2008 Pontiac Solstice

Summer Solstice

The Pontiac Solstice can provide top-down fun for not a whole lot of money if you can put up with a few flaws.

The Pontiac Solstice is an affordable and entertaining two-seat convertible. It comes with a choice of four-cylinder engines, one of which, called the GXP, is turbocharged to produce 260 horsepower. The Solstice handles well, but is a little rough around the edges in terms of refinement.

This turbocharged engine is the first from General Motors to come with direct injection technology, which boosts power and fuel economy by altering the way fuel is delivered to the engine's cylinders. Pontiac says the Solstice GXP accelerates from zero to 60 mph in less than 5.5 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the considerably more expensive Porsche Boxster.

Get a Pontiac Solstice price quote

The Pontiac Solstice debuted as a 2006 model to immediate accolades and quickly sold out in its initial production run. Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, it is a modern interpretation of the classic European roadster. Small and simple, it features rear-wheel drive for superior handling dynamics, two seats, and a rudimentary manually operated cloth top. It shares platforms and components with the more upscale and pricier Saturn Sky.

Find Pontiac Solstice specs

The base model remains powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces a robust 177 hp, which is about as strong as the MX-5 Miata's four-cylinder engine. A wide stance, good front-to-rear weight distribution, large 18-inch wheels and tires as well as a fully independent suspension with Bilstein shocks deliver crisp cornering abilities. As with most sporty small cars, you can expect the ride to be stiff.

The Pontiac Solstice GXP comes with a more aggressive sport suspension as well as a limited-slip rear differential that shifts power to the wheel with the most traction. Both are optional on the base Solstice. The base and GXP Solstice come with four-wheel disc brakes and either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic.

Pontiac Solstice Vehicle Summary

Special bumpers, dual polished exhaust tips, unique gauges in the instrument panel and a quicker rear axle ratio for better acceleration further set the GXP apart from the standard Solstice.

In order to keep the price below $20,000, stability control is not included and antilock brakes are optional on the base model. Antilock brakes are included on the Pontiac Solstice GXP, as is a stability control system, which intervenes with brake and throttle input to help keep the car on track on slippery roads and in tricky handling situations. (It can be switched off so that accomplished drivers will be able to kick the car’s rear end out around the curves for faster cornering.)

One of the Solstice's chief assets is its stunning looks, which are enhanced by the fact that the folding cloth top completely disappears under the rear deck lid. But there are drawbacks to the design: The small trunk is an odd shape and the top significantly cuts cargo space when lowered. Plus, the rear edges of the top must be anchored by pressing down on them to latch them to the body panel. This requires getting out of the car and is a step that no other convertible demands.

The interior looks clean and uncluttered with its cockpit-style wraparound instrument panel and stubby shifter on the high center console. But other than that, there is much not to like inside the Pontiac Solstice: There's hardly any storage space, the materials feel and look cheap and it's noisy and cramped for occupants more than six-feet tall. The low roofline also significantly impairs visibility out the side windows when the top is up, creates large blind spots, and hampers ingress and egress.

See all Pontiac models in the Pontiac Showroom

While the base car is minimally equipped (air-conditioning is even optional), to maintain a low entry price, the GXP adds features like power locks, mirrors and windows, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with accessory controls, and a driver-information display. Optional equipment includes leather upholstery, polished aluminum wheels, GM's excellent OnStar communication/safety system, various audio systems, and XM satellite radio compatibility.