Pontiac Solstice

For much of the past four decades, the affordable roadster segment has consisted solely of cars hailing from England or Japan. Now, however, there's another choice, and this time it's built right here in America. The winner of an Edmunds.com Most Significant Award, the Pontiac Solstice finally brings real excitement to the Pontiac brand.

The Pontiac Solstice began its life as a concept vehicle at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. After it received rave reviews and plenty of public interest, Pontiac decided to fast-track the creation of a production model. The company wisely kept the concept's styling nearly intact. Big 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, fluid lines and a smooth, retro-style front end give the car a very distinctive look.

Automotive consumers interested in an affordable roadster will find a lot to like about the Pontiac Solstice. Its fluid exterior styling is certainly its most dramatic attribute, and it turns heads just about everywhere it goes. The Solstice also boasts a fun-to-drive nature and, in GXP trim, considerable performance potential.

However, our editors recommend taking Pontiac's latest for a long test-drive before settling on a purchase. Many of the car's downsides, such as a lack of storage and a fussy top operation mechanism, might be missed when one is swept up by the car's dramatic good looks and new-car hype.