What once was, California ruined
Lar on 05/07/2010
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I purchased my black beauty, SLS crew with 50 miles on it. I never had a moments problem with it, until I moved to California. The gas destroyed my engine. From 25 hwy/18.5 city to 14.5 hwy/12.5 city. In 9 months. The roads are so crappy they shook the speakers off their mounts and the asphalt ripped up my tires. They were pristine at 15,000 and needed replacing when I traded it in at 25,000 in 2006. It broke my heart to let it go but I couldn't afford whatever would happen next. Sparkplugs, EPA accessories, hoses, and belts were all replaced at 23,000, but the MPG didn't recover. WARNING!! Don't bring a midwest vehicle to California, sell it and buy one made for out here.
not bad for GMC
scott S on 01/24/2010
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 2
Reliability: 3
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 3
What can one say about a underpowered truck. It drives great but maybe you should have bought a Honda engine to power this beauty. I'd suggest the 2.4 Honda crv engine. This truck drive great and gets ok gas mileage as long as you stay off the highway. Whoever thought of butting 4/11 gears in a underpowered truck. Oh, maybe that's it, I see you have to compensate for the lack of power by gearing the truck low. The lack of quality is amazing, I've had to replace the third door handle three times until I fabricated and metal substitute. the emergency break actuator two times.
sonoma review
Sonoboy on 12/15/2009
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 3
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
Great little truck. Have a plow mount for it and it works great. Easy sight lines in reverse. Nice, comfortable interior. A/C works good, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, reading lights in the mirrors, mirror defrost option is really handy!!! Decent leg room, a little crampy on longer rides for big guys. Powerful motor that gets the job done. Nice package. Plenty of bed room and the extended cab provides a nice area for extra storage when you need it.
Sonoma
no on 07/10/2009
Performance: 2
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 1
I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle. I loved to drive it/love the way it looked but it sits broke down more than on the road. The fuel pump goes out about every other year, the power windows stop working, cd player stopped working. Had 38000 miles when I bought it (5-6years ago) and I only drive to work and back no heavy hauling it now has 100000 miles and the rear end is going out the transmission is going out couple of sensors in the motor are failing and it sits behind my garage..not the best $18000 spent! Really like the truck when it's running and not costing me money.
'01 Sonoma SLS
Icebox on 04/23/2009
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
I own a 2001 GMC Sonoma SLS, 2.2L 5spd Reg. Cab with the short-Stepside bed. It's a great little truck, a bit on the small side if you're a bigger person, (I'm 6'3", 280lbs) but I still seem to fit in there alright. It handles pretty well in town and it's easy to park because of its size, but when you're traveling at high speeds or going down windy roads, you can tell it's a light truck. Repair bills aren't usually too steep because the Sonoma shares parts with the Blazer, Jimmy and S-10 so getting cheap parts is easy. All and all, it's a pretty good little truck.
NICEST PICK-UP OUT THERE
Eric :) on 03/25/2009
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
My Sonoma is forest green and i have had many compliments since i have owned it. It drives pretty smooth, even with the mudding tires, and overall never had any problems out of it. I like how it has the sleek sporty look to it also.
SLS Short Bed 6' 5spdMT Great Truck
Owned for Five Years on 11/25/2007
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Owned mine 5 yrs & very happy with it. SLS, standard cab (2 seats), 5-speed manual trans., 2.2L 4-cyl., stereo with single CD, manual door locks and manual windows. 19-22 mpg city, 24.0- 25.6 mpg hwy; range about 350-360 miles/tank. Rides better with a load in the bed. Very reliable. Interior gauges easy to see. Daytime running lights & it switches automatically to night headlamps, very useful. Comfortable. Perfectly engineered for its purpose. Good looking exterior. I added a soft tonneau, then a cap when I could afford, which helped gas mileage 1-2 mpg. Great visibility without cap, limited but acceptable with cap. Small bump in bed where gas tank is, not a big deal. Good turning radius.
Respectable Little Truck
truckkid on 03/01/2007
Performance: 4
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 4
I was given this vehicle after my first vehicle's engine died. This is a stylish and smooth riding vehicle, but this is not the type of truck I wanted. I prefer trucks that are raised and larger. Overall, through the 2+ years i've had it, it has been mostly reliable, except i've had to replace the starter 3 times!! I would suggest this as a perfect truck for a beginning driver, because it is only a 4 cyl, has good gas mileage and wasn't an expensive purchase. This truck should be a parent's best friend, especially if they purchase the 4 cyl model because it is hard to speed in a truck equipped with so little horsepower!
