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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  Solid Value for the Money - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By sclass_benz - June 4 - 8:03 am

  Ive owned my 2000 Bonneville for 10 months now and have been very pleased. It always starts easily and runs strong. Being a previous Honda owner, I had some concerns about squeaks and rattles showing up in a GM product, but Ive been pleasantly surprized, the ride is nice and quiet and there are no rattles. I am averaging 22+ miles per gallon (city/hwy combined) and there is definitely plenty of power. Only complaint is that a remote trunk release was an option that I dont have, so you have to turn off the motor, then use the key to open the trunk. Highly recommended and a great value.

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  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

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  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.

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  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.

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  First Impressions - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By jonnyoz13 - April 11 - 7:33 pm

  Have owned this used Bonneville a little under 2 months. Some notes: Fuel Economy; around 27 average in mostly hwy driving, not bad. Comfort; very nice ride, front seats could use additional bolstering in the thigh area. Performance; very good, accelerates nicely when pushed. Accomodations; huge trunk, back seat roomy-head clearance ok even with sunroof, heat/ac with dual climate works nice (although fan runs at same speed for both sides, just temp difference. Annoyances; data computer seems off- gallons used short about 1 gallon out of 17 which shows misleading fuel economy-miles to empty-etc, oil life monitor at 67% after 3300 miles? Conclusion; great family cruiser, 9/10 stars

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  Transmission #3 - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By looked good - April 9 - 10:16 pm

  Bought this car because of the reputation of the engine and the gas mileage. It also looks fantastic. My only complaint is that I recently installed transmission #3. The original tranny was replaced at 55000, and now at 120000 I am replacing that one ($2600). The transmission shop said that these "Bonnies" have a weak tranny.

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  Slipping Transmission - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By travelgrl - April 3 - 10:00 am

  At 68,000 miles the transmission starting slipping and had to be replaced. There are many reports that for two years the transmission needed to be flushed or you had to end up rebulid the transmission. Other than that its a good car.

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  Attention Pontiac!!! - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By April - January 19 - 10:16 pm

  I love my Bonneville but this car has issues. Vibration in front end, popping noise in the steering, leaking doors, heated passenger seat stopped working and the trunk is leaking. I have had two new passenger side tie rod ends put on this car in 60,000 miles. Pontiac you need to step up to the plate and take care of these issues.

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  Nice ride, but many problems - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By JaniceB - December 9 - 10:16 am

  Happy w/ the Bonneville as far as looks & ride. Plenty of room and decent gas mileage for a big car. I loved all the features. Had to replace the AC ($700). Also had tons of problems with it not wanting to start. Someone else mentioned the battery corrosion problem, we found this true to. Also, we had to have a switch resistor in the ignition replaced to the tune of $100. Ive read this is a common problem. The vents quit working. Took it to the dealership, they said they couldnt duplicate the problem, but informed me of the plastic intake manifold gasket problem. Cost to be over $600, and is a well-known problem with these GM 3.8s! At that point, I decided not fix, bought an import.

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  Bonneville Good But Bad - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By fig newton - November 7 - 2:33 am

  GPX is a great car, but if you buy a used one please get a 0 deductible warranty. Have had $6000.00 of work done. lucky all but about $800 was covered (Shocks and brake-not covered), all problems caught by dealer during normal maintenance. The problems,oil and H2O leaks, rear drive problem, Onstar/radio, control for heat and air condition, wheel bearings eta. I have one year left on warranty- lucky me.