2001 Pontiac Bonneville

The verdict:

Versus the competiton:

Smooth ride and predictable, sure-footed handling that makes it a pleasure to head into and out of those twisting, winding roads just across the border in Cheddarland.

Plenty of power from the 3.8-liter, 205-h.p. V-6, yet still a most favorable 19 m.p.g. city/30 m.p.g. highway mileage rating.

Bonneville comes with smooth, well-cushioned, supportive seats that hold you in place for aggressive driving, though the seat-cushion bottom is a tad short for total thigh support on long cruises.

But, wow, does this car need plastic surgery! Bonneville was redesigned only a year ago, and the body isn’t aging well.

Long one of our favorites for its sporty performance in a family-sedan package, the 2001 Bonneville looks bulky and bulgy on the outside and the instrument panel is overcrowded with buttons, knobs, dials and air ducts–more ducts than Chrysler has cupholders.

It once was fashionable to have a jet cockpit-like dash with 1,000 dials and assorted gauges. Now people want it simple.

Bonneville needs a stylist’s blade to slim the outside and an interior designer to eliminate the confusion and busy work.

Base price of the SE we tested is $25,075. The top-of-the-line SSEi comes with StabiliTrak and traction control as standard. The base SE does not offer StabiliTrak, only traction control as an option–part of a $1,840 package that includes dual-zone air conditioning and OnStar among a host of items on our test car.