At lunch today, several of your favorite editors piled into our long-term 2008 Pontiac G8 GT. There was a sale at Fred Segal. (You can't live in LA if you're not shallow, so don't bother telling us we're shallow and extravagant. We already know.) I rode in the G8's backseat on the way there and couldn't believe how roomy and comfortable it was. On the way back, our copy editor Doug Lloyd (6'-1") took a turn in back and proclaimed it equally so.
I realize the Pontiac G8 is big and thus should be comfortable, but I'd honestly thought its Australian-market packaging would make it tight in back. On the contrary, this backseat is as comfy as a Toyota Avalon's.
Erin Riches, Inside Line Senior Editor
joefrompa says:
08:39 PM, 09/26/08
One of the best backseats my buns have had the pleasure of bombasting. I love the tilt to the seat back and seat bottom....just fantastic.
If this car drives small for how large it is, it's going to be tempting me one day.
Joe
festiboi1 says:
04:40 PM, 09/27/08
As an Aussie, it comes as no surprise that the G8's backseat is large enough to accomodate Americans. The US and Australia really aren't that much different; we're two young countries with tonnes of open land and we like to stretch out. Our taste in large, comfortable cars that can cover long distances is parallel. Sadly, like America, we are getting obese and have been recently declared the fattest country in the world.
dougtheeng says:
06:15 AM, 09/29/08
The backseat is indeed huge and comfortable. Its easy to forget how large this car truly is until you sit in it.
m_thrizzle says:
09:43 AM, 09/29/08
Do the rear seats have any reclining capability?
corollasman says:
10:30 AM, 09/29/08
I'm surprised nobody made any sexual comments about the backseats yet. I guess I'll be the first. You guys should use this car for the next trip to Vegas and have fun in the rear with two Vegas hotties. Boooyow!!!
bankerdanny says:
01:00 PM, 09/29/08
I had that same thought when I sat in one at the Chicago Auto Show last Feb.
Great head and leg room. I'm 6-4 and fit very comfortably behind the front seat that I had just adjusted to fit me.
The Charger offers good leg room, but my head hits the rear window (I am seriously tired of the super sloping sedan rear window trend)
klossfam says:
07:30 AM, 09/30/08
Best back seat I've EVER sat in (next to a Lexus LS long wheel base)...I'm 6'3" and 230...Tons of room in all locations. Hyundai Genesis is only thing close in a car less than 200" long...
cocarguydj says:
08:17 AM, 09/30/08
The rear seat is definitely very large, and quite comfortable. It is no trouble to put 5 men in the car for a trip to lunch. And that was with a 6'5" guy sitting directly behind a 6'2" guy. As the driver I am the smallest of the five at 5'10".
Joe - The car really does drive like it is a much smaller car than it actually is. The handling is superb and visibility is excellent from the driver's seat. You should definitely test drive one. The only real complaint that I have with the car after nearly 9,000 miles is that road/wind noise is a little on the loud side, but is almost completely unnoticed if you are listening to the radio.
m_thrizzle - The rear seats do not have any adjustability in the G8.