1997 Pontiac Grand AM Interior Review at Automotive.com
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Pontiac
Grand AM
1997

1997 Pontiac Grand AM Review: Interior

Below is a full, detailed 1997 Pontiac Grand AM review and road test from New Car Test Drive. A full evaluation of price, equipment, the driving experience, and specs are all here in a structured, easy-to-navigate format from journalists with limitless ...     read more
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1997 Pontiac Grand AM Review

Stylin' into its second decade.
Interior
Pontiac paid particular attention to redesigning the interior last year.

Improvements include a new instrument panel with new analog instrumentation

that glows in orange and red at night for a racy, cockpit appearance, which

is consistent with Pontiac's carefully cultivated performance image trademark

touch. The instrument package includes a tachometer for all models.

There's new door trim, integrated cup holders and an overall improvement

in ergonomics, making secondary controls a littler easier to find and use.

Dual airbags are standard.

In general, we think the updates work, making the Grand Am as user friendly

as many of its more contemporary competitors.

The driver sits low in the cockpit, behind a properly proportioned steering

wheel. The gauges are immediately in front and clearly visible.

The steering wheel includes wheel-mounted radio controls, though we

found it easy to change tuning by mistake while driving. Misplace a palm,

and Vivaldi suddenly gives way to Van Halen. However, the main controls

for the Grand Am's standard AM/FM radio are conveniently located, with

large controls that make adjustments easy, even at night.

For '97, Pontiac has made air conditioning standard, and all climate

controls are located just below the stereo controls. We prefer this stacking

priority, since radio adjustments are more common when the car is moving.

Three large knobs make changing temperatures a breeze.

The center console features cup holders and storage beneath the center

armrest, supplemented by door map pockets and a glove box. The front bucket

seats are supportive, while avoiding some of the claustrophobic proportions

common to the sports GT genre.

There's plenty of room up front, and the coupe offers nearly as much

rear seat room as the sedan. However, rear seat leg room isn't the Grand

Am's strongest suit compared to its newer competitors. Next Page


1997 Pontiac Grand AM