2005 Pontiac Grand Prix Review

One thing's for sure; this is the best sounding Grand Prix since 1987. The Pontiac Grand Prix GXP is the first application of GM's 5.3-liter Displacement on Demand V-8 in the front wheel drive platform. First of all, I'd like to say that I am impressed with this car in the little time that I have spent with it. The sticker price had me doing a double take because I expected the GXP to be priced much higher than what it is.

The GXP comes pretty loaded for under $30,000. We?re talking the V-8, a TAPShift four-speed automatic, heads up display (HUD), nice cross-drilled rotors and red brake calipers, 18-inch rims and much more I?ll get into on the next couple of days. The only options on this car are heated leather seats with suede inserts, XM Radio and a remote starter. All said and done, with destination, the sticker topped out at $31,135. Not bad for a 303 horsepower sedan with highway mileage rated at 27 mpg.

I haven?t driven the car enough yet to talk about torque steer or if I notice anything from the cylinder deactivation system, but I do like the HUD that displays what gear I?m in when using TAPShift and that transmission is very obedient. The Pontiac gives a nice kick when you lean into the V-8 and the quad exhaust pipes sing a great tune that my old 1992 Grand Prix could only dream about.

This GXP is painted in what has become the official Pontiac GXP color; Dark Cherry Metallic. The color plays off the light very well and makes the lowered stance of the GXP seem a little more menacing. Tomorrow I?ll take apart the interior to see if it?s a place I?d like to spend my time funneling 323 lb ft of torque through the front wheels.