With its, sporty look, responsive power plant appealing standard features such as a driver-side air bag and four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), the
Pontiac Grand Am is poised to challenge its primary competitors, namely the
Honda Accord and
Toyota Camry. And at a base price significantly lower than both sedans, the Grand Am-
Pontiac's leading seller with more than 200,000 units moved in the 1993 model year-should expect to grab the attention of those not already loyal to the import competition.
Although little has changed for 1994, Pontiac is now offering an optional 3.1liter V6 engine, coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission. We chose this power train for our test vehicle, a Grand Am SE Sedan. Other options we selected included air conditioning, cruise control, an electric rear-window defogger, power windows, 16-inch cast aluminum wheels and touring tires, all of which brought the total price to $16,813, up from an MSRP base price of $12,614.
Our test vehicle was painted Bright White and looked very snazzy. The hood of our Grand Am SE sloped sharply to meet the front bumper, which was part of a protective housing that totally encased the car. Under the front, the bumper extended back with a cover to protect the engine from road debris. The bumper was made of tough polyurethane plastic, but it was a little softer in the front and back to better absorb the little bumps often encountered in parking lots.
Our Grand Am SE's molding was topped off by a neat chrome strip, but unfortunately the molding and chrome disappeared entirely over the wheel housings, thereby exposing the bodyside at those points.
The most arresting styling feature of the Grand Am's exterior, though, was the tough plastic bodyside cladding that was painted to match the body metal in a monochromatic paint scheme. At the top, near the middle of the door, the cladding had a kind of rippled design. The smoothness of the line was interrupted by a depression midway back, no doubt to permit the rear door to swing open.
In front, familiar wraparound headlights flanked the traditional Pontiac split grille, with the turn signal inserted on the outside bend. Fog lights and bumper-mounted sidelights added to what may sound like a busy design, but the total effect was impressively stylish.
The front and rear wheel housings were cut high into the side body, exposing the wheels entirely. In other words, we didn't even have to lean over to check for tread wear on the tires.
The massive taillights formed the rear corners of the vehicle and were separated by the trunk lid. Reverse lights were embedded below in the rear bumper, as was the license plate niche. The whole rear trunk arrangement looked to us like a pro football player complete with shoulder pads. The trunk was big enough to hold plenty of luggage and golf clubs, and it came equipped with a compact spare tire.
