1996 Pontiac Bonneville Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

$22,179 to $27,149

Original MSRP

--

expert review

3.7

avg user rating

(14 reviews)
1996 Pontiac Bonneville Preview summaryImage

The USS Bonneville, Pontiac's full-size sedan, is a high-end luxury car that has a lot of engine power and zip and is able to seat six comfortably. Though automakers aren't really building boats anymore, the Pontiac Bonneville is as close as you'll get to the pre-1970s combo of interior space and upscale cruiser, only now it comes with excellent fuel economy.
The 1996 Bonneville came in two trims, the SE and SSE. Both were available with the new Series II 3.8-liter, 205-hp V6, but if you got the SLE package for the SE or the SSEi package for the SSE, you got the supercharged version of this engine. In 1996, this engine got a 15-hp boost to 240-hp. A 4-speed auto tran was the only transmission available. The SLE package on the SE came with leather seats, sunroof, performance suspension, ABS brakes, and 16-inch wheels. The SSEi package was similar and added badging and gaudier body trim. Other changes in the 1996 Bonneville included a restyling of the front and rear ends, a standard rear defroster, and auto climate control on the SSE. Also new were daytime running lights that switch to low beams as the sun sets, and standard on the SEE was Magnasteer variable effort steering, for more reponsive steering action. It's rare to have such a big luxury car that is also a performance vehicle, but with the supercharged engine, the 1996 Bonneville was fast on the highway. Owners say it has good pickup, and the handling makes it feel like a much smaller car. With 24/30 mpg, the fuel economy is also a nice surprise for its size. Other high points include all the interior room, the relatively inexpensive extra features, and the fun and fast driving experience. Cracks in the manifold are common, as is the tendency for the plastic interior parts to break. Owners say it is expensive to maintain, and there are numerous repairs, particularly with the transmission. If you open the trunk when it rains, the water tends to dump inside, and those with a sunroof have had problems with rain collecting inside the rear foot wells.

CarGurus Editorial Team
Published Aug 9, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.

User reviews for 1996 Pontiac Bonneville

Write a review
User rating:
by Anonymous
Feb 17, 2011
A great car I think it has the best engine GM made rides smooth ,look great you cant beat it has more things than some high dollar cars ,has never fail on me ,changed breaks and a crank sensor thats itFeb 17, 2011
by Justin M
Apr 06, 2010
reliable engine but cheap plastic interior parts. not the slowest thing on the road, but could still use noticably more power. comfortable, plenty of options for the money, a decent looking car for being a mid nineties pontiac. very few aftermarket parts howeverApr 06, 2010
by Samantha G
Nov 24, 2009
i love this car!! i use it daily for everything you could possibly think of. trasporting kids or pets or grocery's. you name it this car has moved it. it's ok to drive but in the end there are a few mechanical problems with it.Nov 24, 2009

1996 Pontiac Bonneville Pricing

Original MSRP
$22,179 to $27,149
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth

Tires and Rims

Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable

Lights

Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth

Tires and Rims

Wheels: alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: leather

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth

Suspension

Air Suspension: rear · Leveling: self leveling suspension

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning

Airbags

Dual front airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: power · Equalizer: graphic · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel

Comfort Features

Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic

Roof

Moonroof: power

Seats

Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth

Suspension

Air Suspension: rear · Leveling: self leveling suspension

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Windows

Front wipers: intermittent

See all trims (5)