2001 Pontiac Sunfire

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(4.2) 12 reviews
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2001 Pontiac Sunfire
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Key Specs

of the 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. Base trim shown.

2001 Pontiac Sunfire Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
The Sunfire loses its convertible body style for 2001, while the two-door coupe and four-door sedan versions of this front-drive compact return with minor changes. The Sunfire is built from the same design as the Chevrolet Cavalier, which also drops its convertible body style.

The Sunfire is Pontiac’s lowest-priced model, and the automaker is considering whether it needs a small passenger car. The Sunfire may be replaced around 2003 by a car-based sport wagon along the lines of the Aztek.



Exterior
The Sunfire has different front and rear styling than the Cavalier and presents a sportier personality. All models have a standard rear spoiler, and the SE coupe and sedan come with side ribs and rocker-panel moldings. The GT model comes only as a coupe and has standard fog lights.



Interior
All models have seats for five, a floor-mounted transmission shift lever and a standard center console that includes a padded armrest; storage slots for coins, tapes and CDs; and two cupholders for the front seats. A cassette player is now standard on the SE models, matching the GT.



Under the Hood
SE models come with a 115-horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. A dual camshaft 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 150 hp is standard on the GT coupe and optional on the SEs. Both engines are shared with the Cavalier and are available with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.



Performance
The Sunfire and its Cavalier cousin aren’t the most refined or best performing ...
Vehicle Overview
The Sunfire loses its convertible body style for 2001, while the two-door coupe and four-door sedan versions of this front-drive compact return with minor changes. The Sunfire is built from the same design as the Chevrolet Cavalier, which also drops its convertible body style.

The Sunfire is Pontiac’s lowest-priced model, and the automaker is considering whether it needs a small passenger car. The Sunfire may be replaced around 2003 by a car-based sport wagon along the lines of the Aztek.



Exterior
The Sunfire has different front and rear styling than the Cavalier and presents a sportier personality. All models have a standard rear spoiler, and the SE coupe and sedan come with side ribs and rocker-panel moldings. The GT model comes only as a coupe and has standard fog lights.



Interior
All models have seats for five, a floor-mounted transmission shift lever and a standard center console that includes a padded armrest; storage slots for coins, tapes and CDs; and two cupholders for the front seats. A cassette player is now standard on the SE models, matching the GT.



Under the Hood
SE models come with a 115-horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. A dual camshaft 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 150 hp is standard on the GT coupe and optional on the SEs. Both engines are shared with the Cavalier and are available with a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.



Performance
The Sunfire and its Cavalier cousin aren’t the most refined or best performing subcompacts, but both are good values among small cars. They come with a generous helping of standard features, including antilock brakes, air conditioning and a rear window defogger — items that are optional on some rivals.
 
Reported by Rick Popely  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2001 Buying Guide

Latest 2001 Sunfire Stories

See all 2001 Pontiac Sunfire articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.2
12 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.0)
Performance
(4.1)
Interior Design
(3.9)
Comfort
(4.3)
Reliability
(4.1)
Value For The Money
(4.3)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Best car I've ever owned

by arbovia from Portland, Tennessee on October 11, 2017

I got this car for free and have been fixing it up for the past year; now, it gets ~26 mpg and that number has only gone up every few months. I only want to upgrade my car so that I will have 4 doors ... Read full review

(4.0)

Very useful car!

by sammi from pennsylvania on December 28, 2013

when I recieved this car from my grandfather earlier this year, I discovered that he had really beat this thing up... I mean REALLY neglected and abused it. There was obvious water damage inside the ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2001 Pontiac Sunfire currently has 0 recalls

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2001 Pontiac Sunfire has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Sunfire received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker