Which Pontiac Bonneville Version Should You Buy?
The Pontiac Bonneville version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want traditional RWD character, lower fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, or the best power-to-weight figure in the supplied specifications.
The Pontiac Bonneville version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want traditional RWD character, lower fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, or the best power-to-weight figure in the supplied specifications. The principal candidates are the 6.4 AT and 6.6 AT V8 versions of the fourth generation, the 6.6 AT Estate of the sixth generation, the naturally aspirated and compressor-equipped 3.8 AT sedans of the eighth through tenth generations, and the tenth-generation 4.6 AT. The catalogue covers 10 generations from 1958 through May 2005, but detailed modification data are available for only five generations. Prices, reliability records, external dimensions, wheelbase, and wheel sizes were not measured, so they cannot determine the recommendation.
Pontiac Bonneville generations compared
The first generation ran during 1958 as a Coupe Hardtop. It has no listed versions, so its engine, performance, economy, weight, and chassis specifications are not measured.
The second generation covered 1959–1960 and used a Sedan Hardtop body. No versions are listed; consequently, figures requested in searches for 1959 Pontiac Bonneville specs are not measured in this dataset.
The third generation was produced from 1961 through 1964 as a Cabrio. It also has no listed versions, leaving its engine and performance specifications not measured.
The fourth generation, built from 1965 through 1970, was a Sedan Hardtop with two versions: 6.4 AT and 6.6 AT. Both combine a V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline engine, 3-speed Automatic transmission, RWD, independent spring front suspension, and Drum front brakes. The 6.6 AT develops 265 hp and 538 Nm, versus 225 hp for the 6.4 AT; torque for the 6.4 AT was not measured. That makes the 6.6 AT the stronger data-backed choice from this generation.
The fifth generation spanned 1971–1976 as a Sedan Hardtop. No versions are listed, and its technical figures are therefore not measured.
The sixth generation ran from 1977 through 1981 as an Estate 5-door with one listed version, 6.6 AT. It uses a 6,555 cc V-shaped 8-cylinder Gasoline engine producing 180 hp and 420 Nm, coupled to a 3-speed Automatic transmission and RWD. This is the only Estate 5-door represented by detailed specifications.
The seventh generation covered 1982–1986 and returned to a Sedan body. It has no listed versions, so its engine, horsepower, economy, and weight are not measured.
The eighth generation ran from January 1987 through January 1991 as a Sedan with two 3.8 AT versions, distinguished here by output: 150 hp and 165 hp. Both have a 3,791 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline engine, no boost, a front longitudinal engine position, 4-speed Automatic transmission, and FWD.
The ninth generation covered February 1991 through February 1999 as a Sedan with five listed 3.8 AT versions: 170 hp, 205 hp, 208 hp, compressor-equipped 225 hp, and compressor-equipped 240 hp. All use a 3,791 cc V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline engine, 4-speed Automatic transmission, and FWD. Compared with the eighth generation, the listed engine position changes from front longitudinal to front transverse, ground clearance falls from 150 mm to 140 mm, and rear brakes change from Disc to Drum.
The tenth generation ran from March 1999 through May 2005 as a Sedan with three versions: naturally aspirated 3.8 AT with 208 hp, compressor-equipped 3.8 AT with 240 hp, and 4.6 AT with 275 hp. All have a 4-speed Automatic transmission and FWD. Ground clearance is 135 mm, and the listed rear brakes are Disc rather than the ninth generation’s Drum units.
Pontiac Bonneville engine options and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth, 6.4 AT | 225 hp | not measured | 6,375 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, 6.6 AT | 265 hp | 538 Nm | 6,554 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | not measured | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth, 6.6 AT | 180 hp | 420 Nm | 6,555 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 165 hp | 165 hp | 298 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 150 hp | 150 hp | 285 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 170 hp | 170 hp | 305 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 205 hp | 205 hp | 353 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 208 hp | 312 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 225 hp | 225 hp | 373 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | 240 hp | 380 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 208 hp | 312 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | 240 hp | 380 Nm | 3,791 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Compressor | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Tenth, 4.6 AT | 275 hp | 407 Nm | 4,565 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
The strongest listed Bonneville is the tenth-generation 4.6 AT at 275 hp. It has 35 hp more than the compressor-equipped 3.8 AT but 27 Nm more torque and 774 cc more displacement. Its specific output is about 60.2 hp per litre, while the 240 hp 3.8 AT reaches about 63.3 hp per litre. The compressor 3.8 AT therefore extracts more power from each litre, even though the 4.6 AT has the higher total output.
Within the ninth generation, the compressor-equipped 225 hp 3.8 AT adds 20 hp and 20 Nm over the naturally aspirated 205 hp 3.8 AT. The compressor-equipped 240 hp version adds a further 15 hp and 7 Nm. Against the naturally aspirated 208 hp version, the 240 hp car gains 32 hp and 68 Nm.
