2001 Pontiac Bonneville: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Bonneville offers SE, SLE, and SSEi models. All come with front bucket seats, but SE is available with a front bench for 6-passenger capacity. All have automatic transmission and a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The SSEi's V6 is supercharged for more power. Standard are front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel discs, tire-pressure monitor, and load-leveling suspension. Optional on SE and standard on the others are traction control and General Motors' OnStar assistance system. SSEi exclusives include an antiskid system and head-up instrument display. Bonneville shares its basic design with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Aurora.

COMPETITION

This segment has been hardest hit by the huge popularity of sport-utility vehicles. Just a few years ago there were more than 12 cars in the segment and now there are just seven. Heading up the field as Best Buys are the Chrysler Concorde and Dodge Intrepid twins. They have real room for six, exceptional road manners, and plenty of power.

Toyota's Avalon and Buick's LeSabre are two Recommended choices. Both have room for five and offer a comfortable ride (with modest handling capabilities). If you are looking for towing ability or don't mind having a rear-drive car, then we recommend you take a look at the Ford Crown Victoria. With its rear-drive layout and body-on-frame chassis it's a dinosaur in this class, but Ford has updated it nicely over the years and it comes at a reasonable price.