Overview & Reviews

For 47 years, the Pontiac Bonneville was a constant sight on Pontiac's dealership lots. Very few nameplates have lasted that long, and even fewer belonged to mainstream vehicles that were neither luxury nor sports cars. Like other long-lasting, everyman models from America's domestic automakers, the Bonneville subsequently experienced the major trends that swept through its brand and the auto industry as a whole during its lifetime, serving as a telling chronicle of what we've driven over the years.

Named after the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where many land speed record attempts are made, the first Pontiac Bonneville debuted in 1957 as a tail-finned, high-performance convertible based on the Star Chief. It was the brand's top-line model and coupe, sedan and even wagon variants followed shortly thereafter. Through the late 1950s and '60s, the Bonneville earned a reputation for being both luxurious and performance-oriented thanks to generous power outputs from some of its big, muscle-car-era V8s. Today, some of these early Bonnevilles are highly prized as collector cars.

As with other cars during the Nixon era, the Pontiac Bonneville lost its performance edge as new governmental regulations went into effect. The biggest change occurred after the second gas shortage of the 1970s, when for 1977 Pontiac downsized the Bonneville into a more fuel-efficient, full-size car powered by V6 or V8 engines. In the early '80s the nameplate hit an all-time low when it was affixed to GM's midsize car platform, reducing the once-proud Bonneville to a gussied up LeMans. Another metamorphosis occurred in 1987, when the Bonneville returned to full-size status, atop GM's new front-drive family car platform.

This generation and the revamped 1990s Bonny that followed embodied Pontiac's new direction, focusing on exaggerated sporty styling and high-tech gizmos. In terms of sales and image, however, the Bonneville was on a constant slide as fewer consumers were interested in a large, sport-oriented front-wheel-drive sedan. Production finally ended in 2005.

Used-car shoppers interested in a Bonneville will most likely be taking a look at the two most recent generations of the car. In general, these cars provide plenty of interior room and trunk space thanks to their full-size sedan status, and, depending on trim, also offer respectable acceleration and handling. Typical downsides, however, include overwrought interior and exterior styling, some cheap interior materials and dubious build quality.

Most Recent Pontiac Bonneville

The most recent Pontiac Bonneville was produced from 2000-'05. This car's general shape wasn't too different from the car it replaced. But it was sleeker despite retaining some of Pontiac's signature ribbed plastic body cladding -- particularly on the exaggerated SSEi. This look was cleaned up on the V8-powered GXP for 2004, with a more attractive face and cladding-free sheet metal.

Inside, this Bonneville brought the idea of a driver-centered cockpit to new heights with controls angled heavily toward the driver. Dozens of little gray buttons and switches, eight round air vents, six gauges, an information center and an optional head-up display furthered the jet aircraft motif Pontiac was shooting for. This might sound cool, but it was tremendously busy and grew dated quickly.

This generation Bonneville didn't change much during its run. It was initially available in base-level SE, midgrade SLE and top-of-the-line SSEi trim levels. The bottom two trims came with a 3.8-liter V6 (205 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque) and a four-speed automatic transmission. The performance-oriented SSEi boasted a supercharged version of the 3.8 V6, increasing power to 240 hp and 280 lb-ft. These were hardly muscle-car numbers, but the SSEi outperformed other V6-powered large cars of the era like the Chrysler 300M and Lincoln LS. This advantage didn't last long, though, as horsepower numbers in the 2000s rose precipitously.

The SSEi was replaced by the V8-powered GXP in 2004. This 4.6-liter V8 made a healthy 275 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque and was enough to propel this large sedan from zero to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. With that much power sent to the front wheels, the GXP handled it surprisingly well, with decent handling and few complaints about torque steer.

Although this generation's Bonneville was hardly our favorite full-size sedan, it did provide comfortable transportation for up to six passengers while adding in an appreciated amount of style and performance. The SSEi and GXP are the models that driving enthusiasts will want to focus on, but all Bonnevilles suffered from the gizmo-heavy interior and, like most GM cars from this era, inconsistent build quality and cheap, glossy interior plastics.

Past Pontiac Bonneville Models

The previous-generation Pontiac Bonneville was produced from 1992-'99, with a subtle midlife refresh in 1996. It was initially available in base SE, sporty SSE and supercharged SSEi trim levels. An SLE (Sport Luxury Edition) package was available on SE models starting in 1993 and became its own trim level for 1998. The SSEi did the reverse, as it changed from being a trim level to becoming an optional package (on SSE models) in 1994.

The SE and SSE Bonnevilles came standard with a 3.8-liter V6 that made 170 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. Those figures grew to 205 hp and 230 lb-ft in 1995. The available supercharged version initially made 205 hp and 260 lb-ft, and those figures swelled to 225 hp and 275 lb-ft in 1994. The supercharged V6 was boosted one more time in 1996 to 240 horses and 280 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic was standard on all engines throughout this generation's lifespan, but SSEi versions starting in 1994 featured "Performance" and "Normal" shift modes that quickened downshift response and raised rpm shift points.

Major equipment changes included standard antilock brakes in 1993 and standard dual airbags in 1994. (Passenger side was previously only standard on the SSEi.) That year also saw the introduction of optional Computer Command Ride, a two-mode system that adjusted suspension performance. Electronic load leveling and keyless entry became standard features on the SSE and optional on the SE in 1997.

