The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix carves out its own little niche between coupe and sedan, sports car and family four-door. Some may find it an odd fit, neither as agile nor as powerful as a dedicated muscle car, and not as comfortable as a dedicated family car. If you’ve only got the budget for one vehicle, you might as well get your weekday car and your weekend car in the same package.
Is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The mid-range GT model is easily an 8/10, but the high-end GXP is a mediocre muscle car, and the entry-level Base lacks basic features you expect in a V6 sedan, like anti-lock brakes.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Comfortable seats and reliable suspension are offset by some awkward design choices and a bit of a rough ride on bumpy roads.
- Reliability 7/10 – The transmission and engine should give you few problems, but small repairs will add up, and typical life expectancy runs about 25,000 miles short of a typical 2006 sedan.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test scores are decent, but anti-lock brakes and traction control aren’t available in the entry-level model.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The 2006 Grand Prix is more efficient than a muscle car, but not as efficient as a typical sedan.
- Value 8/10 – A mid-range GT is a pretty good value, selling for around forty dollars more than the entry-level model, and a thousand bucks less than the GXP.
What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Consumer Reports found the Grand Prix to be fairly mediocre, with the outsized exterior hiding a cramped interior, coupe-inspired body design limiting driver visibility, and the overall ride and feel of the car being stiff, numb, and noisy. They didn’t like the weak braking, either.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 Grand Prix a very strong 93% recommendation, praising the car’s reliable engine and transmission, fun driving feel, powerful V8 engine, and strong all-weather performance. The biggest complaints mostly come down to build quality issues with paint peeling and rear seats wearing out.
Edmunds liked the Grand Prix’s engines, both the V8 and the supercharged V6. They found the control layout intuitive and the ride comfortable. They note that the handling can be a bit awkward, too tight in some cases, numb in others, and they report that the interior could use more cup holders, slots, and pockets.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Have?
The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix has 238 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 64 of these are for electrical issues, with drivers reporting melted fuses and fidgety switches and instruments. The most worrying reports have to do with electrical fires under the hood.
A recall was issued in 2009 to address broken steering knuckles resulting in loss of steering control. The recall covered fewer than one thousand units, but a handful of complaints for steering loss have continued to roll in as late as 2021, many being for loss of power steering and steering fluid leaks.
There are 32 engine complaints and 61 powertrain complaints on file for the 2006 Grand Prix, making up around a third of the total. Drivers report engine stall, and excessive oil consumption despite an absence of visible leaks.
The 2006 Grand Prix has just 2 recalls on file with the NHTSA, with the most recent being a 2014 recall for nearly six million GM units with ignition switches turning off due to heavy key rings.
How Long Will the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Last?
Pontiacs generally have a good track record for longevity with many Grand Prix owners reporting an average mileage of 225,000 miles before the engine and transmission repairs start to pile up. Expect to reach a maximum of 250,000 miles if you’re lucky, 200,000 if the car wasn’t in great shape when you found it.
Repairpal estimate a typical annual maintenance cost of around $462, with the most expensive common fix being a new catalytic converter starting at around $1,686.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2006 Grand Prix isn’t bad for the model year. CD players come standard, you’ve got a decent 6-speaker sound system, and optional upgrades like 6-disc changers and Monsoon premium speakers.
Safety technology in the 2006 Grand Prix is good in the mid-range and high-end models, but lacking in the entry-level trim, as anti-lock brakes and traction control are not included as standard features.
Is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix a Good Value?
The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix is a decent value, but you’re only getting a really good deal with a mid-range GT. The entry-level sedan typically lists at around $4,498, so the GT upgrade is a no-brainer at $5,032. The high-end GXP typically sells for around $6,066, and there are better cars to be had in that price range.
Most of the repairs you’ll be making will be cheap here-and-there electrical fixes, new wires and fuses and so on. Fuel economy is decent at 19/28 in the mid-range GT. So, overall, cost of ownership is lower than average.
What are the Different Models of the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix’s trim list is short and sweet with just three models ranging from the self-explanatory Base to the high-end GXP.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- CD player with 6 speakers
- Cloth seating
- Cruise control
- Power windows and door locks
The mid-range GT adds:
- Fog lights
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- Power-adjust seating
- Leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Stainless steel dual exhaust
In a top-of-the-line GXP you’re getting all that, plus:
- HUD projecting driver information onto the windshield
- Security package with additional airbags
- 18″ polished aluminum wheels
What Engines Come In the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- The Base 2006 Grand Prix comes with a 3.8L V6 delivering 200 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque at an average mileage of 20/30 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front-wheel drive.
- In the mid-range GT you’ve got a supercharged version of the 3.8L V6, cranking the horsepower up to 260 and the torque to 280 lb.-ft. with an average MPG of 19/28. Like in the Base model, this engine is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front-wheel drive.
- At the top of the line you have a muscly 5.3L V8 delivering 303 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft. of torque at 18/27 miles to the gallon. Just like the Base and GT, this is paired to a 4-speed automatic in front-wheel drive, and it can hit zero to sixty in just six seconds.
What Colors Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Drivers generally find the 2006 Grand Prix to be pretty comfortable, with 54 inches of rear hip room, a spacious front row, and nice firm seats. Taller passengers may find head room a bit lacking, and some reviewers have noted that the suspension can feel a bit stiff on bumpy roads.
The shocks and struts have held up well over the years, with just 10 suspension complaints on file with the NHTSA after nearly twenty years on the road.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Have?
The 2006 Grand Prix offers up 16 cubic feet of trunk space, and you can fold the seats down to expand that to 47 cubic feet. Storing awkwardly-shaped items or furniture may be a no-go, as this is a sedan, after all, and not a hatchback. But if you’re talking standard cargo you can pack a dozen suitcases back there.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Pontiac Grand Prix’s 8th Generation ran from 2004 to 2008, making the 2006 edition the third model year for the eighth gen. The nameplate was retired after the launch of the 2008 model.
2003: Pontiac dropped the coupe models in 2003, making the Grand Prix a sedan-exclusive.
2004: The brand new 8th Gen model launched with a Series III 3.8L V6 engine on a GM W chassis.
2005: Pontiac debuted the muscly GXP model in 2005.
2006: No big changes for 2006.
2007: New features for 2007 included heated leather seats, and the GXP’s V8 engine was updated, though performance specs remain largely the same.
2008: Pontiac dropped the mid-range GT model for the Grand Prix’s final year.
How Does the 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix Compare to the Competition?
The 2006 Grand Prix is in an awkward position of being too expensive at the entry level, where it’s outclassed on most fronts by cheaper cars like the $4,000 Ford Taurus, and not impressive enough at the high-end, where the Dodge Charger and Ford Mustang deliver a superior muscle car experience.
Where the Grand Prix excels is in the middle area. Pontiac intended this car to be a happy compromise between coupe and sedan styling, as well as sport and family car performance. As such, it occupies its own little corner of the used car market as a versatile, capable all-arounder that’s fun to drive, affordable, and practical.
