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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  Bought Another Bonneville - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Smile - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I have just purchased a used 2003 Bonneville. It is almost a duplicate of my 1999 Bonneville SE. I liked the 1999 so much I had to have another!! I have not had to do any repairs in 4 years! This car drives straight and true. Acceleration is great. Gas mileage is great for a huge car. Even my teenage daughters like to drive it on the highway. Purchase price was less than one-half the original new car price (one year old purchase). It is a real value for people buying it used!

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  roberto - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By roberto9088 - July 30 - 11:00 pm

  Engine and transmission very good, very good handing. Interior materials very cheap, the seats are horrible and very unconfortable. The body paint need to be improved the quality. The rust is coming out already. I changed two of the four electric motor windows already.

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  Salemans Car++ - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By KRA218 - July 27 - 12:16 pm

  Studied them ALL for six months and decided on the GXP. Looks, Power, Handling, Comfort, Value and its American! Purchased used for 12,000+ under MSRP. Today you good do even better!! Highly recommend for us sports car lovers that need a 4-door business car to satisfy the Boss! Mileage 17/22 and I do not expect it to get better with already 22K miles on her!

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  Great first car - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bonnevillese4me - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had this car for a couple of months but so far Ive put almost 2000 miles on it including two trips to Viriginia and just taking it around on everyday trips and it has performed beautifully. This is my first car, and I decided a used car was the way to go, but this car is in such great shape youd never know it was a used car.

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  Sweet Bonnie - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By ProvemWrong - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I traded a Regal for the Bonnie. so glad I did. This car is more stylish, great comfort, excellent layout inside and out, the butt warming seats and independent climate control keeps the old lady happy, better handling and suspension with more power. Lots to enjoy from the Dash lighting to the leather comfort ride. Easy cruise... XM Radio and moon roof. Great car.

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  First Car - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bonneville99 - June 27 - 9:23 pm

  Bought this car August 2009 w/ 127k miles as my first car. Now has 145k and still purrs like a kitten. Ride is amazing; like driving on a cross between a couch and a cloud. Power is great - I do a lot of highway driving and this car is way better than my mothers old Stratus. Really nice looking too - paint has held up well for being outside its whole life and the chrome rims make it look really sharp. Seats are very comfortable and the leather has held up really well considering the age. Awesome sound system. Replaced EGR valve and fuel pump, but we expected that one when we bought it (really common on these), but other than that its only been regular maintenance.

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  WOW - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By dride9 - June 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my second bonneville. The first was a 1996. This is a 2002 and I love it. I bought it used and fill that it is like a brand new car. Love the styling and the ride. For such a big car it can out handle most of the smaller competition in the curves. I will only own bonnevilles from now on. And with the introduction of the GXP. WooHoo! Keep them coming pontiac.

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  Point and shoot driving - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By SlyDover - June 8 - 10:00 am

  This 1998 Bonneville SSEi is my second Bonneville. I had my 1988 SSE for 7 years and loved it too. The 1998 is so much fun to drive, I can believe its legal. The dual mode suspension is great. The performance mode is very stiff and accomidates aggressive driving while the touring mode is perfect for gliding down the freeway. In performance mode you just point the car where you want and it goes there. Point and shoot driving at its best!

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  WORST CAR EVER !!!!! - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By cantonjh - June 4 - 4:19 am

  From the day I got this car I had NOTHING but problems !!!! first the rack & pinion ( right passenger side ) goes out then back window regulator goes out then countless converter replacements then 2 coils replacements then A/C goes out then countless sensors replaced then front wheel bearings replaced and both tire rods replaced then front passenger window regulator goes out then water pump and raidtor repleaced had to replace the tension pully then valve cover gastets replaced and now my head gasgets are leaking my car has been in the repair shops more then on the road NEVER again will I buy crap like this SHAME on GM !!!!!

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  Supercharge It! - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By leaseman - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a handsome vehicle now that the universally hated body cladding has been replaced with simple molding. The drivers seat is like a cockpit with soft, comfy leather seats and an assortment of lights and gadgets that will make any techie drool. Acceleration is snappy with the supercharged engine, the only noticeable lag being when the car was being driven aggressively up a steep hill. This is a fine American performance sedan.