2006 Pontiac G6 Rear

Sharing the same basic stuff as the Chevy Malibu and Saab 9-3 – all of which are based on some Euro machine called the Opel Vectra – the G6 can make more ambitious promises than could the Grand Am it replaced. (Strangely, GM markets it as the sportiest version of the three yet sticks it with an extra-long 112-inch wheelbase.) A 200-horsepower V6 sedan with a 4-speed automatic was the only choice in the G6's first year, but for 2006 it adds a bigger 3.9-liter V6 with 240 horsepower and an entry-level 4-cylinder with 177, which is stronger than the Malibu's 4-cylinder. Coupe and convertible variants are also new and come only with the V6s. Sadly, the twin-cam GXP concept version did not materialize.