2009 Pontiac Solstice Trims and Specs

Bucking the manufacturing trend, the Solstice arrived as a convertible, and now four years later a hardtop version appears in dealerships. Excepting the fixed roof with a removable glass panel, the Solstice Coupe is identical in configuration to the Base convertible trim, with the same 2.4-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission, traction and stability control, and rear limited-slip differential. 18-inch alloy wheels hide 4-wheel antilock discs, and the same list of standard comfort, convenience and luxury features are found inside. That means a tilt steering wheel and bucket seats including power and height adjustment for the driver. The stereo is MP3 friendly and comes with satellite radio and a digital media connection. For safety, a theft-deterrent system and one year of OnStar are both included.

The 2009 Pontiac Solstice starts with an appropriately named Base trim level in this drop-top roadster. Powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Solstice comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission for all your sporting aspirations, helped by a limited-slip rear differential as well as traction and stability control. Top-dropping duties are handled by a power soft top with a glass rear window equipped with a defogger. Even as an entry trim, the Base comes well apportioned, with 4-wheel antilock discs, a power driver’s bucket with height adjustment, tilt steering wheel, satellite radio with digital media connection and one year of OnStar. Headlights are automatic here, and a theft-deterrent system is included. Especially notable for a base trim are the 18-inch alloys the Solstice rolls on.

For those looking for the impracticality of a roadster without the fun of a convertible, the GXP Coupe trim of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice offers a hard top with a removable glass panel. Front bucket seats can still be bathed in sunlight then – as long as the sun is directly overhead – and the driver will enjoy power for his perch as well as height adjustment. The tilt steering wheel is wrapped in leather and has cruise and stereo controls for the satellite-ready system, which comes with Bluetooth and a digital media connection. A full power package includes windows, doors, locks and remote keyless entry. Power comes in the form of a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and is delivered via a 5-speed manual transmission through a rear limited-slip differential. Safety is handled by traction and stability control, 4-wheel antilock discs, a theft-deterrent system and one year of OnStar.

With more power from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the GXP trim of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice comes closest to meeting the sports-car aspirations of this American roadster. This is reinforced by a sport suspension, foglights and a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, but convenience and luxury haven’t been ignored. You’ll also find a full power package including the top, mirrors, windows, locks and remote keyless entry, as well as Bluetooth added to the satellite-ready CD/MP3 player, which sports a digital media connection. The steering wheel gains radio controls, and the driver benefits from cruise here, as well as power and height adjustment for his bucket seat. A 5-speed manual is still the transmission of choice, and things are kept civil via features like traction and stability control, a rear limited-slip differential and 4-wheel antilock discs hiding behind 18-inch polished alloy wheels.