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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  My 3rd, and most likely last - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Josh Carter - October 15 - 10:13 pm

  No service issues until 40K. Now @ 50K: Transmission, Wheel barings, CV Joints, Tie Rods, Steering rack, Window motor, Dash gauges & lights, Radio, Heated seats, Converter & Exhaust, Rotors, Calipers, Strut mounts, struts, 02 sensors, A/C, mass air flow sensor, injectors and some other engine parts. Now the supercharger is dying, and there is a strong vibration during acceleration that no dealerships can seem to figure out. Also, the car is rusting in spots.

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  1997 Pontiac Bonny SE - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By hazenguy - October 13 - 3:00 am

  I bought my Bonny for a whopping $500. The guy thought the reverse was out on it, when their was no fluid in the trans. I put 3 qts in it, drove her home. My car has 268000 miles and looks great! Everything works on the car! I have tuned her up. She has been well maintained. I would recommend this car to anyone needing a good car on a budget. You can pick up a NICE one Cheap! The parts are common and there is alot of info on the "trouble spots" and "how tos" on the car. I usually would NOT buy a car with this mileage, BUT so far so good!!

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  European Road Trip 2010 - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Circo - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Whats all this about Bonnis with 35 K ? 75 K ?? 125 K? Mine has nearly 300 K on the clock and is still going strong - and as for those who dont think its comfortable - get a sofa ! Ive driven mine the whole way across the EU, have had it in Hungary for a few months and am about to roll it back to the UK this week in a 18 hr straight drive!

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  Very Happy - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jeanette - October 6 - 10:00 am

  We are very happy with our Bonny.Great looks. When we first bought it our friends and relatives could only say wow!!!! Like others have mentioned did have some minor vibrations on freeway at 65+ But after rotating tires the problem is gone and it rides as smooth as ever a 80mph. I love this car

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  The best car Ive ever owned,however, - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By godawgs2013 - September 26 - 11:03 pm

  This car is great except it leaks in the back floor board.When we bought this car we were not aware of the leaks. We have tried to figure out where it is coming from.If you buy this car ask the owners if it has had problems with leaking.

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  Buy Something Else - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Displeased - September 26 - 10:00 am

  We have loved driving this car. Looks great! However, we have had several problems with it. Rack and Pinin had to be replaced at 1000 miles,and since then at least once a year, transmission problems, catalic converter had to be replaced, carbarator had problems, dash board panel peels, had to be replaced. Shakes and Rattles in side, High road noise. Cup holder is for two cups, but it will only hold one.

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  Hope to buy another Bonne - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Great Car-Joleen - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Hate green but bought this green car because it was worth the money. Husband wanted a Bonne so I relented. Now I wouldnt trade it off and hope to put 200,000 miles on it. I now have 120,000 miles on it and have had very little wrong with the car. The cup holders are somewhat small and I do hate the battery behind the back seat. Under warranty, the alternator had to be replaced but really has worked great since. Handling is a major plus! And the car has plenty of power with the 3.8 engine-pretty good fuel mileage (25- 30) too.

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  Love my Bonneville SSEi - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Wayne S - September 15 - 1:33 am

  Have had my 1997 Bonneville SSEi for 8 years. Have had six Corvettes and was a fighter pilot so tend to like fast cars. The supercharged six is simply amazing. Great mileage (30 MPG + on highway)plus more than enough power for everyday driving. At 7 seconds 0-60 MPH according to the magazines, it is actually faster than some of my mid- 70s Corvettes. The car seems faster since the power band is broad and instantaneous due to the supercharger. Engine has been flawless since owned. A nice daily driver, I like the real Heads-up Display and good instrumentation. The 8 Bose-speakered stereo is the best factory car stereo I have ever heard. Nothing has even come close. Great car.

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  For Pontiac Lovers - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Dealer - September 2 - 10:50 pm

  As a car salesman having driven many different makes and model of cars, the GXP is by far the most for the money. Fun to drive, exceptional road manners. The professional opinion peddlers completely miss the mark concerning the GXP.

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  car has been very good over all - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By merrill - August 26 - 2:00 am

  this car has been very reliable. the minor problems have all been related to cheap plastic parts used on the interor. The windows let water floew in when driving in the rain. The trunk lets water drain in when opened wet. The car has given me good service and I believe it will into the future.