Pontiac Bonneville -- Family Sedan's Redesign Avoids `Boring' Label

For 35 years, Pontiac has fastened the Bonneville badge onto many stylish and competent cars. The 1992 model is no exception.

Redesigned for '92, the current Bonneville shows that a family sedan need not be boring. The rounded exterior accented by cat-eye headlights and standard integrated fog lamps gives the Bonneville a jazzy look that doesn't overpower the car's comfortable, middle-of-the-road feel.

Thanks to greater length and width, the 1992 Bonneville's interior is spacious, with plenty of room in back for three adults. Leg-room is so good I could cross my legs back there, even with the front seats back all the way.

A driver-side airbag is standard for the first time, and shoppers will find that the Bonneville comes with a lot of standard equipment: air conditioning, power windows, theft deterrent system and power door locks.

That helps explain the rather hefty base price of $18,599 for the SE, the lowest-priced model. Other models with more equipment standard are the $23,999 SSE and $28,045 SSEi.

The SE offered for testing included a sport suspension (part of a $551 option package) that stiffened the ride admirably so curves and turns required less fuss. The tradeoff was some loss of cushioned ride.

The Bonneville has nice touches. The center rear armrest includes two cup-holders, and the radio on the test car would continue playing for 10 minutes or until a door was opened after the auto was turned off because of a special, retained accessory power feature.

The rear fabric seats are softly cushioned and comfortable, but a piece of fabric tended to pull free from the back of the front-seat headrest on the test car and hang out awkwardly.

A standard theft deterrent system doesn't require any extra driver effort to arm and disarm.

The car offered for testing included the optional (for $220) front bucket seats with center armrest with one cup-holder. Front seats on the SE have no lumbar support and could be a bit fatiguing on long trips.

I also could readily hear the engine rumble, and the Goodyear Eagle GT touring tires added some road noise.

Bonneville sales in the last model year totaled 64,349 but are up 66.8 percent - to 36,542 - so far in the 1992 model year through Feb. 10, compared with the year-earlier period. --------------------------------------------------------------- REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK --------------------------------------------------------------- 1992 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE Full-size, 5-passenger sedan

BASE PRICE: $18,599. (price as tested: $22,506)

TYPE: Front-engine, front-drive

ENGINE: 3.8-liter sequential tuned-port fuel-injected V-6.

FUEL ECONOMY: 18 mpg (city) 28 mpg (highway).

DIMENSIONS: Length: 200.6 inches Wheelbase: 110.8 inches. Curb weight: 3,362 lbs.

DESTINATION CHARGE: $555.

OBSERVATIONS

-- Options W21 sport package (includes sport suspension, antilock brakes, dual outlet exhaust) $551; ISD option group (includes cruise control, remote trunk release, power mirrors and six-way power driver's seat, keyless entry system) $1,242; front bucket seats with center console $220; rear window defogger $170; AM/FM stereo with cassette and graphic equalizer $650; rear spoiler $95; R68 value option package (includes monotone appearance package, custom trim, 16-inch cast aluminum wheels, P225/60R16 Goodyear Eagle GT touring tires) $724 less $300 package discount.