Pontiac Bonneville H 3.8 i V6 (208 Hp)


Overall Rating

8 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.2 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.7 / 5
Comfort 4.3 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Pontiac Bonneville:

The Pontiac Bonneville is a model line of full-size or mid-size rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive cars manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from 1957 until 2005.
The Bonneville , and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches long. They were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time at 5,000 pounds or more....(Read more on Wikipedia)

H Overview:

Pontiac Bonneville (H). With 312 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11.7 l/100km). With a weight of 1630 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 200 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Pontiac Bonneville H generation was primarily sold in North America and was not tested by Euro NCAP. It received decent ratings in contemporary NHTSA (US) crash tests for its time.

3.8 i V6 (208 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

The naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 (L36) provides solid, dependable power for everyday driving. While not as quick as the SSEi, it's more than adequate for highway cruising and city commutes.

Fuel Economy

With a combined fuel economy of 9.8 l/100 km, this engine offers a slightly more efficient option than its supercharged counterpart, making it a good balance for daily use.

Best Use Case: Daily Commute / Highway

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Spacious and comfortable interior, ideal for long journeys
  • • Powerful supercharged V6 option (SSEi) offers strong acceleration
  • • Generally reliable 3.8L V6 engine family
  • • Smooth, compliant ride quality
  • • Distinctive American styling

Cons:

  • • Handling is soft and not particularly agile
  • • Interior design can feel dated compared to rivals
  • • Fuel economy, especially on the SSEi, can be high
  • • Some common GM issues like intake manifold gaskets and transmission solenoids
  • • Large exterior dimensions can make city parking challenging

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II: 1995 - 1999).

General:
Brand:Pontiac
Model:Bonneville
Generation:H
Modification (Engine):3.8 i V6 (208 Hp)
Start of production:1999
End of production:May, 2005
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:208 Hp @ 5200 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:54.9 Hp/l [79mm more]
Torque:312 Nm @ 4000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:L36 More details about the engine L36
Engine displacement:3791
Number of cylinders:6
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Multi-port manifold injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Engine oil capacity:4.3 l
Coolant:12.3 l
Engine layout:Front, Transverse
Cylinder Bore:96.5 mm mm
Piston Stroke:86.4 mm mm
Compression ratio:9.4:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:11.7 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:8.1 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:9.8 l/100 km
Maximum speed:200 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:7.8 kg/Hp, 127.6 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:5.2 kg/Nm, 191.4 Nm/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:1630
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:510 l
Fuel tank capacity:70 l
Size:
Length:5145 mm mm [79mm more]
Width:1885 mm mm [7mm less]
Height:1440 mm mm [24mm more]
Wheelbase:2850 mm mm [35mm more]
Front track:1590 mm
Rear (Back) track:1580 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelFront wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesVentilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc
Assisting systemsABS (Anti-lock braking system)
Steering typeSteering rack and pinion
Power steeringHydraulic Steering
Tires size235/55 R17
Front suspensionSpring Strut
Rear suspensionCoil spring

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