0
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Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $2,500 – $7,500*


2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi


2000 Pontiac Bonneville SE


2000 Pontiac Bonneville interior


2000 Pontiac Bonneville SEi


2001 Pontiac Bonneville

Pros:
  • Acceleration
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Cargo room
  • Ride/handling
Cons:
  • Fuel economy (SSEi)
  • Rear-seat comfort

Volume leader is the SE, which is a fine value. Supercharged power in the SSEi is satisfying, but at a far higher price–though Bonnevilles have not held their value especially well. Besides, a lot of cars on its level are more refined and promise more verve.

Overview

Pontiac redesigned its front-drive full-size sedan for 2000, again similar to the Buick LeSabre, with fresh styling but carryover powertrains. Wheelbase and overall length increased by nearly two inches, but head room shrunk slightly and interior leg room was unchanged.

Side-impact airbags for front seats were newly standard. GM’s StabiliTrak antiskid system was installed in the top-line SSEi model, designed to selectively brake the front wheels to counteract skids in turns. The lineup also included SE and midrange SLE sedans. All Bonnevilles had standard front bucket seats, but the SE offers an optional bench for 6-passenger capacity. Only a 3.8-liter V6 was available, as before, in two ratings. For SE and SLE models, the V6 produced 205 horsepower. In the SSEi, a supercharged version delivered 240 bhp. Both engines were hooked to a four-speed automatic transmission. Traction control was standard on the SSEi and optional on others. Antilock all-disc brakes replaced the previous disc/drum setup, and a tire-inflation monitor became standard. GM’s EyeCue head-up display, which projects primary instrument readings onto the windshield, was standard in the SSEi.

Yearly Updates

2001 Bonneville
After a season’s absence, GM’s OnStar assistance system became available again in Bonnevilles–standard for the SLE and SSEi, or an option for the SE. The SE sedan gained a tire-pressure monitor, and the SLE added standard traction control. Heated seats now were optional in all Bonnevilles.
2002 Bonneville
SE models got minor styling alterations for 2002. A CD player replaced a cassette as standard on the SE, and SLE/SSEi got revised alloy wheels.
2003 Bonneville
Front bucket seats were revised for ’03. Side airbags became an option on all but the SSEi. XM Satellite radio was a new line-wide option.
2004 Bonneville
In order to make room for a new V8 later in the year, Pontiac’s loses its supercharged V6 for 2004. Added midyear was a 275 hp 4.6-liter V8 available on the new GXP.
2005 Bonneville
Pontiac will drop its largest sedans after 2005, which carry on with few changes. The main news for ’05 is that the SLE looks more like the GXP by virtue of revised nose and tail styling and a new lower-bodyside treatment.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Basic Bonnevilles used a 3.8-liter, overhead-valve V6 engine that produced 205 horsepower, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. A supercharged version of that V6, developing 240 bhp, went into the SSEi sedan. In 2004, the supercharged V6 was dropped to make way for the 4.6-liter 275 hp V8, available on the new-for-’04 GXP.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 205
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 19/30

 20.6
Supercharged ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 240
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 280
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 17/28

 15.7
dohc V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 4.6/278
Engine HP 275
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 300
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 17/24

Road Test

Dynamically, at least, Bonneville matches the best front-drive full-size sedans. Despite a weight hike, acceleration is strong in SE and SLE sedans, with good throttle response. Performance is outstanding with the supercharged SSEi. With either engine, the transmission changes gears smoothly and downshifts come quickly for passing. An SE averaged 20.6 mpg, while the SSEi got just 15.7 mpg on premium gasoline. Engines are smooth, but wind rush and suspension/tire noises over coarse surfaces may appear. Softest-riding version is the SE, which floats more over high-speed dips, but all are comfortable over bumps and nearly devoid of the front-end bobbing that sometimes plagued previous Bonnevilles. A standard load-leveling rear suspension improves stability. Handling is impressive–balanced and composed–sharpest in the SLE and SSEi. Watch out for torque steer (pulling to one side in hard acceleration) in the SSEi. Though the SSEi’s StabiliTrak can get confused during rapid sawing of the steering wheel, it should help the Bonneville stay on course in emergency maneuvers. Space is abundant for four adults, in an interior that has a more sporty flair than most full-size sedans. Still, the lost inch of rear head room won’t help taller passengers. A protruding center section in the rear seatback discourages 3-across seating, on a cushion that’s soft and poorly shaped. Leather-covered buckets in the SSEi have 12 settings but aren’t all that supportive. Instruments sit close to the driver, though the dashboard looks cluttered. Some plastic panels feel low-budget. Audio and climates controls are easy to reach and decipher. Entry/exit is easy through large doors. The trunk is large, but hinges dip into the load area.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SE

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 3
30%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 53

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.2 202.6 74.2 56.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
18.0 18.5 6
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.7 37.3 42.6 38.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2000 Bonneville 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 4
80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 74
Injury 53
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: The column-mounted shift lever is hard to move out of park due to the interlock cable being too long. (2000)
Brake wear
Description: The original-equipment rear brake pads cause a humming or moaning noise, especially when the brakes are hot or warm. (2000)
Coolant leak
Description: The 3.8-liter V6 may leak coolant into the engine from the intake manifold. A new gasket kit, revised throttle body nuts, and sealing compound is available. Redesigned manifolds are also available in the aftermarket. (2000-04)
Coolant leak
Description: Coolant loss via plastic intake manifold is corrected by installing upgraded manifold and gaskets plus new PCV kit. (2000-04)
Horn
Description: If the horn becomes difficult to operate or sounds by itself in cold temperatures, the airbag module will have to be replaced. (2000)
Steering noise
Description: A countermeasure high-pressure power-steering hose will reduce vibrations, shudders or moans from the steering wheel during slow-speed turns. (2000-01)

Recall History

2000
Description: Some cars have internal fluid leaks in brake hydraulic-control unit; when rear-brake proportioning, antilock braking, traction control, or stability-control feature is activated in some driving situations, feature may not perform as designed.
2002
Description: When shifting from 5th gear into reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be in 4th gear, even though the lever indicates reverse gear.
2002-03 SSEi- supercharged V6
Description: Faulty fuel-tank sensors may have been installed in certain vehicles, leading to fuel leakage. Dealer will inspect and replace all affected parts.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 24, 2014.
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