Pontiac Bonneville performance and fuel economy
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth, 6.4 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Fourth, 6.6 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Sixth, 6.6 AT | 18.1 s | 164 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 165 hp | not measured | 190 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 150 hp | not measured | 190 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 170 hp | not measured | 190 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 205 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 10 s | 200 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 225 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | not measured | 200 km/h | 11.7 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | 8.5 s | 220 km/h | 13.1 L/100 km | 8.7 L/100 km | 10 L/100 km |
| Tenth, 4.6 AT | 8.7 s | 175 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The clearest performance comparison comes from the tenth generation. The compressor-equipped 3.8 AT reaches 100 km/h 0.2 seconds sooner than the 4.6 AT and has a top speed 45 km/h higher, despite producing 35 hp less. It is therefore the performance choice on the measured results.
Compared with the naturally aspirated tenth-generation 3.8 AT, the 240 hp compressor version consumes 1.4 L/100 km more in the city, 0.6 L/100 km more on the highway, and 0.2 L/100 km more combined. In exchange, it provides 32 additional horsepower, 68 additional Newton-metres, and a 20 km/h higher top speed. Acceleration for the naturally aspirated version was not measured, so an acceleration difference cannot be stated.
Pontiac Bonneville dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size
Exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase were not measured for any generation. Wheel sizes were also not measured for every listed version.
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth, 6.4 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Fourth, 6.6 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| Sixth, 6.6 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | 85 L | not measured |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 165 hp | 1,500 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Eighth, 3.8 AT, 150 hp | 1,500 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 170 hp | 1,565 kg | not measured | 140 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 205 hp | 1,627 kg | not measured | 140 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | not measured | not measured | 140 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 225 hp | 1,627 kg | not measured | 140 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Ninth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | 1,575 kg | not measured | 140 mm | 68 L | not measured |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 208 hp | 1,630 kg | not measured | 135 mm | 70 L | not measured |
| Tenth, 3.8 AT, 240 hp | 1,720 kg | not measured | 135 mm | 70 L | not measured |
| Tenth, 4.6 AT | 1,670 kg | 2,025 kg | 135 mm | 70 L | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the eighth-generation 3.8 AT variants are the lightest at 1,500 kg. The tenth-generation compressor 3.8 AT is the heaviest at 1,720 kg, which is 90 kg more than the naturally aspirated 3.8 AT and 50 kg more than the 4.6 AT.
The ninth-generation compressor 3.8 AT with 240 hp has the best calculated weight-to-power figure among versions with measured weight: about 6.6 kg per hp. The tenth-generation 4.6 AT follows at about 6.1 hp per 100 kg, equivalent to about 6.1 kg per hp? No—the correct weight-to-power calculation is about 6.1 kg per hp, making the 4.6 AT the best by this measure. The tenth-generation compressor 3.8 AT is about 7.2 kg per hp, while its naturally aspirated counterpart is about 7.8 kg per hp.
Which Pontiac Bonneville version to buy
For the strongest measured performance, choose the tenth-generation 3.8 AT with 240 hp. Its compressor helps produce 380 Nm, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, and it reaches 220 km/h. Its combined consumption is 10 L/100 km, only 0.2 L/100 km above the naturally aspirated 208 hp version.
For maximum horsepower and the best calculated weight-to-power ratio among versions with measured kerb weight, choose the tenth-generation 4.6 AT. Its 275 hp and 1,670 kg produce about 6.1 kg per hp. It also supplies 407 Nm, although its measured 8.7-second acceleration and 175 km/h top speed trail the 240 hp 3.8 AT.
For the most economical version supported by complete consumption figures, select the tenth-generation 3.8 AT with 208 hp. It records 11.7 L/100 km in the city, 8.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 9.8 L/100 km combined. It also weighs 90 kg less than the compressor-equipped 3.8 AT.
For a lighter earlier FWD Bonneville, the eighth-generation 3.8 AT with 165 hp is preferable to the otherwise closely matched 150 hp version. Both weigh 1,500 kg and reach 190 km/h, but the 165 hp car provides 15 hp and 13 Nm more without a measured weight penalty.
For traditional RWD and the largest measured torque figure, choose the fourth-generation 6.6 AT. It delivers 265 hp and 538 Nm through a 3-speed Automatic transmission. However, its acceleration, top speed, consumption, weight, clearance, and fuel-tank capacity were not measured.
For buyers who specifically need the Estate 5-door body, the sixth-generation 6.6 AT is the only detailed choice. Its 180 hp, 420 Nm, 85 L tank, 3-speed Automatic transmission, and RWD define it clearly, but its 18.1-second 0–100 km/h time makes it the slowest version with measured acceleration.
No evidence-based recommendation can be made from these data concerning purchase price, cars for sale, reliability, problems, or maintenance costs. Those values were not measured; the choice above rests only on the supplied engine, performance, economy, weight, chassis, and body specifications.