Crummy ZR2
Patrick09 on 10/31/2004
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 3
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 3
I have a '01 Sonoma ZR2 with a 4.3 5
speed with just under 50k miles and I
have had nothing but trouble with it!
The biggest mistake was getting one
with California Emmissions, I have had
the Airpump go out 3 times on me and
the last time wasn't under warranty,
it cost me over $300 to fix. Also,
the syncros in the transmission are
horrid, even after having them
replaced under warranty!
Great Truck.
super sonoma on 05/03/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
My experience with this vehicle has
proved to be a very reliable one. i
have not had one problem with it. GMC,
keep up the good work. My Anti-locks
have proved to be very reliable as
well. If it is in your interest, add a
dual exhaust like me for great
performance and looks. Mine look great
Great (SO FAR) Minor stuff only
Trout Terminator on 02/16/2004
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 4
Bought this little gem to cart around
the oompa loompas and haul the boat, 17
foot Starcraft (2300) lbs. This truck
does it all very very well. Good to
fair gas mileage. (not bad for a semi-
thristy v-6). I get good mileage with
A/C on full blast also. Truck doesn't
mind a/c when towing and doesn't lose
power. Has a little bit of a knock
when you floor it....49k miles and have
only replaced the battery. (delco
batteries aren't top quality). Gas
gauge failed at 41k, thank god I bought
extended warranty. I still paid $140
out of my pocket to fix gauge. I paid
18,600 used, 14k miles on it
originally. I think price equals value
here.
Mixed Feelings
rreed2000 on 09/28/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
Fan clutch had to be replaced and hood had to
be repainted due to loss of glossy finish
immediately after purchase, valves are noisy at
1,700 rpm - but dealer says "yeah, they're
noisy but that's normal."
Other than the items listed above, poor over
build quality and less-than-stellar gas
mileage, I'd have to admit that the truck has
been reliable. But I will probably never buy
another GM product because of my
experiences with this one.
Review
Watch on 09/02/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Good vehicle very reliable
ronco
Ronnie on 08/06/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This is by far the best small pickup on
the market. Great gas milage.
gmc
Marjie on 07/21/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
this is a great vehicle but looking
forward to the release of the GMC
Canyon.
good little truck--sonoma ZR2
Nemesis on 07/12/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
IT a great truck, i like it even more
after the changes i have made to it
i've won 2 major car show awards with
this truck
2001 GMC SONOMA Crew Cab
Dave M. on 07/10/2003
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Simply put, this is the best truck I
have ever owned. It has all the bells
and whistles, it rides like a luxury
car and it is very ergonomic. The
Vortec V-6 has ample power to tow a
boat or small trailer and the on-the-
fly 4 wheel drive is hard to beat. I
reccomend this truck to anyone.
good truck
UPS MAN on 06/09/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Great truck, fun to drive. Also is
real sporty looking. Gets good gas
milage.
:)
Bart H on 05/05/2003
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I bought this truck new for less than
$10,000 and It has been great. I have
used it for work and play. I have
40,000 miles on it now and it still
makes me smile even when I make the
payments! For the money I give it a
10! - Bye
Super Sonoma
dale_3 on 08/03/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I bought this Sonoma after a crazy
woman turned directly into the path of
my '96 Sonoma.
The only complaint I have is with the
stock General tires. Replacing with a
softer compound increases performance
and ride. No problems at all with my
truck, I have a long commute to work
and it has performed flawlessly.
I do find just a bit of weight in the
bed helps with everyday driving. The
controls and comfort are good, the
engine is incredibly strong. I highly
reccomend this truck.
gmc sonoma q-85 sls
buster on 07/24/2002
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
great sporty looking, compact truck
2001 Sonoma SLS EXT Cab, 2WD
danman on 04/06/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
This truck is excellent from every
angle. It is a very comfortable ride,
the gas mileage is exceptional, and the
truck has plenty of power for a four
cylinder vehicle.
SLS Crew Cab 4WD
CareyM on 03/07/2002
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Overall I think this is a very nice truck. Roomy back seat when compared to other small crew cab trucks. Powerful V6 engine - a bit noisy but very high torque and towing power for a small truck. Very quiet cabin and smooth ride for a truck. Edmunds must have been looking at a lesser trim package. My loaded SLS Crew Cab has a very nice interior, very nice upholstery and I always receive compliments from people.