2006 Pontiac G6 GT Hard Top Convertible

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Okay, so it's a Pontiac G6, successor to the largely unlamented Grand Am, and it's wearing impressively clean sheetmetal. The G6 is a decent car, not too far off from what a Toyota Camry would be like if Pontiac built 'em, but as a member of the bread-and-butter mid-size coupe/sedan class, there's not much to get excited about, is there?

But wait: touch a button, and this G6' roof splits open and dives into the trunk. Just like that, you've got an open-air four-seater that's ready to compete with the likes of Chrysler's Sebring and Toyota's Solara convertible. Now that's something special.

The second of two new hardtop coupes to hit the market but far from the last, the G6 convertible offers open-air fun for four as well as hardtop security, something that the competition from Ford, Chrysler and Toyota can't promise. It's also reasonably priced, with an MSRP of under $30,000. But when you're in the market for a vehicle with a complex folding hardtop, does a lower base price mean you get what you pay for?

"Low-priced" is relative, of course. The G6 convertible is still a thirty thousand-dollar car, and looks the part. The styling is lovely and clean, with smooth lines that run front to rear. The silhouette mimics that of the G6 coupe, with a more strongly raked backlight. The G6 coupe looks great with the top up as well. Pontiac's familiar family grille leads into a smooth envelope body that's devoid of protrusions or cladding. It's thematically similar to the sedan, though it doesn't share any sheetmetal with the G6 four-door. Handsome eighteen-inch wheels set the convertible apart from sedan models. GT and GTP models are available, offering performance at "sporty" and "sportier" levels.

The G6' interior is plain, but well-built. Fit and finish isn't quite up to German standards, but shoppers expecting the usual General Motors cheap plastic will be pleasantly surprised. A new, sportier steering wheel spruces things up a bit, as do red LED backlights on the instruments. There's space for four; the G6 convertible offers almost as much legroom as the sedan. With the top down though, rear-seat passengers will probably not complain about knee room. Extended doors also improve access. Heated seats, adjustable pedals and a remote starter are available to boost the luxury quotient.

The removable hardtop powers down with the touch of a button. It's a two-piece roof that splits clamshell-style, and the trunklid is double-hinged to accept it. We found the top's operation to be somewhat slower than that of the tops from Volvo or Mercedes, but once the lid is down, the G6 offers rigid construction and good protection from the wind. With the top up, our test car generated some wind noise around the A-pillars, but overall was quieter than a comparable ragtop would have been.

There's a 3.5 liter V6 under the hood. The G6 convertible accelerates as well as the sedan version, with 201 horses moving things along nicely. The 3.5 is a good powerplant, though not as sophisticated as that of the European competition. A four-speed automatic transmission puts the power to the road. The new, better-performing GTP model is also available in droptop form, with a bigger 3.9 liter V6 and 240 horsepower. Unfortunately, you can't get the six-speed manual with the G6 convertible.

The body is hardtop-stiff, and the suspension is shared with the sedan as well. The G6 is a decent-handling car, but it's more boulevard cruiser than sportster. Standard-issue MacPherson struts are used up front, with an independent multi-link rear. The front suspension is attached to a stiff hydroformed subframe that reduces noise and vibration. Twin-tube shocks and a rear stabilizer bar keep the rear end under control. In spite of these measures, the GT exhibits a lot of body roll in turns, and the handling is vague. Traction control helps, and it's available on the GT. The GTP can be had with GM's StabiliTrak stability control. Stiffer suspension components on the GTP should also improve handling, for Pontiac performance enthusiasts. Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes are standard.

The new 2006 Pontiac G6 GT convertible offers a level of sophistication formerly only available in cars costing forty-five thousand dollars and more. It's a lower-priced alternative to standard ragtops that offers the best of both worlds. It won't have the market to itself for long, however. It remains to be seen if the Volkswagen Eos, another hardtop convertible that's coming in '07 and priced similarly, will torpedo this car's hopes. For now, the 2006 Pontiac G6 GT convertible is the most reasonably-priced hardtop convertible going, with stickers starting at $28,490.

Specifications:

All specs are for the 2006 Pontiac G6 GT convertible
Length: 189.0 in.
Width: 70.6 in.
Height: 57.0 in.
Wheelbase: 112.3 in.
Cargo space: 5.8 cu.ft. (top up); 1.8 cu.ft. (top folded)
Base price: $28,490
Engine: 3.5 liter OHV V6
Drivetrain: four-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 201 @ 3800
Torque: 221 @3800
Est. mileage: 21/29
Fuel capacity: 16.4 gal.