1994-2004 GMC Sonoma - Consumer Guide Automotive

Category	GMC Sonoma ext. cab 4WD, auto Rating (See All Ratings)

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	3

Quietness	3

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	1

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	4

Total Score:	36

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

Chart: One rating chart provided for a representative model

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1994-2004 GMC Sonoma Review

As in the pre-1994 generation, the redesigned GMC Sonoma and similar Chevrolet S-Series compact pickup shared basic styling. Each rode a modification of the prior generation's platform, with more powerful engines than before and newly available 4-wheel antilock braking. Overall lengths increased by about 10 inches, for all three body styles: regular-cab long- and short-bed, and extended-cab short-bed. A redesigned dashboard and console included two cupholders. Pickups again came with rear-drive or part-time 4-wheel drive, with 4-cylinder or V6 engines and a 6- or 7.5-foot cargo bed. Rear antilock braking was standard on 4-cylinder models; V6s got new 4-wheel ABS that worked in both rear-drive and 4WD.

Year to Year Changes

1995 GMC Sonoma: A driver-side airbag arrived in mid-1995, along with daytime running lights.

1996 GMC Sonoma: Engines gained horsepower, and all Sonoma models now had 4-wheel antilock braking. A rear side door (on the driver's side) became optional on the SLS Club Coupe in mid-1996. It cannot be opened unless the front door is open.

1997 GMC Sonoma: Automatic transmissions could now have a floor lever, and extended-cab Sonomas could be equipped with a sport suspension.

1998 GMC Sonoma: Sonoma got a mild facelift and a restyled dashboard for 1998. The new dash adds a passenger-side airbag with shutoff switch.

1999 GMC Sonoma: Flash-to-pass headlights and available heated mirrors highlighted the changes for '99. However, in midyear, GMC dropped the 4WD regular-cab long-bed models.

2000 GMC Sonoma: A handling/trailering suspension became standard for 4-wheel-drive models. The previous SLE option package was now considered the new top-line model. Horsepower of the V6 engine rose to 180 with 2WD, or 190 with 4WD. Alterations to the V6 engine and manual transmission aimed at smoother, quieter running.

2001 GMC Sonoma: A 4-door Crew Cab model was added for 2001, and a 4-wheel-drive regular cab version was deleted from the lineup. The Crew Cab had four conventional front-hinged doors and a 4.6-foot box. Also for 2001, the sport suspension option included restyled alloy wheels.

2002 GMC Sonoma: GMC's version of the Chevrolet S-10 added air conditioning and a tachometer as standard on all models for 2002. And the long cargo bed, which had been dropped at the beginning of the model year, was later reinstated. A 6-disc in-dash CD changer was a new '02 option, and Crew Cabs were now available with heated front seats.

2003 GMC Sonoma: A new ZRX Street Rider package for the 2WD SLS short-bed included a power sunroof. Four-wheel-drive models got standard rear-disc brakes.

2004 GMC Sonoma: Sonoma continues only as a 4WD Crew Cab in 2004.

1994-2004 GMC Sonoma Road Test >

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