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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  The New Bonneville - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Tymbrewood - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a 77, 78, 93 and 94 Bonneville. By far, this 2004 GXP is a huge leap forward in performance, safety and design compared to whats already come along. Mine has all the options, and handles beautifully. Acceleration is phenomenal, and braking power is fantastic. The GXP stays glued to the road, and I feel very confident driving in a downpour (had my chance to check for leaks - no leaks!) The instrument panel and dash have a huge wow! factor at night, and the headlights really reach out for quite a distance. Ive already put over 800 miles on it in 6 days, mostly highway miles, and simply love the car.

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  Repairs - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By BDBrown - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Like the vechicle. bought used with relatively low miles. At this time 67000. Recent repairs, however, have included water pump, brakes, and oil pan leak. Troublesome brake problem is re-occuring and apparently difficult for mechanics to solve.... front brakes grab at slow speed... not always, but wish we could get is solved. Overall we like the car and performance.

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  Unhappy at this point - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By spytfyre13 - May 14 - 10:06 pm

  My father bought this car and unfortunately he died 5 months after. I put car on the road 5 months later at 18,000 some miles in mar 05. Couple months later inside dome lights stopped working and battery died. Took it to dealer told them I thought there were electrical problems they said it was just a fuse, replaced battery. 3 months later inside dome lights quit working again. Awhile after that, driver side rear window just fell down one day. Passenger side front and rear power switches stopped working, heated seats stopped working and keyless entry alarm. Now at 69,946 miles car has bad vibration in front end and gas pedal at high speeds usually 55 mph and up. Just replaced wheel bearing and helped

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  A Reliable Machine - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Wes - May 9 - 5:23 pm

  Very few, very minimal issues. Drives better 3 years later than it did when I bought it. 2 thumbs up.

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  Intake Manifold - Why Plastic? - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bobwill@Sask - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used at 140,000 kms, now at 186,000 kms, only minor mechanical work required - new plugs and wire set. However, one large problem as others have eluded to, the plastic intake manifold (upper plenum) which corrodes and leaks coolant into the combustion chamber. Despite being documented by GM dealerships under a service bulletin, GM has not recalled these vehicles (1995 - 1998 Bonnes and other GMs), have not redesigned the part and will provide no financial assistance. Next car will be an Acura TL.

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  Must have been a monday car - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By wanna import edition - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Where to start... driving home from the dealer suspension was knocking - turned out to be broken bolt. Engine kept stalling while driving - bad crank sensor (towed 3 times before diagnosed) Engine soft plugs poped while driving Steering column was replaced twice. Door panel replaced twice Seatbelt mechanism rattled and squeaked. Transmission failed after 38 months and 27000 miles. Now exhaust flange has cracked (no impact marks per dealer - it just failed) Dealer and GM have been great in fixing the clunker - it just my time that is wasted and nerves that are being wracked.

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  Wonderful touring sedan! - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By GM-MAN - April 12 - 4:40 pm

  What a wonderful car. I am so very pleased with my Bonneville SLE, and have driven on 3 over 500 mile trips in my SLE and just enjoy its great handling (FE2 ride and handling package) and great torque from the 3.8 Series II V6. I never forget I am in a Pontiac. I have put about 8000 miles on mine and really like its driving dynamics. It rides wonderful on the highway and does not comprise on curves. It cuts coners very stable with almost sports car like feedback and performance. Overall it is an impressive vehicle and classic American styling also get some thumbs up. I am very sad to see such a great large sedan be taken out of production! Pontiac bring the Bonneville back, I am waiting!

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  If Only... - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By John Wellauer - April 11 - 8:36 pm

  This has been a nice car to drive over the past three years. It has decent pickup and great road manners. It is quiet and has a smooth, comfortable suspension setup without excessive body roll in turns. The dual zone HVAC is a dream, always ready to make you absolutely comfortable no matter the weather outside. If I were to have any complaints about this car it would be the ill advised Intermediate Shaft in the steering column carried over from the Olds Aurora. When your GXP becomes afflicted with this malady you are stuck suffering through moans, groans and a stiff feel in tight turns; and a notchy "hitting a rock" feel in normal driving turn situations. This car depreciates quickly.

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  Sweet n powerful Bonnie - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ming - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I love these cars. Great tire squealing acceleration off the line, none of that "240 hp" that only comes 10 minutes into driving it up to 10,000 rpm. Instant power. The interior is comfortable, but the headrest is a little odd - it supports my head only when tilted forward. Love the heads up display and at your fingertips radio controls. Only problem was insulation in the trunk at one spot leaked. Fixed under warranty.

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  Expensive & frequent electronic repairs - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Lola R. - April 8 - 3:20 pm

  Have driven this pre-owned vehicle for nearly two years and have had a number of electronic problems, all of which were fairly expensive to repair. The two front heated seats have now been fixed a total of five times - three times for the drivers seat heating element alone! It is comfortable, stylish and affordable and I enjoy driving it, but it has far too many electronic options, which makes it a very expensive car to repair.