Pontiac Montana
Overview of the Pontiac Montana
Learn about the Pontiac MontanaSummary
The Pontiac Montana is a minivan released between 1999 and 2006 in the United States, with sales continuing in Canada and Mexico well into 2009 due to continued popularity. It was renamed the Pontiac Montana SV6 in its second generation, starting 2005, when it gained horsepower and an SUV-like design. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, multipurpose vehicle that offers plenty of cargo space, legroom and family-friendly features, we recommend test driving different trim levels of the Montana.
Safety
As with any older vehicle, you won't find modern active safety features or interactive dashboards. However, the Montana is not without a checklist of must-haves, such as standard anti-lock brakes for traction control. In 2006, Pontiac added more airbags inside the cabin. Also in the second generation, Pontiac made structural upgrades underneath to improve crashworthiness and thereby improved crash test ratings. By 2008, child seat anchors and child safety locks on the sliding doors became standard on all trim levels.
Interior
When test-driving the Pontiac Montana, we suggest taking a look at both generations: before 2005 and between 2005 and 2009. The second row of captain's chairs tilt upward to allow room to slide into the back bench seats. Between the front and second row seats, the Pontiac Montana SV6 has a central floor console with cup holders and a food tray. Other interior features in the second generation include:
- Optional overhead storage bin
- Air conditioning—a function that some drivers claim needs frequent repair
- 12-volt power outlet
- Cloth or optional leather seats
Technology
By the end of its career, the Montana had amassed enough technical features to fit its family-sized frame, with an eight-speaker CD/MP3 sound system and backseat DVD player coming available in 2005 for the SV6. Other amenities across model years include:
- AM/FM radio and auxiliary jack
- Rear-seat audio controls
- Power sliding doors, available on higher trims
- OnStar telematics communication system for the SV6
Space
Space is not in short supply in the Pontiac Montana and Pontiac Montana SV6. For even more cargo room—or for helping your friend move—the back bench can be removed from the car, giving way to several additional cubic feet. The Montana is one of the few minivans to provide seating for eight.
Comfort
The Montana was designed for long-haul trips with the family. For more power than the 3.5 L engine, look for the 3.9 L V6 available on newer versions. Four-speed automatic transmission and both front- and all-wheel drive are offered on this vehicle. The smooth ride can be tuned to deliver sharper handling with the optional sport suspension.
Pros and cons of the Pontiac Montana
- Family-friendly vehicle
- Long list of options available
- Lots of cargo space
- Ceased production in 2009
- Base V6 low on power
- Third-row seats can be difficult to remove
Specifications of the Pontiac Montana
Key specifications available across all trim levels- Seats7
- Doors5
- Fuel typeGas
- TransmissionAutomatic
- City consumption12.6 - 13.8 L/100km
- Highway consumption8.3 - 9.5 L/100km
- Width1818 - 1830 mm
- Length4849 - 5222 mm
- Trunk space498 - 762 L
- Cargo space501 - 3865 L
Trims available with the Pontiac Montana
What is a trim? Trims are different options of the same car with different features and equipment. The specs depend on the trim you choose.This variant of the Pontiac Montana 2005 - 2009 is available in 4 trims:Basic trim features and specs
Available with the Basic trim:
- Electrically adjustable front seats (optional)
- Heated front seats (optional)
- Leather steering wheel (optional)
- Multifunction steering wheel (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- Power steering
Available with the Basic trim:
- Alloy wheels (optional)
- Four-wheel drive (optional)
- Steel wheels (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Sliding door on left hand side
- Sliding door on right hand side
Available with the Basic trim:
- Four-wheel drive
- Side airbag (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Disc brakes
- Dusk sensor
- Electronic traction control (optional)
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Stability control (optional)
Available with the Basic trim:
- CD disc changer (optional)
- Computer (optional)
- Cruise control (optional)
- Rear sensors (optional)
Available across all trims:
- CD player
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Satellite radio (optional)
1SA trim features and specs
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- Power steering
Available with the 1SA trim:
- Alloy wheels (optional)
- Long wheel base
- Medium wheel base
- Steel wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Sliding door on left hand side
- Sliding door on right hand side
Available with the 1SA trim:
- Side airbag (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Disc brakes
- Dusk sensor
- Electronic traction control (optional)
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Stability control (optional)
Available with the 1SA trim:
- Bluetooth (optional)
- Cruise control (optional)
Available across all trims:
- CD player
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Satellite radio (optional)
1SB trim features and specs
Available with the 1SB trim:
- Electrically adjustable front seats (optional)
- Tire repair kit (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- Power steering
Available with the 1SB trim:
- Alloy wheels (optional)
- Long wheel base
- Medium wheel base
- Steel wheels
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Sliding door on left hand side
- Sliding door on right hand side
Available with the 1SB trim:
- Side airbag (optional)
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Disc brakes
- Dusk sensor
- Electronic traction control (optional)
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Stability control (optional)
Available with the 1SB trim:
- Bluetooth (optional)
- CD disc changer (optional)
- Computer
- Cruise control
Available across all trims:
- CD player
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Satellite radio (optional)
1SC trim features and specs
Available with the 1SC trim:
- 2 climate zones (optional)
- Electrically adjustable front seats
- Heated front seats (optional)
- Leather steering wheel
- Multifunction steering wheel
- Tire repair kit (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Center arm rest between front seats
- Electric windows
- Emergency wheel
- Power steering
Available with the 1SC trim:
- Alloy wheels
- Four-wheel drive (optional)
- Long wheel base
- Medium wheel base
Available across all trims:
- Daytime running lights
- Door mirrors electrically adjustable
- Sliding door on left hand side
- Sliding door on right hand side
Available with the 1SC trim:
- Four-wheel drive
- Side airbag
- Tire pressure indicator (optional)
Available across all trims:
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Disc brakes
- Dusk sensor
- Electronic traction control (optional)
- Front-driver airbag
- Front-passenger airbag
- Front-wheel drive
- Stability control (optional)
Available with the 1SC trim:
- Bluetooth (optional)
- CD disc changer (optional)
- Computer
- Cruise control
- Navigation system (optional)
- Rear sensors (optional)
Available across all trims:
- CD player
- MP3-CD player
- Power door locks
- Radio
- Satellite radio (optional)
Frequently asked questions about the Pontiac Montana
The Pontiac Montana offers a V6 engine in 3.4, 3.5 or 3.9 L displacements depending on model year and trim package, with the higher-displacement sport packages delivering the most horsepower.
The Pontiac Montana is a minivan—ideal for families with three or more children. They are commonly four-door, but some early editions have only one sliding passenger door.
Expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000 depending on year, condition and trim. MSRP for a Pontiac Montana SV6 when new was approximately $25,000.
Front-wheel drive is standard across all Pontiac Montana trim levels. All-wheel drive became an option in later model years but was removed for the 2007.
The Pontiac Montana has three rows of seats for seven passengers—some editions remarkably fitting up to eight. Look for second and third rows that fold flat or remove entirely.