2004 Pontiac Bonneville Review
Fuel Economy
18 - 21 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Pontiac bills the Bonneville as "Luxury with Attitude." That's an accurate description, given its basis on Cadillac's Seville platform and available 275-horsepower Northstar V8. If traditional Pontiac styling twists your crank, and you want a large sedan packed with performance and features, the Bonneville is your kind of ride.
Pros
Loads of gee-whiz features, solid handling, powerful V8 in GXP, excellent crash test scores, large trunk.
Cons
Average interior materials, overly complicated controls, poor resale value.
What's New for 2004
The supercharged SSEi version of Pontiac's luxury tourer is no more, but a V8-powered GXP model makes its debut later in the model year. This most performance-oriented of Bonnevilles, the GXP, gets more streamlined styling (less cladding, that is) and comes with 18-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, leather/suede seats and a Monsoon sound system. Aside from that, chrome wheels are now available on the SE model.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
My 2nd Bonneville
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Pontiac Bonneville SE 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought this car after finally finding it at a dealership near me, i had owed a 1993 Bonneville as my first car, and my 3rd car happens to be my new 2004 Bonneville and i love it , it is such a wonderful car, it is comfortable, fun to drive and awesomely wonderful on gas!!
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
Good car but needs a recall for steering
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Pontiac Bonneville SE 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
Car has plenty of power whenever needed. Gas mileage is consistantly at 28 MPG highway & 22 MPG city. Would recommend if steering problem fixed.
Favorite Features
Nice looking and smooth ride.
Suggested Improvements
Steering pops when turning which requires lubricating twice a year. GM claims it is a maintenance issue but dealership told me it was a faulty part but they will not recall it yet.
Long Live the Bonneville!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Pontiac Bonneville SLE 4dr Sedan (3.8L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I have owned this vehicle for less than 2 months (42,000 miles at purchase) and have already put 5,000 miles on it. (I have a '95 LeSabre that has 173,000 miles on it, and it is still running well.) I purchased it for less than half its original invoice, and it was virtually brand new. I'm no engineer, but the 3800 Series II engine is the best GM auto engine around. This sled drives like a go kart! Road feel and steering reponsiveness is incredible compared to the Buick. (Reminds me of the old Tiger Paw commercials.) Pontiac is winning me over every time I drive the Bonneville. Should the G- 8 live up to expectations, I will be ordering one as the '12 models arrive in about 4 years.
Favorite Features
3800 Series II! XM, sunroof, visual impact of styling, steering.
Suggested Improvements
Bring it back in some way!
If Only...
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP 4dr Sedan (4.6L 8cyl 4A)
Review
This has been a nice car to drive over the past three years. It has decent pickup and great road manners. It is quiet and has a smooth, comfortable suspension setup without excessive body roll in turns. The dual zone HVAC is a dream, always ready to make you absolutely comfortable no matter the weather outside. If I were to have any complaints about this car it would be the ill advised Intermediate Shaft in the steering column carried over from the Olds Aurora. When your GXP becomes afflicted with this malady you are stuck suffering through moans, groans and a stiff feel in tight turns; and a notchy "hitting a rock" feel in normal driving turn situations. This car depreciates quickly.
Favorite Features
The exterior styling that still turns heads around town. The "fill the wheelwell" wheels and tires. Of course the Northstar engine. And the heads-up display, an often overlooked feature that has become irreplaceable for me.
Suggested Improvements
It is not in production anymore, however if it were: loose the IM shaft, put in a 6 speed paddle shift transmission, find front brake pads that don't put out so much dust, and install an interior fuel filler release with lanyard attached to the cap.
Love my GXP
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP 4dr Sedan (4.6L 8cyl 4A)
Review
Great car. Lots of room, has lots of power. Really comfortable....no major problems. Northstar V8 is great.
Favorite Features
Fast
Suggested Improvements
View Pricing for Other Years
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