Pontiac G8 3.6L V6

Ask an average Australian about the latest Pontiac-purveyed product from his (or her) homeland and you’re likely to be stricken with a few derogatory nicknames for the vehicle that play off the ‘common’ sounding name of the Holden Commodore. Made popular as a fleet vehicle and the traditional family hauler, the Commodore has a less-than-stellar reputation Down Under when it comes to exciting sports sedans. But to this American’s eyes, the G8 is the rebirth of the Everyman American sedan.The mild-mannered power of a well-made naturally aspirated V6 might be just the ticket for balancing big-sedan comfort with mid-sized efficiency - though that’s up for debate as well - but it sure isn’t what you’d expect from the aggressive looks and Aussie-bred demeanor of the new Pontiac G8. Despite the less-than-impressive performance, however, almost everything else remains the same as its bigger brother, and without the intoxicating aroma of the big V8 found under the hood of the G8’s GT variant, the true essence of the car is easier to discern. Few other publications have tested the V6 variant. Is it possible that the ego-enhancing effects of a large-displacement V8 have skewed the results in favor of an otherwise bland car?At first blush the G8 is an exciting car. The styling isn’t typical of the last half-decade of American cars, though the past year or two have brought some interesting competition. It has an air about it that certainly impresses more than the Grand Am or Grand Prix ever did, at least for this reviewer. Even the also-Australian GTO, beloved by some but detested by many as heretical to the original Goat, didn’t offer the combination of utility, visceral appeal and affordability that the G8 brings to the table. The athletic, forward-biting stance and angular lines give the car purpose, and though the front end may be a bit overwrought, it clearly brands the car a Pontiac, and makes it recognizable from blocks away. But a good first impression isn’t enough to carry the day anymore - buyers are looking for well-built, easy-driving, safe and efficient transport more than ever before.The quick verdict: the G8 manages to rise to the challenge for the most part, and its few foibles are not significant enough to justify its relegation to the ‘also-ran’ list. Perhaps even more importantly, there is unlocked potential in this car - it could be great, with just a little help. Handling is as good as you can expect from an affordable large sedan, with a predictable and capable nature that speaks of a well-designed chassis tuned for comfort over speed.The second most confusing element of the G8’s interior is the complete lack of satellite navigation availability. It’s understood that the car is targeted at the mid-range of the large-sedan market, and that with too many more options it would begin to encroach on the Cadillac CTS’ territory, at least on paper - the build quality difference is vast - but would it be too much to equip a basic touchscreen unit to show the way in foreign territory? The upside is that there's ample room on the dash and windshield for fitment of an aftermarket unit.Aftermarket units won’t be able to take advantage of the nice built-in display, however. Apparently limited to just three colors - black, red and white - since that is all it displayed during our week with it - the screen is nevertheless high-resolution and attractively styled with easy-to-read graphics and script. But it’s almost laughably complex given its function as display unit for the admirably full-featured on-board computer. Those familiar with the Saturn Astra and any number of other newer GM products will appreciate the fine-grained detail available from the unit, but why it needs a space-hogging display with fidgety soft-buttons is simply inexplicable.That said, the G8 is a mostly brilliant car, inside and out, especially for the price point. It offers truly full-size proportions - easily accommodating four six-foot-plus passengers with knee-room and head-room to spare - and very comfortable, attractive seating. The leather upholstery didn’t feel premium-quality, but it did feel supple and durable, two strong traits in a car that will see regular use. The rear seat bench was oddly a bit easy to dislodge, though that may have been an issue specific to our particular vehicle, and at any rate did not cause any issues during its use.The trunk is capacious in the extreme, and with a broad and tall opening, actually getting large things into it shouldn’t be a problem. The rear seats don’t fold down, however, featuring only a pass-through for long, skinny objects - not that you’d need much more in the way of room in the trunk, and if you do, Pontiac has you covered with the G8 ST.Only one major quibble is to be had with the G8: the 3.6L 256hp (190kW) V6 engine. It’s a good engine for what it is, and it’s adequate, even ample, for almost everything you can legally do on public roads. But it’s lacking the ‘bigness’ that the rest of the car exudes. Enlivened with a torquey and character-full V8, plus some more sport-oriented - but still liveable - shocks and springs, this car could be a real powerhouse, and that’s precisely what the GT and GXP variants offer. We’ll have to wait until we’re presented with the opportunity to review one to decide how well Pontiac has managed to tap the obvious potential of the base G8, however.That one quibble is really no quibble at all in the end, since buyers of the G8 V6 will enter the bargain knowingly. At a premium of just $1,500 for the V8, buying the V6 makes no sense to us. The fuel economy certainly doesn’t justify it, even if you achieve the rated figures of 17mpg city and 25mpg highway, which ended up being very close to our observed 16.7mpg city and 24mpg highway. The V8 is rated very closely at 15mpg city and 24mpg highway, making so little difference as to matter not at all, financially or ecologically. At that point, driving style will determine real-world efficiency more than engine choice. And GM has proven its torquey V8s are capable of excellent fuel mileage when the driver can keep their foot out of the accelerator.Bottom-line verdict on the G8 is that you’d be hard-pressed to buy more in the way of a large sedan for the price, and though the styling, both inside and out, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s a far cry from the bland offerings of a few years ago. And for those with a mind for slowly upgrading a car as they go, the G8 GT, or better yet, the GXP, could be one of the best platforms to come along in years.