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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  Suoercharged fun - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mark - September 12 - 1:36 am

  Pontiac is the spirited style division of GM and this car shows it! If you dont love it you hate it. I love the style the SSEi brings to the table as well as its spirited performance. The red glow of the cluster is on par with my BMW 540i and the interior offers more room for the family. MPG is over 27 when going 75ish on the interstate, but fall of fast when dipping in to the supercharger around town. All in all I wouldnt give up my BMW for it, but when I figured in the bang for the buck factor, I bought and love it. Another great alternative is the Buick Park Ave ULTRA. Same power train, but more laid back in design.

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  We love this car - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By D McCue - September 6 - 9:40 pm

  We purchased this car in Feb 2005; we have had abolutely no troubles with it. It is fun to drive, reminds me somewhat of the muscle car era I grew up in with a touch of class & luxury. Ours is Black with gray/black leather interior. We get the oil changed every 4-5 months as we dont drive a lot of miles, pleasure only, three vacation trips of 1,500-1,600 miles or so included in the 14,700 now on the car. Actually it is my wifes car; her previous car was a 34,000 mile, T-Top 1996 Camaro; she didnt drive that one much either; about 6 vacation trips in that car; it had the 3000 V-6

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  After four years of owning - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By alex-with-bonnie - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Bonnie in August 1999. The family loves it: my wife mostly appreciates the space and comfort of the back seat, I love the responsiveness and performance (plus the comfort of the leather drivers seat). This is not a perfect car: the fit and finish on the 2000 VW Jetta that I owned for a year, would beat Bonneville. The paint gave me grief early on, the plastic parts inside are fit worse than parts in Jetta. Other than this, and excluding wear and tear, I havent had problems with the car and have no plans to part with it. This a good car to have for many types of folks. (And it feels nice to leave BMWs behind, starting from a stop line :-)

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  No-More-GM - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Martyev - August 29 - 8:16 am

  I have been a loyal GM owner my whole life (now 45) and this is my last GM product. It is no wonder they are in the trouble they are. I have owned my Bonneville for almost 3 years. I love the comfort and its a very fun car to drive. But if you read my review and other we all have the same problems. Mine has a bad noise in the front suspension. Persistent leaks. The rear spoiler allows water to store in the trunk lid and you get wet when you open the trunk after a heavy rain. I also leaks at the driver door and the rear floorboard. Had to replace a rear window motor and heated seat element failed.

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  Great Pontiac Ride - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mike T. - August 19 - 4:00 am

  This car is a pure joy to own. In 150,000 miles there have been no repairs other than regular maintenance and crash repairs. The fuel economy is very good, better than some of my friends with much smaller cars. Just a note, this is just another in a long line of nearly flawless GM cars that I have owned. Bravo!!

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  a big fan - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By quikie - July 31 - 10:26 am

  i am a big fan of the bonneville, the car is at 77k, and runs new and perfect, i did 120mph it the other day, car runs perfect

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  Love and Hate - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Cumberland, Md - July 23 - 10:00 am

  The Bonneville has the most comfortable seats of any car I ever owned. It has been a perfect car for me....until it came time to repair it. I had two major repairs under warranty and after out of warranty, I have has substantial repair bills. Now they tell me the transmission is on the way out. Repairing this car is too expensive! This could have been a great car if it didnt need so much work on it. The mechanical integrety is bad.

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  My 99 Bonneville Was a Lemon - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ray Williams - July 23 - 10:00 am

  This car was in the shop one day for each 287 miles. The windshield wipers intermittently didnt work, and GM refused to work on it, claiming I was making up the problem (the zone rep was rather amazed when the wipers failed to operate at the lemon law hearing with the judge present). It had numerous other problems, including turn signals, molding, trunk deck lid, horn, belt tensioner, compass, air conditioning, automatic light dimmer, head-up display, sunroof failure, peeling paint, interior trim falling off, and difficulty starting the engine. GM fought the lemon law process like a tiger, and treated us like dirt, but we finally won.

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  One outstanding car! - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By SE Lover - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is simply amazing. For less than $26000, you get quite a luxurious yet sporty car with tons of safety features, power, styling, roominess, and amenities. I really am astounded that I dont see more of them on the road.

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  A comfortable sleek rocket - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By lRocket - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This is third Bonneville and best yet. Very fast, economical and a joy to drive. 600 miles a day is nothing and you feel fine after. A lot of car for the money. Much more comfortable than Avalon or Maxima