REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

All in moderation

Pontiac had renovated the Bonneville from top to bottom last year. It takes on the same platform as the Buick Le Sabre: an evolution of the G platform upon which the first generation of the Oldsmobile Aurora, introduced in 1995, was built. A platform that Pontiac garnishes - once more, unfortunately - with an extravagantly styled body that could, right from the start, prove unpopular with a clientele that traditionally prefers sobriety.What criteria will foremost determine the purchase of your next vehicle? Price? Undoubtedly. Reliability? Surely. And what about the exterior appearance? Pontiac considers this to be determining factor of the Bonneville’s success. An ostentatious style devoid of finesse, but which allows Pontiac to distinguish itself in an automobile world where all cars essentially look alike.

In order to live up to the expectations of a clientele drawn to an exterior covered with extravagant protuberances, the interior of the Bonneville was decorated in a similarly outrageous fashion. The dashboard, of an original and subtle sporty design, breaks with tradition. The complete and readable instruments light up at night with a spectacular orange glow. One sour note, however: the overwhelming number of buttons. Other faults? The front door pockets are too small, therefore impractical; the center part of the rear bench set, while it suits small children, may irritate grown-ups with a back rest that’s as stiff as a board; and what to make of the front bucket seats, whose support is too soft? Even more exasperating for a vehicle of this range is the imperfect finishing, not to mention an assembly that’s less than flawless. Unacceptable. On the other hand, points go to the trunk - whose capacity, wide opening and lowered sill facilitate loading - the rear seat that flips down partially or completely, and the relatively complete standard equipment of the SSEi model.Beyond the equipment and garnish, what does the SSEi have to offer that the SE and SLE models, more reasonably priced, don’t? It offers a more stable suspension (stiffer springs, thicker anti-roll stabilizer bars), tires with better traction on dry pavement (you should still rely on winter tires for snow), traction control (available for a supplement on the other models), as well as a performance axle ratio that provides marked acceleration. Furthermore, the 3.8-litre engine that powers the SSEi produces 35 hp more than the regular V6 thanks to the help of the supercharger. All things considered, even though the engine of the Bonneville SSEi may never be awarded the Nobel prize for refinement, its vim and vigour make up for its crudeness. Although an automatic transmission is your only choice, it will not disappoint.

Brought to life with a turn of the starter, the exhaust mimics the throaty and virile sound of the V8 of yesteryear. The SSEi reaches 100km/h in less than 8 seconds, a performance out of reach for the SE and SLE models equipped with the naturally aspirated V6. Compared to the V6 engines of its European and Asian competitors, the Bonneville SSEi certainly lacks smoothness and gentleness, but it has nothing to envy them in acceleration, pick-up and fuel consumption, on the highway at least; while in the city the engine is less than economical (and takes nothing less than supreme!).

Does this mean that the Bonneville SSEi is sporty? Let’s just say that it can hold a straight line and handle one turn after the other, in due time. There’s no point in rushing it, since the inertia of its stiff but lazy chassis calls for harduous steering when the time comes to make it dance. Better to enjoy its stability when negotiating wide curves at high speed. The Magnasteer variable-effort steering, however, feels a bit sluggish and could be a little more precise, and the turning radius should be shortened to make city driving more pleasant.

The modifications to the suspension, among other things improve road feedback. Indeed, it makes for a better driving experience by absorbing, as well as buffering, shocks which in turn render the vehicle’s handling more neutral and reassuring. As for the braking system, it provides secure and efficient stops, but its power is mediocre, requiring a forceful push of the pedal to slow down.

In the end, the Bonneville can seduce with its roomy and comfortable interior, but it remains less than dynamic - in spite of certain electronic gadgets - when compared to competitors that are more powerful, more refined, and sometimes less expensive.

PROS
Convincing acceleration and pick-up
Stable and reassuring road handling
Complete onboard instruments

CONS
Inadequate braking
Mediocre assembly
Esthetics lacking in finesse and sobriety

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * *
Passenger: * * * *

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