The Pontiac G8, Pontiac Vibe and Buick Lucerne, each in several options, were presented in two sessions each attended by about two dozen journalists.
We each test drove the various vehicles on a hilly winding 170-mile road trip trek from Santa Monica to Ojai — on some of the most famous mountain roads in Southern California.
The Vibe is one of the most unheralded small SUVs available. Spacious and featuring innovative exterior and interior design, the Vibe is ideal for a small businessperson with cargo-space needs or an economically minded family with SUV needs.
The Buick Lucerne is an industry standard, but it’s also been redesigned and offers good comfort and a smooth drive. The entry-level luxury market is a competitive car segment, so it’ll be interesting to see how the new Lucerne fits into the marketplace.
The Pontiac G8 is Pontiac’s new showcase. It’s the brand’s first full-size sedan since the Bonneville and the first rear-wheel Pontiac since 1986. It’s being touted as the most powerful (361 horsepower) car available in the United States for less than $30,000.
Article Last Updated: March 24, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.