Pontiac G5 GT: First Drive
Pontiac dealers are happy they now have an entry-level car offering in the G5, and early sales have been brisk. But if there’s one thing we frown upon it’s when carmakers take one model — here the Chevrolet Cobalt — slap new emblems on the hood and trunk and call it a different car. The G5 does nothing the Cobalt doesn’t, it will just be sold in a different place.
David Thomas: During one drive in the G5 with Kelsey we talked about how competitive this segment is and where the G5 would rank. Even in GT trim with a more powerful 173-hp engine, over the base 148 hp, the G5 offered paltry acceleration and lukewarm handling. My only surprise was the braking — there are discs on all four wheels — which made the finally-up-to-speed G5 slow down with nary a quiver. I just can’t see myself recommending a $17,795 G5 GT over competition like the Honda Civic, Mazda3 or even the Scion tC.
Kelsey Mays: Cobalt you see, Cobalt you get. Apart from some very minor equipment and price differences, there’s really no reason to buy this car instead of Chevrolet’s alternative. As Dave noted, the four-wheel disc brakes felt much firmer than those in the Cobalt LS I drove last year, which had drum brakes in the rear. But for a similar experience, you can buy a Cobalt SS coupe with the 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder. Pontiac pulled this stunt with the Sunfire, but even that car had a distinct exterior to set it apart from its Chevrolet Cavalier sibling. Besides a Pontiac grille, there’s even less differentiation this time around. Yawn.
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