| Pontiac Sunfire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pontiac (General Motors) |
| Production | 1994–2005 |
| Model years | 1995–2005 |
| Assembly | Lansing, Michigan, United States (convertible only) Lordstown, Ohio, United States Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact/sport Compact |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | J-body |
| Related | Chevrolet Cavalier |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 3/4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.1 in (2,644 mm) |
| Length | 1995–97 Sedan & 2000–05 Coupe: 182 in (4,623 mm) 1998–99 Sedan: 181.7 in (4,615 mm) 1995–99 Coupe & Convertible: 181.9 in (4,620 mm) 2000–02 Sedan: 181.8 in (4,618 mm) 2003–05 Sedan: 183.2 in (4,653 mm) |
| Width | Convertible & 1995–97 Coupe: 67.4 in (1,712 mm) 1995–97 Sedan: 67.3 in (1,709 mm) 1998–2005 Coupe & Convertible: 68.4 in (1,737 mm) Sedan: 67.9 in (1,725 mm) |
| Height | 1998–2005 Coupe: 53 in (1,346 mm) 1998–2005 Sedan: 54.7 in (1,389 mm) 1998–2005 Convertible: 53.7 in (1,364 mm) 1995–97 Coupe: 53.2 in (1,351 mm) 1995–97 Sedan: 54.8 in (1,392 mm) 1995–97 Convertible: 51.9 in (1,318 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2,605 lb (1,182 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Pontiac Sunbird |
| Successor | Pontiac G5 |
The Pontiac Sunfire is a compact car by Pontiac that was introduced for the 1995 model year to replace the Sunbird. Not only was the name changed, but dramatic styling changes were included as well. The new styling was shared with the redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier. The J platform was updated structurally to meet more stringent safety standards for the 1996 model year.
The Pontiac Sunfire went through two facelifts in its 11-year run: a small redesign in 2000 featuring the heavy plastic cladding look that was prevalent with Pontiac at the time, and a more streamlined update in 2003. In the US, the coupe was the only model available from 2003 to 2005. The sedan continued to be sold in Canada and Mexico until the end of production on June 22, 2005. GM replaced the Sunfire with the G5 for the 2006 model year in Canada and the 2007 model year in the United States.