The 2005 Pontiac G6 has a lot going for it from the 200 horsepower V6 to the comfortable driver seats. But the 2005 Malibu is pretty much the exact same car only roomier, more comfortable, and cheaper.
Is the 2005 Pontiac G6 a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – A cross between a coupe and a sedan, the G6 is the best, and the worst, of both worlds.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 6/10 – The ride is a bit stiff, the backseat is cramped, but the front seats are nice and firm.
- Reliability 8/10 – Say what you will of the G6 but, with proper maintenance, it won’t leave you stranded.
- Safety 7/10 – Anti-lock brakes and traction control in the GT model are appreciated, and crash test scores are solid.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The G6 does 22/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in the base model, which isn’t bad but there are more efficient cars at this size.
- Value 7/10 – With pricing around $4,000 and a low cost of ownership, the G6 isn’t a bad deal, but it’s outclassed on value by the competition.
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Pontiac G6?
Consumer Reports found the 2005 Pontiac G6 to be powerful and fuel-efficient enough, but they declared it an ungainly worst-of-both-worlds hybrid of sedan and coupe. Big enough to be cumbersome around corners, but small enough to be uncomfortable to ride in.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 G6 a solid 88% recommendation, praising the styling, the sporty feel, and the speedy acceleration. Mediocre fuel economy, minimal trunk space, and cheap finish earn the car a few red marks.
Edmunds praised the G6’s handling, long list of standard features, and panoramic sunroof. They weren’t so enthusiastic about the low-quality finish or the limited rear headspace, and they report that the car was less powerful than its competitors.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 Have?
451 of the 2005 Pontiac G6’s 669 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints are for steering issues, making up an overwhelming majority of the whole. The car saw a pair of steering recalls in 2014, but drivers have been reporting jerky steering as late as 2023.
Electrical issues take a distant second place, with 83 complaints on file for electrical systems and anotehr 61 for exterior lighting. Drivers have reported low beam headlights burning out in a matter of days with the bulb harness melting in some instances.
Engine and powertrain complaints are remarkably few for a car that’s nearly twenty years old. Many of the complaints in this area have to do with a 2014 recall for fractured transmission shift cables potentially leading to rollaway.
The 2005 Pontiac G6 has 6 recalls on file in total, which is pretty low for a 2005 model car.
How Long Will the 2005 Pontiac G6 Last?
Pontiac G6 drivers have reported mileage as high as 270,000 and going. In a used model you should expect a maximum lifespan between 200,000 and 250,000 with adequate maintenance.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $471, which isn’t bad for a four-door mid-size. The most expensive repairs will typically be new timing chains and gear sets, starting at around $807, and new brake master cylinders, at $366.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2005 Pontiac G6 is good for the model year. You’ve got a CD player and a Driver Information Center included as standard features. That can be upgraded to an 8-speaker Monsoon sound system, and you’ve got an optional 6-disc CD changer.
Safety technology is basic in the Base model, and slightly-above-average in the GT. The higher trim level features anti-lock brakes and traction control. Nothing too cutting edge, but nice features to have.
Is the 2005 Pontiac G6 a Good Value?
The 2005 Pontiac G6 is a pretty good deal. The Base model typically goes for around $3,977 and the GT for $4,313. Fuel economy could be better, but the car is low maintenance and built to last. With these models averaging just 140,000 miles on the odometer, you could get another 100,000 for that price.
Because of the negligible price difference, you’re probably better off going with the GT model. It’s about three hundred dollars extra, but it adds another thousand dollars of value to the deal.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Pontiac G6?
The 2005 Pontiac G6 is offered in just two trim levels being the Base and the GT.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- Fog lights
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player
- Power windows and door locks
- Cruise control
The high-end GT adds:
- Premium cloth seating
- Anti-lock brakes
- Traction control
- 8-speaker Monsoon sound system
- 4-way power-adjust driver seat
- Sport-tuned suspension
What Engines Come In the 2005 Pontiac G6?
- Whichever model 2005 Pontiac G6 you’re going with, it comes packed with a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front-wheel drive, and it averages 22/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in the Base, and 21/29 in the GT, owing to a handful of weight and mechanical differences between the two. The 2005 G6 can go zero to sixty in about 8.3 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Pontiac G6?
The 2005 Pontiac G6 is somewhat comfortable. The driver and front passenger will probably have no complaints, but the awkward design of the back seat feels like they tried to turn a two-seater into a sedan. Adult passengers will be hitting their head on the sunroof and fighting over a mere 47 inches of hip room.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 Have?
The 2005 Pontiac G6 offers 14 cubic feet of trunk space. This would be decent for a compact, but it’s a bit tight for a mid-size. You could fit four or five medium suitcases in there, and you’ll have no issues making grocery trips. But, if you’ve got your eye on a nice chair you saw at the thrift shop, get it delivered.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2005 Pontiac G6 was the debut model for the nameplate’s 1st Generation, launching to major publicity thanks to the now-iconic giveaway on Oprah (YOU’RE getting a car!) and quietly retiring in 2010.
2005: A supercharge G6 actually debuted in 2003 as a concept car, going into full production for the 2005 model year.
2006: Pontiac added a coupe and a hard top convertible for 2006.
2007: The V6 engine got a horsepower boost to 224 for 2007, and Pontiac introduced a 227 horsepower 3.9L V6 engine.
2008: Trims and engine options were reconfigured for 2008, but there were no fundamental changes to the car itself.
2009: Pontiac offered a lighter, more efficient 2.4L engine option for 2009.
2010: The 2010 G6 featured white dashboard lights, instead of the usual red.
How Does the 2005 Pontiac G6 Compare to the Competition?
The Pontiac G6 exists in its own weird little niche of the used auto market. It’s not exactly a sports car, but it’s kinda sporty. It’s technically a sedan, but it borrows more design principles from coupes. The closest competition the car has would arguably be the 2005 Malibu.
By comparison to the leading Chevy mid-size, the Malibu is the clear winner. Both cars pack a 3.5L V6 delivering 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque, differences in fuel economy are negligible, but the Malibu is considerably roomier, and about a thousand dollars cheaper.
If you’re looking for something sportier, a 2005 Mustang is a few thousand dollars pricier, and it’s less reliable, but it goes zero to sixty in under six seconds and delivers up to 300 horsepower. The G6 is the better daily driver, but if that’s what you’re after you might as well just buy the Malibu.
