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:

• 

  Looks and drives better then built - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Michael02pb - May 28 - 10:20 pm

  I really enjoy the design of the car, it is a very sporty for a full size car. It handles and accelerates with great ease. However I spend more on repairs then what I acutally spend on the car payment

• 

  Sporty, Fun To Drive, Great Economy - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Leo-Bailey - May 21 - 10:00 am

  What a great ride! I have 26000 miles on the car with none of the problems listed by other reviews. Did have a shaking problem between 65 & 70, but found the tires to be at fault. Goodyear replaced them free of charge-- Problem solved! Solid, great handling and fantastic fuel milage with great performance! Some girl followed my wife for 10 miles just to tell her the car was the best looking car she has seen. She wanted to know the make and model

• 

  Not Happy!!! - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By rebels77 - May 19 - 5:00 pm

  had the car 2 1/2 years and had more than enough problems.1: aircon. had to be fixed.2:wheel bearing in the front was bad. 3: rear window regulator broke.4:front pass. window works only on once in awhile. 5:intake manifold is leaking has to be replaced.6: power steering pump is leaking.7:dash lights are burning out. Cant wait to buy my new Dodge Charger!!. This is coming from a person who has driven Gm Cars for 30 years, Very disappointed!!! This car has only 132,000 km which is 82,500 miles

• 

  Wouldnt trade it for anything! - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By FREX10 - May 19 - 1:20 am

  You havent driven until youve driven this car. The power and response are thrilling. The safety features are comforting. I took a TBone hit square in the driver side front door (i was crawling and she was traveling at 40 mph- and she never hit the brakes!) and my 10 yr old was in the front passenger seat- neither my son nor I were hurt at all, the cars frame was not bent, the glass did not break - it was amazing. the traction control feature is amazing as well. if you hit the brakes in light rainy conditions and your wheels fail to grip properly, the car takes over and bumps the vehicle to a stop (no idea exactly how, but it has saved us a couple times!). Pontiac should resurrect production!

• 

  Nice Car - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By shumpert - May 17 - 10:00 am

  First Pontiac owned, good power, handling is excellent for a full size car, quiet and interior styling good. back seat is a little rough for 6 footers, and not to thrilled about placement of the battery underneath the left rear passenger seat. Otherwise, a fine automobile for the price.

• 

  bonneville ssei - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By pontiac - May 17 - 10:00 am

  The front seats do not go back enough. Getting in and out is not very comfortable. The light control is not in a comfortable position. The windshield wiper control is in a bad position also. I am 52" and when larger or taller people enter the car the front seat is very uncomfortable. I also do not like the 4 dr idea. I owned a Pontiac grand prix gtp and enjoyed it very much. In fact this Sept 2003 I will be buying a new grand prix. They handle better and are a lot more fun to drive and have a lot of room in the front.

• 

  troubles - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By maurice - May 6 - 7:40 am

  1 day old, had to be towed, wires not connected battery dead. 7 days old tranmissions switch replaced. 3 wks old horn replaced. 4 months old comp replaced. 7 mos old rear shock replaced. still makes noises!

• 

  Fun to Drive, but has mechanical issues - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By RPM - April 28 - 4:46 pm

  Bought this "used" car in March 2005. Very sharp and sporty looking car and very fun to drive. Plenty of power. Fully loaded, has all the bells and whistles that the SSEI has, but without the supecharged engine. But since weve bought this car, it had to go back to the garage 4 times now for minor, but annoying mechanical issues that shouldnt be happening on a 5 year old car. Now it has a water leak on the rear passenger floor. The wife really loves this car, but I wish we had waited and bought a Monte Carlo SS.

• 

  excellent car underrated - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By william southard - April 27 - 2:33 pm

  keep the boost gauge at -5 and the gas mileage is pretty good. also ease the power on into boost for the best launch of the start.

• 

  Great American Car - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Stephen - April 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Bonne; 88, 93, 97 and now 00. Great car with smooth quiet ride and handles well for a large sedan. Each one was trouble free with less than $200 maint. per year (excluding tires, since thats dependent on how you drive). Fun to drive. They just get better every year.