2000 GMC Sonoma: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Extra V6 horsepower and a standard handling/trailering suspension for 4-wheel-drive models top the year-2000 news for Sonoma, a mechanical twin of the Chevrolet S-10 and Isuzu Hombre.

Regular- and extended-cab Sonomas return in SL and upscale SLS trim, while last year's SLE option package is now considered the new top-line model. A driver-side rear door is optional for extended cabs. Cargo beds of 6 and 7.3 feet are offered. Both come in flush-fender Wideside form, with the 6-foot bed available as a flare-fender Sportside. Front seating is a 3-place bench seat or extra-cost buckets. For 2000, the buckets are standard on 4WD SLS and SLE regular cabs and on 4WD extended-cabs. Extended cabs add two rear jump seats, with the left one eliminated on 3-door models. Antilock brakes are standard; 4x4s have 4-wheel discs.

Base power is a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder. Optional on 2WD Sonomas and standard on 4x4s is a 4.3-liter V6 with 180 or 190 horsepower, respectively. The base V6 previously had 175 hp. Both engines team with manual or optional automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 6400 pounds. Sonoma 4x4s use GM's InstaTrac system, which is not for use on dry pavement but offers on-the-fly shifting at any speed via a dashboard switch. Like this year's S-10s, Sonomas get alterations to the V6 and manual transmission aimed at smoother, quieter operation. The 2001 Sonoma and S-10 will offer crew cab body styles with four conventional side doors. Sonoma's performance and accommodations mirror those of equivalent S-10s.

COMPETITION

Among compact pickups two vehicles really stand out. The Dodge Dakota and the Ford Ranger (and clone Mazda B-Series). Dakota is the only one to offer a V8 engine and near-full-size cargo and towing capacity. Ranger is the most refined and probably the best daily use vehicle.

Among the Recommended choices we really like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma for their drivability and comfort. General Motors' compacts (the Chevy S-10 and GMC Sonoma) are getting a bit long in the tooth. But they still offer class-leading ride quality and a strong V6 engine.