2005 Pontiac Bonneville Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Pontiac will drop its largest sedans after 2005, which carry on with few changes. Bonneville closes out with three models. SE and SLE have a 205-hp V6. The performance-oriented GXP uses a 275-hp version of Cadillac's 4.6-liter Northstar V8. All have 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, load-leveling rear suspension, and front bucket seats. SE offers an optional front bench seat for 6-passenger capacity, and now shares standard OnStar assistance with other models. Front side airbags are standard on GXP, optional for SE and SLE. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. Traction control is standard for SLE and GXP, optional for SE. Satellite radio is available for all. SEs ride on 16-inch wheels, SLEs 17s, GXPs 18s. GXPs also have uprated suspension and brakes, GM's Stabilitrak antiskid system, dual-zone climate control, 12-way power front seats, and leather/suede upholstery. 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. Buick's LeSabre shares Bonneville's underskin design, but has different looks and doesn't offer a V8 model.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large, inside and out, they also include the only 6-passenger cars. Large Cars offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Our Best Buys include the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego.

News

Pontiac announced the decision to drop Bonneville in early February 2005, citing sluggish sales. No replacement is planned, but Pontiac probably hopes to keep some Bonneville buyers in the fold by adding a V8 GXP version of its midsize Grand Prix, expected for 2006.

2005 Pontiac Bonneville Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear-seat comfort

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Ride/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
6	6	7	5.8

V6 Bonnevilles have good pep for most needs. No opportunity yet to time a V8 GXP, but it feels considerably stronger than the V6. Pontiac says it does 0-60 mph in 6.8 sec. Smooth, responsive automatic transmission aids performance in all models.

Fuel Economy

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
5	5	4	4.6

Test SE averaged 20.6 mpg--good for a large sedan. GXP averaged 16.9 mpg in an even mix of city/highway driving. Pontiac recommends regular-grade fuel for the SE and SLE, premium for GXP.

Ride Quality

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
7	6	5	6.6

SE more softly sprung than SLE, and thus floats more over high-speed bumps and dips, but both models comfortable enough. Firmer GXP has less float and more tied-down feel, but its lower-profile performance tires thump over sharp bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
5	6	7	5.8

Generally balanced and composed in any model. SLE feels sharper than SE. GXP is athletic for a big sedan, but steering lacks precision. Stopping power strong enough, but pedal effort fairly high, modulation poor.

Quietness

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
6	5	5	6.7

Smooth engines, but prominent highway wind rush and suspension/tire noise over coarse or rough surfaces.

Controls

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
5	5	5	6

Large gauges, but some testers don't like the red-colored instrument lighting. Audio and climate controls easy to reach and decipher, but dashboard's many buttons can intimidate the uninitiated. Interior a mix of boldly shaped hard plastic surfaces and padded panels that nonetheless lack quality look and feel.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
7	7	7	7.6

SE's available bench seat squeezes a middle adult. Plenty of room with buckets, but some testers find deficiencies in contour and comfort with both types. Testers also divided on safety-belt design. Belts are integrated into seatbacks; some find this convenient, others complain of poor fit over the shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
4	4	4	6.5

Short on head room for taller passengers; an adult will be cramped in the middle. Seat cushion too soft and poorly shaped.

Cargo Room

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
6	6	6	5.6

Cabin offers useful storage, but front cupholders don't hold large containers. Rear seat has fold-down armrest, trunk pass-through. Trunk is large, but lid's hinges dip into load area.

Value within Class

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
6	5	4	6.6

Bonneville's SE model is a good big-car value. The SLE adds useful amenities for a bit more money. But ordering a few popular options pushes both into the price realm of cars with luxury-brand pedigrees, better interiors, and more refinement. The GXP appeals for its V8 power, but suffers the same shortfalls as other Bonnevilles, so it doesn't compare well against newer sporty sedans of similar price.

Total Score

SE	SLE	GXP	Class Average
57	55	54	61.8

Scores for all Large Cars

Low Score		54
Average Score		61
High Score		71

2005 Pontiac Bonneville Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/17/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

SE 4-door sedan	$27,965	$25,588	$725

SLE 4-door sedan	$30,350	$27,770	$725

GXP 4-door sedan	$35,585	$32,560	$725

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.8-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, OnStar assistance system w/one-year service, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, intermittent wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, load-leveling rear suspension, 225/60R16 tires.

SLE adds to SE:

Powertrain

Traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, heated power mirrors, compass.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, 235/55R17 tires, alloy wheels.

GXP adds to SLE:

Powertrain

4.6-liter V8 engine.

Safety

Antiskid system, front side airbags, uprated brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather/suede upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate controls, 12-way power front seats, memory system (drive seat, mirrors), Monsoon AM/FM/cassette/CD player, outside-temperature indicator.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Air-inflator kit, performance suspension, 235/50WR18 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Option Group 1SC
SE	$1,525	$1,357
Traction control, performance axle ratio, leather upholstery, driver-seat power lumbar support and recline, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls.

Leather Appointment Pkg.
SE	$1,025	$912
Leather upholstery, driver-seat power lumbar and recline, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls.

Premier Edition Pkg.
SLE	$3,985	$3,547
Dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, power sunroof, satellite radio (requires monthly fee after 3rd month), special paint, chrome alloy wheels.

Special Edition Pkg.
SLE	$3,235	$2,880
Premier Edition Pkg. plus universal garage-door opener.

Powertrain
Traction control
SE	$175	$156


Safety
Front side airbags
SE, SLE	$350	$312


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
GXP, SE, SLE	$1,100	$979
Includes universal garage-door opener.

Dual-zone automatic climate controls
SE, SLE	$365	$325
SE requires Option Group 1SC.

Leather upholstery
SE, SLE	$850	$757


Power passenger seat
SE, SLE	$550	$490
Includes heated front seats.

Front split bench seat
SE	$150	$134
NA w/Option Group 1SC.

Heated front seats
GXP	$295	$263


AM/FM/cassette/CD player
SE, SLE	$150	$134


12-disc CD changer
GXP	$595	$530


Satellite radio
GXP, SE, SLE	$325	$289
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

Leather-wrapped steering wheel
SE	$175	$156
Includes radio controls.

Head-up instrument display
GXP	$325	$289


Cargo net
SE, SLE	$45	$40
Std. GXP.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
GXP, SE, SLE	$35	$31


Special paint
GXP, SE, SLE	$750	$668


Trunk emergency accessory kit
GXP	$100	$89


Rear spoiler
SE	$225	$200


Alloy wheels
SE	$375	$334


Chrome alloy wheels
SLE	$595	$530

2005 Pontiac Bonneville Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Pontiac Bonneville 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	202.6

Overall Width, in.	74.2

Overall Height, in.	56.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	3590

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	18.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	38.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.8 /231	4.6 /278

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5200	275 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	230 @ 4000	300 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/29	17/24

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Pontiac Bonneville 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2005 Pontiac Bonneville Photos

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Pontiac Bonneville Prices & Equipment

Pontiac Bonneville Specs & Safety

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