, as before, is exclusive to the GXP. By the way, the GXP does not get any facelift love, and thus the infamous "Street Edition" remains ugly enough to stop every clock in a 132-mile radius.
Gallery: 2009.5 Pontiac G6 Sedan
Gallery: 2009.5 Pontiac G6 Coupe
Gallery: 2009.5 Pontiac G6 Convertible
[Source: Pontiac via finchannel.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ASEVENSEE4 11:31AM (11/18/2008)
It looks worse!
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Kotse 1:01PM (11/18/2008)
RENTAL!!
Torrent 11:33AM (11/18/2008)
Why not do anything the 'angry beaver' GXP?
It is good that it has a 4 cylinder now. Too bad it doesn't look as good as the Malibu / Aura.
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Papi L-Gee 12:30PM (11/18/2008)
The G6 has always had a 4-cyl (I drove one a year or so ago).
But now you can get the 6A with it.
Torrent 1:38PM (11/18/2008)
I'm talkin about the coupe. Didn't it only come with a V6?
Chris 11:33AM (11/18/2008)
I think it looks a lot better than the current. The G5 facia works much better on the larger G6 IMO.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:38AM (11/18/2008)
The sedan is improved, but still isn't good looking. The coupe is good, but look far better in dark colors.
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happy_penguin 1:52PM (11/18/2008)
The coupe and convertible are beautiful. The sedan not so much, but it isn't offensive. It's a pretty good car all around. My sister in law owns one and she was hit in the rear passenger side door and fender by a SEMI TRUCK doing 45 MPH. She not only lived to tell about it but got her car back from the shop in just two weeks with nary an indication of anything ever having been wrong with it. It's a solid car.
monkeykat2 11:44AM (11/18/2008)
Nice modern take of the very successful 80s/90s body cladding ....
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George 11:55AM (11/18/2008)
It looks o.k. with fog lights and kind of cheap with plastic inserts. The back of the coupe and sedan are still boring. How come no one has a problem with the Pontiac and Cadillac naming schemes but Lincoln's naming confuses them?
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jv2k 2:00PM (11/18/2008)
people complain about pontiac's naming system all the time.
0757LX 12:01PM (11/18/2008)
Why don't they just call it what it is....a GRAND AM!!!
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Paul 12:52PM (11/18/2008)
too bad its a totally different car than the N Body granda am. it doesnt even share the same engine or transmission...
dave 12:16PM (11/18/2008)
A rolling example of why GM is in trouble. Not improved in any way that will generate improved sales or that will put it on anyones list when car shopping.
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Conundrum 6:48PM (11/18/2008)
@dave...
The current exterior styling is quite a hit with many people. Not all improvements need to include major exterior asthetic changes. The newer MINI look is a winner and has not changed substantially in 8 years.
The G-6 has sold well over 126,000 units so far in 2008. That is quite a few shopping lists for a four year old model with a subpar interior. This refresh will improve most of the interior gripes.
Although I would prefer a manual with the 4 cyl. model, the six speed auto is something that Honda and Toyota don't offer. Paddle shifting is also a big plus! If the fuel economy with this combo matches GM's other epsilon cars at 33 miles per gallon, It should be on some lists because it is higher than Accord and Camry 4-cylinder models.
Jeff 12:07PM (11/18/2008)
I have an 07 G6 Convertible. It's given me 2 years and 25K miles of absolutely trouble free service. The only time it's been in a shop was for oil and filter changes. It's fun to drive, especially in the summer with the top down. In red, it's a good looking car.
My guess is most of the people who trash them here have either never driven one, or have driven a G6 stripped down rental.
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UltimoDragon 4:26PM (11/18/2008)
Allow me to join your contrarian crew, Jeff. I've driven and ridden in my aunt's G6 sedan. It's flawed in some ways, but overall its not a bad car. I'm not sure I would buy it new (as GM would love for me to do), but I know it's a steal as a certified pre-owned car.
Mike P. 12:16PM (11/18/2008)
Oh my god, they're bringing back the Grand Am.
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andy 12:25PM (11/18/2008)
its the all new first ever face lifted pontiac g6
now were driving excitement
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Bruce 12:45PM (11/18/2008)
I always get a kick out of reading comments on these blogs from all the self-proclaimed auto and design experts.
Since it was shown in pre-production car-show form, the G6 has been, and still is, a nice, clean form. The new front-end is a bit more busy, but overall, better looking. The overall form and the sides in particular, are still taught and trim, a complete turnaround from the Grand Am.
A better interior and the 4 cylinder 6-speed combination make the G6 a much better car and will bump the EPA figures a bit too.
If the car had a Toyota emblem on it, you guys would probably be falling all over yourselves praising it.
It always amazes me how I hear conversations about being patriotic and supporting our troops and trying to help our economy and so forth, but when the conversation's over the talkers go out and drive away in their Camry or Accord.
Oh, they'll tell you they bought them because everybody said they were better cars than what Detroit makes. The fact of the matter is there is very little difference in the quality of most cars these days.
Keep buying those ricers and see where our economy and your 401K ends up.
For the money, this is a very nice car.
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