Inside, these Bonnevilles were driver-centered like the following generation, but much less busy. Nevertheless, SSE models are remembered for having optional 12-way power seats with lumbar control that included nine dedicated buttons on the center console. We thought this Bonneville was also a decent choice for large-sedan buyers, with sportier styling and more high-tech niceties than most of its competitors.

The previous Pontiac Bonneville was produced from 1987-'91 with styling that was considered quite head-turning for the time. It brought back some of the sportiness that had been sucked out of the Bonny since the 1960s, particularly the SSE model. Like future Bonnevilles, this one also reveled in technology, with the SSE sporting numerous gauges, driver information displays, an abundance of power seat controls and ahead-of-its-time steering-wheel-mounted audio and temperature controls.

User Reviews:

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  Blast to drive, very happy with this car - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By CACruising - January 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive if you like a car with power that handles well. The suspension gives a great ride for long and short trips. To eliminate some expensive options that we did not want (12-CD, Satellite radio, chrome wheels and sun roof because of head clearance), we ordered the car. It arrived in 4 weeks. Had a water leak problem with trunk through the bolt holes that hold Spoiler. It was fixed after a couple of tries.

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  DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By nell - December 26 - 10:00 am

  this car is junk.it has leaked on the passenger side since i bought it.i have taken to dealer 5 times.still not fixed.they are driving me crazy!!!! the floor board is full of water everyday.the car smells like something has died in it.try eating in it! i have called GM for help they told me to roll the window down before closing the door.pay this much for a car and do this until another appt.@ body shop!!!

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  Love it - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Matt - December 1 - 5:03 pm

  I did a lot of research about this car before I decided to buy. Great ride and drive. Seats are as comfy as you will find. Great car all around, one of very few cars that is comfy on a long trip. Fuel Mileage is about 20.5 on a long trip with cruise at 75.

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  I love Pontiacs - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jennifer Ann - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is comfortable, it has power if needed. It is roomy, the trunk is large.The adjustments for the seats are easy, the lumbar adjustment just even more comfort. Do not have to use best gas as in my previous Grand Prix GPT Supercharged.The radio is like listening to live performances. The handling is easy. Not too big for parking. This is my fifth Pontiac since 1982.

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  Expected ecitement and quality, oops - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By UKFan - November 24 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of a 1995 SEL, I really like the improvements in the 2000 model. Ive had a few issues: replaced heater fan, water gathered under the spoiler and would spill into the trunk when I opened it, an A/C hose failed last year. But what really pissed me off, was both of the rear power window motors had to be replaced within two weeks of each other. This happend at just under 40,000 miles and the dealer nor GM would cover it under warranty. I had to go through a lenghty process to get 50% back from GM.

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  3rd Pontiac Bonneville - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By niles - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive and comfortable. Loyal to Bonneville until now. Disappointed in overall quality. Too much interior plastic. To date: trouble with the driver window and fluid leakeage. Dealer is fabulous and warranty covered repairs, but am worried about what the future holds for this car.

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  2003 Bonneville with 160,000 miles - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Sean - November 20 - 5:50 am

  I am 18 years old and this was my first car. I bought the car two years ago with 130,000 and it ran great. I still have the car and its still going strong with 168,000 miles. The only thing i have had to do with it is scheduled maintenance (oil changes, balancing tires, etc). Fuel economy is great for a 6 cylinder. It has a very smooth ride, and i like the comfortable leather seats. It also rides quite well at 120 mph. One of the only things i do not like about this car is that it is quite heavy, and does not stop as quickly as many other cars I have driven.

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  After 12 years - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By David in PA - November 17 - 2:10 am

  Nice looking car, paint still looks great after 12 years. Previously owned a 1988 SSE. Replaced original two position sport struts with Monroe Reflex after 75,ooo miles. Reflexes are great! Avg 16 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Traction control is nice in snow. Intake manifold gaskets leaked at 55,ooo then again at 102,000 miles. Luckily engine wasnt damaged. Transmission replaced at 75,000 miles because trans yoke body went bad. Car would surge at highway speed when going up a slight incline. Theres a tech bulletin on this but no recall. Overall I really like the car.

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  Back into a Bonn - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By 2nd Bonne - November 14 - 10:00 am

  The last Bonne that I owned was an 87 SE...and what a change! Having 3 kids, we needed a car with lots of space - and still fun to drive. This car does everying well - but not perfect (not sure anyone does). There is lots of room, but the center rear seat is only good for the smallest child, the front seats are not as comfortable as first thought for a long drive, the auto down windows are a little two easy to activate (I am looking for issues here). Overall though, I am immencely happy with this car, and one year from now, I think I will move from this used SLE, to a new SSEi - just to spice things up even more. Considering a Bonne?? Go for it!

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  There are reasons they stopped making it - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Tom - November 11 - 5:46 pm

  Water still leaks into car during heavy rain storms despite 10 trips to different dealers and numerous contacts with the Pontiac folks. Back of front seats had to be replaced-they fell apart on their own, as did the rear window regulator assemblies (both within two days, $530 each). Wires fell down from behind the dash and had to be replaced along with defective lights. Firestone tires stink-two blow outs at lower speeds and Firestone dealers will not honor warranty (similar problems with Saturn I had previously). Then theres the normal irritants such as an ash tray that rattles constantly, and the lug nut caps that keep flying off (the dealers want $6 each, junk yards sometimes are free).