By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
The Pontiac Sunfire has a serious look of performance; unfortunately the car doesn't back it up. The Sunfire SE evaluated here had the base engine with 120 hp mated to a 4 speed automatic. While 120 hp is on par with the competition, the Sunfire didn't feel that powerful.
The test car had weak handling characteristics; the steering was touchy and the suspension made the car push hard in tight corners. While some of these things can be blamed on strong winds or thin tires not all can be swept under the carpet. Many of these things, I believe, would be solved in the Sunfire GT model that has stout tires and a sport-tuned suspension.
On the inside; the dash gauge package was good. It included large easy to read gauges, but at night it was illuminated with red light that was harsh on the eyes. Passengers have enough headroom in front and adults can fit in the back but may not be comfortable for a long trip. The front seats were supportive and comfortable with manual adjustment. The rear seat is a one piece fold down design, which is rare these days. You can't fold down the rear seat if you have three people in the car. The trunk is generous in size but has limited access for larger items due to the small opening.
The biggest issue with the interior was more personal preference than anything. The seats were covered in red fabric and the door panels had red accent trim. It was a color only a 'Gen Xer' could love. Our Sunfire SE also carried Hard Rock Live badging identifying it as a special edition. Pontiac Sunfire is the major sponsor to the show Hard Rock Live on VH-1.
Standard safety features such as dual airbags, safety cage construction and anti-lock brakes are plentiful. Options on the evaluated Sunfire included tilt steering, air conditioning, rear window defroster intermittent wipers, rear spoiler and the Hard Rock Live badges.
Through its downfalls, the Sunfire rises with good fit and finish and the best exterior design in its class (Neon, Civic and Escort ZX2). EPA rated gas mileage for the Sunfire is 25 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. Running around town with little highway driving during the week, I achieved 28 mpg. Base price was $12,059 with options and destination the total as tested price came to $15,730. While it may cost a bit more, I would recommend the Sunfire GT with better performance and handling traits.