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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  Exciting to Drive, Passenger Space Small - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By LC768 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  This is an exciting car from the view point of the driver, however, from the passenger view piont the interior space is too small and not as spacious as previous models. Really disappointed in the downsizing of the passenger seating area.

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  good value - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By zzoom1 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have the SE with option group 1sc. Leather, on-star, dual climate control,front and side air bags and premium sound. Looked around extensively for a family sized sedan and settled for the Bonny as it is priced competitively and doesnt look like everything else on the road.

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  Great fun!!! - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Wayne B. - February 8 - 1:30 pm

  What a blast to drive! I traded an 02 Monte Carlo in for this car and quite honestly wasnt expecting to have the super fun that the MC afforded me but after driving this car for the last two weeks, let me assure you that it is MORE fun than MC, the longer wheel base must be the difference. Great acceleration, nice cornering, comfortable seating and my family of four fits in very nicely. Had a 92 Grand Prix for years and loved it, but I dont think Ill buy anything but Bonnevilles from here on out!

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  Things you should know - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Vicky - February 8 - 11:26 am

  I have owned two Bonnevilles and 2001 and now and 04. My daughter owns an 04 also and my mom owns the 01. The cluster has stopped working on all three of them. My transmission fell out at 42,000 miles. I have had other problems as well. I paid a lot of money for my car and feel like I was cheated. Other than all of the problems, the car is beautiful and rides nice.

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  BOOMING BONNEVILLE - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By PRESTON PAPKE - February 8 - 10:00 am

  FOR THOSE WHO DONT BELIEVE THAT AN AMERICAN SEDAN CANT BE FUN AND ECONOMICAL, THEY HAVENT DRIVEN A BONNEVILLE!

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  Love the car/ditch the dash lights - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Kennndoll - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned overall; rides nice and solid, 30-32 mpg highway. Other than a brake rotor problem during warranty period, Ive had nothing done to it except scheduled maintenance in 50,000+ miles of driving. Only problem is an annoying shimmy at 70mph which started in front and went to the rear after I rotated the tires, so its either a bum tire or a wheel hole off center. This is a lot of car for the money. My only beef is with those annoying red dash lights that can only have been designed by someone under 40; too hard on older eyes!

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  LUXURY & FUN ALL IN ONE - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By jim9706 - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Great Car. Exciting to drive with pplenty of power. Handles the curves and long trip equally well. I love the instrumentation, especially at night. Its like an airplane cockpit. Pontiac has bred a real winner here!

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  Not even 45 days - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By me - January 29 - 2:06 am

  I bought this used car about a month ago and have had nothing but problems. The car have been more in the dealerships presents than mine. Ive had 4 speed senors & fuel injectors put in, a new dash cluster which part of the lighting is burned out, a new radiator not to mention the master switch for the windows doesnt work, nor does the passenger mirror & driver side seat warmer. Hear comes the big one the engine is finished, over. But I love the car, what it stays for if that makes any sense. Otherwise, the car runs very well much power.

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  Best Bonniville Yet - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By SSE Lover - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Prior to purchasing my GXP I owned a 88 SSE which has 180,000, with absolutely no major problems. The lead me to the GXP which in my mind is pure perfection. The ride is as smooth as any Lexus if have owned. The pick up the their when needed. As time goes forward, I am looking for the same performance as the SSE.

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  Amazing underrated car - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By clevelandbonneville - January 15 - 4:13 am

  So far owned for 3,000 miles. I got this beautiful car for a bargain price with 90k miles. It drives like it has 30k miles. Ive gotten between 23 and 27 mpg per tank so far. Nothing has broken except for a burned out head- light bulb. Very smooth torquey engine with silky smooth shifting transmission. Lots of style. More style than all the imports for sure. I love the look from the back and side especially. Only cool Chryslers and Dodges have more style but they are troublesome. This car feels heavy and well-built and safe. Nice looking interior with a large trunk and back seat. This car is big and a bit tricky to maneuver in parking lots and city but its a dream on the freeway.