2001 GMC Sonoma: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

GMC's version of the Chevrolet S-10 adds a Crew Cab body style and makes a 3rd door standard on its extended-cab for 2001. The Crew Cab has four front-hinged doors and a 3-passenger rear bench seat. The extended-cab has a left-side rear-hinged back door and a one-person fold-down jump seat. All models are available with a 4 cyl or V6 engine and manual or automatic transmission. Extended-cabs offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Regular cabs come only in rear-wheel drive, Crew Cabs only with 4WD. Cargo beds are 6 ft or 7.3 ft on regular cabs, 6 ft on extended cabs, and 4.6 ft on Crew Cabs. The 6-ft bed is available as a flare-fender Sportside in addition to flush-fender Wideside form. Front seating is a 3-place bench or extra-cost buckets. ABS is standard, and 4x4s get 4-wheel disc brakes. Maximum towing capacity is 6175 lb. 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.

This year we are limiting our Recommended choices to the Toyota Tacoma. It's every bit as good as the Ranger in daily use, just a tad more expensive.