The Detroit News's view

General Motors Corp’s big family sedans share a lot of bits and pieces under the skin, but each vehicle has a different and distinct personality. The Buick LeSabre is aimed at older, more conservative buyers, while the new Oldsmobile Aurora aims to attract “import intenders.”

The Pontiac Bonneville, which was redesigned for model year 2000, falls somewhere in the middle. Despite its new sheet metal, the Bonneville still seems to be pitched mainly at males – particularly the flashy SSEi model we tested.

She: So, I had a chat with a member of the Bonneville brand team while we tested the redesigned Pontiac sedan. She told me that they actually created a pretend guy from their target audience, to put a face on the typical Bonneville buyer. His name is Steve. He’s in a mid-level sales job. He’s been married 20 years, never divorced, with two rebellious teen-agers. He’s in a gourmet club, and was into cigars, but gave them up. It sounded so much like you, I asked, “What’s his wife’s name?” But it turns out they haven’t created her yet.

He: I’m amused that Pontiac would even include a woman on the Bonneville team. The car is such a total male fantasy, with all the gizmos and silly cosmetic add-ons, like the body cladding and rear spoiler. You know, I was prepared to intensely dislike the Bonneville, solely on the basis of its looks. But I wound up falling in love – well, in lust – with it. That’s how good this car rides, handles and performs. Among all GM’s full-size sedans, this may be my personal favorite in terms of its sheer performance. Now, if only they could mate that performance to the body of the new Oldsmobile Aurora.

She: Hold on there. You sound as supercharged as the SSEi we tested. I want to back up a minute and say we actually tested two versions of the Bonneville – an SE with a base price of $23,680 and the tricked-out SSEi that cost $34,625 with all the options. Here’s my main point with the Bonneville. The more frugal SE is a perfectly fine vehicle with lots of personality and comfort. We only have room to rate one version of the Bonneville and you picked the SSEi. But if it had been my choice, we would have focused on the SE and it would have earned four stars. But I’m not as sold on the SSEi. I’m not sure you need to spend that extra money. Convince me, Steve.

He: Hang on. Lemme put out my cigar.

She: Pontiac claims you gave them up.

He: Look, I had no problem with the Bonneville SE. It’s just not that exciting. And you don’t have to buy all the options that came on our SSEi. I’d skip the $980 power sunroof, which cuts down on headroom, and the $595 trunk-mounted CD changer, which I never used because the in-dash unit is fine. But I do love some of the standard features on the SSEi, including that terrific supercharged 3.8-liter V-6. It makes 240 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque. It really feels like a big V-8, and is very responsive to the slightest input. GM has matched i t with a four-speed automatic that seems perfectly geared to take advantage of the engine’s torque curve.

She: You don’t get some of the advanced features like Stabilitrak on the SE, although side air bags and antilock disc brakes are standard on both models. I also like the little touches like battery rundown protection, which saved me one night from a dead battery when I didn’t slam the door shut all the way. I’m not as sold on some of the gimmicks like the head-up display.

He: I think I’m finally getting used to it. It was actually nice to have the speed displayed in big digital numbers in the lower part of the windshield, so you didn’t have to take your eyes off the road in a low-speed zone. But I most admired the SSEi when I had to drive long distances. It’s an absolute pleasure to drive, with the performance suspension and variable-rate power steering.

She: I’m pretty sure the Bonneville brand team held off on creating Steve’s wife, because they know she wou ave nagged him into sticking with the 16-inch wheels and lower sticker on the SE.

2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi

Anita’s rating: above average

Paul’s rating: world class

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan

Price: Base, $31,635; as tested, $34,625 (inc. destination charge)

Engine: 3.8-liter V-6; 240-hp; 280 lb-ft torque

EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan*: $1,274 (Estimate. Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Lake Orion

Likes: Sensational performance from supercharged V-6. Best handling among GM’s big sedans. Great standard safety features, including side air bags and Stabilitrak. Finally getting used to head-up display (Paul). Precise power steering.

Dislikes: Top-of-the-line SSEi is too expensive. Aggressive styling may turn off women. Power sunroof cuts down on headroom (Paul). Never used the optional trunk-mounted CD changer. Looks better without rear spoiler.