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Writer's Notes
Test Vehicle
Pontiac Bonneville SE
Price: $29,725 as tested
Showroom appeal:
Sporty take on traditional luxury
Asphalt Rating:
Smooth running 3800 V-6 and a nice balance of ride and handling.
Cool Factor:
Highest in stealthy models: think basic black with alloy rims.
Safety:
Front and side impact airbags, 4 wheel disc ABS brakes, Traction Control (optional).
Competition:
Chrysler Concorde, Lexus ES300, Lincoln LS, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Avalon.
High on the list of Bonneville's strengths is its polished power train. The standard engine is the 3.8 liter V-6, coupled to a four speed electronic automatic transmission.
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Bonneville the place is a long way from Bonneville the car. The spot after which the big Pontiac luxury car is named is anything but luxurious. It's a barren stretch of land where people used to go to drive as fast as they could, while still managing to keep the sticky side down. And that connection with speed is what spawned the name, because Pontiac has always been GM's sporty division. Bonneville is offered in SE, SLE and SSEi models and I recently drove a base, SE version, with an MSRP of $25,530. This five passenger Pontiac is one of my favorite GM sedans, cutting a nice balance between luxury and sport.
High on the list of Bonneville's strengths is its polished power train. The standard engine is the 3.8 liter V-6, coupled to a four speed electronic automatic transmission. Arguably GM's most versatile engine, the 3800 is uniformly smooth and well mannered, with a nicely throaty growl at throttle. Over the years, I've driven any number of different vehicles powered by the 3800 - all of which it suited well. In this application, it's rated at 205 hp. Plenty of torque is on tap at all speeds (230 lb. ft. @ 4,000 rpm), so the big Pontiac can respond whenever asked to. In the SE, throttle response feels more V-8 than V-6, except at the gas pumps, where it's happily lacking a bigger motor's appetite for gasoline. EPA rates the Bonneville at 20 mpg's city/29 highway and with an 18 gallon tank the big Pontiac will travel far between fill-ups. The standard 3800 should suit most buyers quite nicely, but for the truly power hungry, the SSEi packs a supercharged version of the 3.8, with 35 more hp and 50 more lb. ft. of torque.
Bonneville is the roomy sport sedan that provides a bold, exciting alternative to the boredom that often accompanies traditional luxury cars.
Bonneville's styling was freshened for 2002, with front and rear fascia redesigns and a set of new, five spoke, 17" aluminum wheels. The famed Pontiac beak is still in evidence up front. Ribbing runs the length of the car below the beltline, and the rear end has a full-length light bar stretching tail light to tail light, beneath a low-rise, low-key spoiler. Pontiac stylists have a weakness for spoilers and such, but to my eyes, a little goes a long way on a big car like the Bonneville. Therefore, the SE's relatively subdued styling wears well.
The re-do carries over to the interior, too, with new cloth upholstery and a re-worked center console. The driver's view takes in a wide display of analog gauges which are big enough to be easily read. At night, the dashboard and all switchgear are bathed in red light, adding good visibility and a bit of attitude to the cabin. Controls are within arm's length, and a set of redundant thumb toggles on the steering wheel allow adjustments to the sound system without distracting from your driving. Like the other models in the Bonneville lineup, the SE seats five. Unlike the other models, the SE offers the option of trading your front buckets for a bench (cloth only) if room for six is on your want list. Trunk room is generous at 18.0 cubic feet, once you negotiate the moderate lift over.
On the road, the Bonneville lives up to its luxury sports billing. The SE comfortably rolls over rough pavement with a ride that is well cushioned without feeling anesthetized. The touring suspension is tuned such that a long stint on the road leaves neither driver nor passengers the worse for wear. The SE's handling is nimble for a full size car, with good road feel through the steering wheel.
Pontiac is one division in General Motors that has never had an identity crisis. It has always been placed squarely on the sporty side of the ledger. With GM retiring the Firebird after decades of service, PMD has lost its performance flag bearer. However, the rest of the lineup still know their places. Bonneville is the luxury leader of the bunch. It offers a modern update of the traditional American luxury sedan, in a more aggressive wrapper.
---Story and photos by Dan Lyons
photos © Dan Lyons 2002
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