2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe Review

Overview

The Pontiac Solstice Coupe is a small two-door sports car that features a dramatic new look. It is inspired by the original coupe concept vehicle that was launched at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For 2009, the two-door, two-passenger Solstice coupe gets a removable one-piece roof panel of the targa variety. The coupe comes in base and GXP trim levels and is regarded as a soft top roadster.

Power and performance

Underneath the bonnet of the 2009 Solstice Coupe base model is a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine. The GXP trim derives power from a 260-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive setup are standard features. A five-speed automatic gearbox is available. The Solstice Coupe is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty; 5-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty; 6-year/100,000-mile corrosion warranty; and 5-year/100,000-mile roadside assistance warranty.

Body and styling

Key standard interior and exterior features on the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe include hydraulic power rack-and-pinion steering system; 18-inch aluminum wheels; bucket seats; remote keyless entry; power windows; power door locks; limited-slip rear differential; cruise control and fog lamps; one-year OnStar integrated in-vehicle system; CD Player; and AM/FM stereo system. Chrome wheels and Bluetooth connectivity are available as options. The Solstice coupe's cabin remains much the same as that of the convertible. However, the area behind the seats has been restyled to provide easy access to the trunk and a storage tray has been mounted behind the headrests for convenience.

Safety Features

All-speed traction control; electronic stability control; driver airbag; passenger airbag; four-wheel disc brakes; four-wheel ABS; daytime running lights; passenger airbag on/off switch; and tire pressure monitoring system are some of the standard safety systems found on the Solstice Coupe models.