2003 PONTIAC Grand Prix 5.3L V8 4AT FWD (307 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Pontiac introduced the last generation of the Grand Prix in 2003 as a deluxe sport sedan with increased interior quality and a better suspension.

The Grand Prix lineup was born in 1962 in the muscle-car era and evolved as a personal luxury car, but had more in common with Pontiac Catalina. Over time, its designation in the Pontiac lineup changed and became just another sports sedan. By 2003, GM’s management decided not to offer the vehicle in a rental car spec. But that came with the cost of a drop in sales, which eventually led to the model disappearance in 2008 when the G8 replaced it for the four-door sedan and the GTO for the coupe version.

While it shared the same W-body platform from the third generation as its stablemates Chevrolet Impala/Monte Carlo and Buick LaCrosse, the Grand Prix looked sportier. Its split grille was very recognizable, while the big, triangular headlights resembled a pair of angry eyes. In the bumper, Pontiac installed wide fog lights on the outer section. The cab-rearward left the impression of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, even though it lost that feature since 1987 when the carmaker launched the fifth generation. Its sloped rear windscreen made the car looked more like a four-door coupe than a regular sedan.

Inside, the carmaker dropped the cheap plastic dashboard and door cards from its predecessor and installed Audi-like materials. Pontiac improved even details such as door handles, gear selector, steering wheel, and buttons. Pontiac left no stone unturned and replaced or improved 80% of the car over its predecessor.

Under the hood, Pontiac still used the old pushrod 3.8-liter V-6 as the base version, upgraded with the help of a supercharger for the GTP trim-level. Both were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.