Pretty much the only way I can tell.

Who has not been fooled by the 2000 & up Grand Ams? You see one headed towards you and say to yourself, "Cool Monte Carlo." Until you get closer and realize............. it's a Pontiac.

 

The way to tell if its an 07 is to look at the rockers. If they match car color and don't have duals its an 07. It they are not painted its and 06. The LTZ of an 06 has painted rockers with duals which is the only version with duals and matched rockers.

RJ: lets not forget the Alero. It takes a while for me to tell if its a MOnte or not. Just have to wait till it gets close enough.

On a side note: I was driving home from work to day when I say this white 4th gen monte who got next to me. We drove side-by-side for a few blocks. We gave props to each others car and he gave me a the peace sign which was cool. Makes me want that car even more.