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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Fun to Drive - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
By Lofty - November 28 - 10:00 am12K mi now and not one problem. Great car, rides and handles very well. Comfortable and smooth on trips. A supeior veh to the Impala. A much better value to the Cadillac Seville.
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Nice deal - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
By Jeff - November 20 - 5:33 pmThis is a large, safe, 4 door sedan built by the UAW in Michigan. It is based on GMs G platform which also underpins the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS, and it is lighter than both of these cars. Most of the shortcomings of the Bonneville have been addressed in GMs newer models, but if you can live with them, the price is incredible.
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A pleasure to own - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
By michael A DeLisio - October 16 - 10:00 amI purchased my Bonneville in Oct. 01 and have had no problems with .It has plenty of power and good fuel milage .the ride is comfortable and the interior is pretty quiet.
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The Last Bonneville - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
By Mark - October 10 - 6:56 pmGood looking Bonneville GXP, simplified, clean lines, SE & SLE should follow suit. Smooth, fast, quiet, excellent suspension, holds the road beautifully, though steering is a bit numb. If you want a true full- sized car (and no, Acura TL is not full- sized), and you are partial to American muscle, and sentimental over Pontiac, get a GXP. The sticker shock is worth it. Chrysler 300 Hemi is faster, but tries too hard to look like a Bentley.
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One Class Ride - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
By ban217 - September 3 - 10:00 amAn exceptional value. This car offers a cadillac ride with stabillitrac, fine response, sleek styling, and all at an attractive price. The interior is impressive in terms of design, comfort, and audio Monsoon stereo. The leather seating is very nice. I highly recommend the car.
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happy to have it - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
By sales rep - August 23 - 10:00 amI travel a lot by car and have used this car heavily! It has never needed any work other than normal maintenance. The ride is very good, I average 28-29 mpg. Good kick when you need it, handles great. Plenty of room to haul kids and nice big trunk. Everyone who sees what I drive comments "I used to have a Bonneville, never shouldve sold it..." I dont think I can part with mine either.
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Great Car - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
By Jeff - July 22 - 9:26 pmI have used this car primarily for work and put between 30,000 to 40,000 miles per year. My 2001 Bonneville currently has 157,000 and still drives like it is new.
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Pontiac Bonneville - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
By mike1969 - July 18 - 2:00 amLifelong Pontiac buyer that decided to by a "supior" German product. Needless to say I was very disappointed with my Passat, had owned Grand Ams for 15 years. Went back to Pontiac and fell in love with the smooth comfort of the Bonneville. This is the best car for price, style and comfort.
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GREAT CAR - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
By Deedon - July 14 - 10:00 amTHIS CAR IS LOTS OF FUN AND HAS GREAT FEATURES. GAS MILEAGE NOT GREAT BUT IT IS A V-8. LOT OF PEOPLE COMMENT ON SEEING IT THAT IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT ARE SHOCKED THAT PONTIAC HAS A CAR IN THE PRICE RANGE OF THIS CAR. OTHERWISE HAPPY WE BOUGHT THE CAR
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Supurb - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
By karfreek - July 7 - 10:00 amThis has got to be the best car I will ever own. I have put 24k on it in just over a year and I have have no complaints. The interior is well thought out and built with no squeeks or rattles. Some more storage for the front seat occupents would have been good. The car now has 98,000mi and is going strong, I have no doubt that I could get this car to 250,000mi. The car can move, the Supercharged 3800 has endless power.
