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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  Supercharged SSEi midnight blue - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Amber - November 23 - 5:03 pm

  Love it! I have always had a Bonneville or an Olds Aurora- love big sedans. This is my favorite of all time! My car is beautiful - love the look in and out and that supercharger is wow. Very comfortable ride

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  LOVE THIS CAR - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By EBBAL - November 10 - 10:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE, GOOD ECCELLERATION,RIDES GREAT, HANDLES WELL, NICE CAR, I WOULD BUY ANOTHER. I LOVE THIS CAR

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  built for the road - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By gary mcgaffic - November 3 - 12:23 am

  Great road handling ability, stabilitrak is fantastic but scary at first. Heads up display is great, day or night. The under side of the suspension system is built like a tank, extremely rugged. I get over 26 mpg on the highway which is great for a supercharged car of this size. As of 08/14/09 only 51,000 mile on it. Sill looks new...

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  Love my bonni - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Wendell - September 26 - 7:06 am

  Purchased new. Had intermediate steering shaft replaced uhder warranty. Clicking returned at 45,000 miles. My local mechanic put oil in hole at top of steering shaft and now is fine and charged me nothing its abouy a 5 min. Job. Had problem with Goodyear 17 in tires. All have been replaced 2 times under tire warranty. Car is fun to drive handling great. Would buy another one if they still made them. Replaced brake rotors and pads. My only expence to date in over 6 yrs of driving this car. Have had no problems with broken nobs or interior plastic. Car still looks new inside and out. Great looks handling and economy. Buy American. This is my 2nd bonni love them

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  pontiac owner and loving it - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By alan henry - September 24 - 2:00 am

  this is the most comfertable car i have owned. i had two grand prix and would never own another. the bonniville is a well built car. for afour door sedan it handles well with out giving up a smooth ride. the v6 is quick considering the size of the car. i would recommend this car to everyone that wants a well handling full size car

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  BANG FOR THE BUCK - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By scottie_sl - September 19 - 10:00 am

  In 1993 I went from grand Prixs to the Bonneville--after 11 years and 95,000 miles I could not have picked a better car---excellent service with normal maintenance. After looking at many different makes of cars we Recently made a new purchase and and guess what-- -another Bonneville. Really pleased-- ride/comfort/performace/ecomony/gas mileage at a price $5000.00 less than comparable make/models

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  Fun, Sporty, Solid Value though... - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By kevmark - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I was very impressed with this car. Have searched for a few months..so no quick decision here. I like almost everything about it except for the cup holders up front, they actually overlap each other so only two cans can fit, no large cups, or at least not for the two of you!! Pretty stupid design, what was up with that engineering quirk? Also, the middle of the radio/CD display is dark so some characters and numbers are unreadable. Im hoping this is simply a bulb burned out behind the display.

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  I LOVE My 2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP! - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By 2005Wht-GldBonnieGXP - August 8 - 4:36 am

  Weve only had our Bonneville GXP for 5 weeks so far - but nothing has deterred us from loving this car as Pontiac did a wonderful job! It is such a shame to see the Bonneville line discontinued after 48 great years - but at least it went out with a BANG! So far, the only shortcomings are the lack of aftermarket performance items available for it and a little lower gas mileage than I expected. But we do drive it enthusiastically as it is just a blast and the exhaust note is incredible for factory-spec. The GXP handles exceptionally well for such a large sedan and yet offers great ride quality. Luckily, I found one of the last NEW GXPs with every available option in White-Gold Tricoat.

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  Overall great car - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By GXP doc - July 4 - 8:06 am

  I priced other imports and none of them came close to this car,as far as size,performance and value.I drive approx.100 miles a day and this car is just flat out fun to drive!I have been very pleased with my purchase.The dealer treated me better than any of the import dealers I have dealt with.

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  Pre-Retirement Thrill - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By slnews - June 9 - 8:10 pm

  In my search for a comfortable, roomy car for a big and tall person like myself, the Bonneville was last on my short list. After driving it, I had to have it! Deceivingly roomy, yet drives and performs outstandingly. The creature features are just enough to pamper me but not too much to spoil me. Id rather have a responsive "big" car in todays deteriorating roads, jam packed with inattentive (aka cell phone handicapped) drivers. The 3.8 liter V6 is the perfect bridge between typical 3.5s and less that cars around this weight class usually get, and the gas guzzling V8s. I dont know if its on purpose, but Pontiac dual exhausts have always "growled", which you wont hear in a Buick!