Pontiac Montana facts for kids
The Pontiac Montana was a type of family car called a minivan. It was made by General Motors under their Pontiac brand. Before 1999, it was known as the Pontiac Trans Sport.
A special 'Montana sport package' was very popular. It made the minivan look more like a SUV. Because of this, Pontiac changed the car's name to 'Pontiac Montana' in 1999. They wanted to give it a more sporty performance image.
The Montana was redesigned in 2005. It got a taller front end to look even more like an SUV. In 2006, its name changed again to Montana SV6.
Pontiac stopped selling the Montana in the United States after 2006. But it was still sold in Canada and Mexico until 2009. The Pontiac brand itself was stopped by GM after 2010. The Montana was a very popular minivan in Canada. The factory that built the Montana closed in 2009.
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What Changed Each Year
Here's a look at the updates the Pontiac Montana received over its years:
1999: New Name and Features
The car was renamed Montana this year. It was a seven-passenger minivan. It could get 25 miles per gallon (mpg) on the highway. This was measured by the EPA. It came with front-wheel drive. There were two sizes: a regular size at 112 inches (280 cm) and a longer one at 120 inches (300 cm).
2000: Engine Upgrade
The Montana got a better engine. It was a 3.4L V6 engine. This helped it get 26 mpg on the highway. New options were added, like heated leather seats.
2001: Style and Tech Updates
Improvements included a new grille on the front. The car also got OnStar, a system for safety and navigation. The seats in the third row could now fold flat.
2002: All-Wheel Drive Arrives
Longer Montana models now had 'Versatrak' all-wheel-drive. This helped the car handle better in different conditions. Shorter models still only had front-wheel-drive. ABS brakes became standard on most models. A new 'Thunder Sport' package was introduced. It had cool features like dual hood scoops and 16-inch wheels.
2003: 'Special Value' Gets Better
The 'Special Value' model received some upgrades. It now had 60/40 split second-row seats. Other features that used to cost extra were now standard.
2004: More Options for Everyone
The 'Special Value' model was no longer offered. 'Versatrak' all-wheel drive became available on all Montana models. New entertainment options were added. These included MP3 players and XM Satellite Radio.
2005: Changes to Drive and Size
The regular-sized 112 inches (280 cm) models were no longer made. All-wheel-drive was also removed this year. ABS brakes were no longer standard. Only front-wheel drive was available for all models.
2006: The Montana SV6 Appears
The SUV-like Montana SV6 was the only model available. It could be bought with front-wheel drive or 'VersaTrack' all-wheel drive. A new, more powerful engine was available for front-wheel drive models. It was a 3.9-liter V6 with 240 horsepower (hp).
Images for kids
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The 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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2006–2009 Pontiac Montana SV6 short-wheelbase
