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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  Avoid - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By nothappy4321 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The trunk leaks. I used a garden hose and found that water is making it through the weather-stripping and streaming right down into the spare tire well. The back passenger floor also gets wet when it rains, probably bad weather -stripping. The drivers side window makes a groaning noise when I power it down. The car clunks when making turns. I thought the clunk was due to the intermediate steering shaft which the GM claims he fixed but now Im being told its a bad front strut bearings.

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  my 2001 bonneville sle - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By w. jones - March 13 - 10:00 am

  At almost 20,000 miles has never been back to dealer for any reason,great car

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  Love my Bonneville! - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By lreed - March 11 - 8:13 pm

  I have loved this car since the day I bought it new in July 2002. It has required no major repairs and still runs smooth after 100,000 miles. Regular oil changes are the best investment youll ever make in your car. I only wish Pontiac still made them so I could buy another. Guess Ill have to settle for a G6.

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  RonKr Bonneville Review - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ron K. - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Very tight suspension, great handling, very comfortable. A great road car, no fatigue after 12 hours behind the wheel, seats are first class-power adjustable leather buckets. Instrumentation first class. The compass and HUD features are excellent. brake rotors warped at 90,000 miles, replaced with new rotors which had to be machined again at 103,500 miles. New plugs at 99,000 miles after car was felt to be missing. Car spent much (about 1/2) of its life at 80-90 mph on interstates, with other half in the NYC area. Used synthetic oil after break-in, so no obvious wear.

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  Ill miss this car - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Karl - January 26 - 11:16 am

  I bought this car with 44,000 miles on it and will be selling it at over 203,000. This car has provided me with safety (through 2 deer accidents), reliability (only one major engine problem- a gasket recall) and comfort (the a/c went but everything else still works fine). The performance was never top notch but it could more than get out of its own way (and past the occasional highway fool). Some rust here and there but I still walk out, stop and admire the way it looks; the lines of the car never get old. Unfortunately, the signs of old age have arrived all at once. Problems with the gas tank and filler and some big maintenance hurdles. Dont know what to buy now. Too bad GM axed Pontiac.

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  reliable, sturdy and comfortable - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By little red vette - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Sturdy with lots of interior comforts. Very reliable, never a problem. Appears a bit bulky in the exterior design, but you cant compare the quality and reliability.

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  Expected ecitement and quality, oops - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By UKFan - November 24 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of a 1995 SEL, I really like the improvements in the 2000 model. Ive had a few issues: replaced heater fan, water gathered under the spoiler and would spill into the trunk when I opened it, an A/C hose failed last year. But what really pissed me off, was both of the rear power window motors had to be replaced within two weeks of each other. This happend at just under 40,000 miles and the dealer nor GM would cover it under warranty. I had to go through a lenghty process to get 50% back from GM.

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  There are reasons they stopped making it - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Tom - November 11 - 5:46 pm

  Water still leaks into car during heavy rain storms despite 10 trips to different dealers and numerous contacts with the Pontiac folks. Back of front seats had to be replaced-they fell apart on their own, as did the rear window regulator assemblies (both within two days, $530 each). Wires fell down from behind the dash and had to be replaced along with defective lights. Firestone tires stink-two blow outs at lower speeds and Firestone dealers will not honor warranty (similar problems with Saturn I had previously). Then theres the normal irritants such as an ash tray that rattles constantly, and the lug nut caps that keep flying off (the dealers want $6 each, junk yards sometimes are free).

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  Buy a different car before warranty is up - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Brook - October 15 - 6:23 am

  I purchased this car new, I loved the inside/outside such a unique car & the heads up~wow!! But immediate problems, dealership gave me the go around & failed at their job, so took it elsewhere and the guys there do try! The car growls at approx. 13 mph in front. the spoiler holds water & leaks into the trunk. The wheel roters have been turned & replaced numerous times. The windows both broke within an hour of each other, $500 a pop to fix, extended warranty a must, now when I turn it/try to turn it over wont start, must turn part way wait 15 secs. before it will start. fuel filter & pump replaced, relay replaced, power steering pump replaced, sounds like crap back to shop, new foreign car!!

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  This Car is a Nightmare - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By dmh - September 27 - 9:36 pm

  Ive owned this car for two years and it was great at first. Now The passenger side window wont roll up the back window wont roll down, but it falls down. My headlights have started flashing on and off so I cant drive at night. My windshield wipers work intermittently. And my Traction, Anti-Lock, and Brake light all have come on at the same time. My warranty has run out. I took the car to an auto electric shop and he said I would need all four window regulators which are over 300.00 dollars a piece. Thats just the beginning. Anybody want to buy a car?