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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  SSEI - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By APS - June 16 - 10:00 am

  $ well spent; you will not be disappointed; a great family sport sedan

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  cool kar - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By alanfor2 - June 12 - 10:00 am

  this car is a tank! but sooo comfortable. it rides very nice. a very nice design.

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  nice ride - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By larry krapp - June 10 - 11:43 pm

  This car has been the best riding car and no repairs. I wish that GM had not stopped making this car

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  1998 SSEi - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By RyanMac - May 29 - 10:00 am

  The Bonneville SSEi is just an amazing piece. Its very quick, handles well, and is completely loaded with every option. It also looks mean and catches eyes everywhere I go.

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  2000 Bonneville - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By jim - May 29 - 6:50 am

  I have used it to travel between WV and FL for 7 years. Excellent gas mileage, reliability and comfort. Absolutely no major problems- no major expenses.

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  Brake Eater - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Minnesota Bound - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This car was a 2000 at the end of the model year. First 250 miles, complete change out in transmission. Sun Roof has never sealed correctly. On my 4th set of front brakes in 57k miles. Switched to Ceramics…expensive, but seem to last longer with out the black front tires. Trunk lid leaked until missing gaskets replaced. Radio is better suited for AM only. On the plus side. Not you fathers Bonneville. Performance on the SLE is surprising. Gas mileage, outstanding. Feels like you are flying a jet at night with all of the gages and computers. Power drivers seat a must on this car. Great handling with correct tires in the snow and ice.

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  Good Car... But it its not for everyone! - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By gm4life - May 17 - 4:46 pm

  Lets see the Bonneville SLE is indeed one fine road car, if fact the other day I was rolling on the freeway and all of a sudden my SLE was up way past the 65mph I thought I was going, it was like 80! This car is smooth. As far as being some OHC motor from a Avalon or TL its not, but the Bonneville is good at being different and is never afraid to show its American roots. The interior room with the seats all the way back can be tight but if adjusted a little the back seat can be a pleasent place to pass time. The 3800 Series II OHV V6 give the SLE more than enough grunt to pass and even blow people off the line. (handy in rush how traffic)The interior is different but still sharp looking.

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  Still like new - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Steve S in TX - April 22 - 2:00 am

  Smooth, quiet, powerful. Looks nice and rides nice. Not mushy like the other full size GM front wheel drives. Handles well. Good mileage for bigger car. 26MPG city/highway and 30+ highway MPG. I bought it with 80,000 on the clock and you couldnt take it away!

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  Pontiacs answer to European Luxury - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jim - April 11 - 6:10 am

  Pontiac has definetly came up with a luxury sedan that rivals the likes of the BMW and Lexus..I purchased this car with 124,000 miles and it still runs like the day it came off the assembly line.The only things that I have had to replace was the brake pads. I put ceramic pads on to quiet the squeaks from braking.

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  Fun Sedan - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By ejant - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This was my third Bonny. 90 and 96 prior years. This it one strong sedan. Not too much out there can be comparable in performance for a sedan. Truly "Luxury with Attitude". The alternator went on it at 23,000 and the transmission at 34,500. other than that nil. Ya gotta drive it to beleive it.