The performance blitz that Pontiac pushes in advertisements is on target: Pontiac Bonneville is a power maverick with 17-inch aluminum wheels (now standard equipment), a 205 horsepower V6 engine (standard on Bonneville SE and SLE trims), and standard four-wheel anti-lock braking system. Bonneville takes tight turns and curves like a performance pro, but the interior is anything but a stunning performer. Steering wheel buttons appear as globs in space. Seat adjustment levers look and feel cheap. The dashboard is overloaded with eight vents and 38 center stack buttons. The two-panel sun visor is a design mess. And the interior slat-shaped coverings are ugly blobs.

Bonneville is not a discard product, but it is in desperate need of an interior makeover – something more than the redesigned center console/cup holders done for the 2002 model year. Standard fare on the Bonneville SE includes AM/FM stereo with CD player, remote keyless entry, tire pressure monitor, air conditioning, front and side impact airbags for front passengers, and four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Fuel estimates per gallon are 20 city/29 highway when fitted with automatic transmission. Suggested base price for Bonneville SE is $25,530.