2001 GMC Sonoma Review
2001 GMC Sonoma Review
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Used Sonoma for sale
Appraise This CarGMC Sonoma model years
GMC Sonoma types
- Extended Cab
- Crew Cab
- Regular Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Sporty styling, fuel-efficient base engine, powerful optional V6.
Cons
- Cheesy interior plastics, low seating positions, spotty build quality.
What’s new
An all-new model has been added to the Sonoma lineup for 2001, a four-door Crew Cab, complete with Vortec 4300 V6, automatic transmission, InstaTrac four-wheel-drive system and SLS trim. Powertrain improvements incorporate an advanced control module for the V6 and flex-fuel capability for the four-cylinder. There are also new aluminum wheels with the sport suspension, and programmable automatic power door locks.
Edmunds says
We know the value of an old trusty pickup, but in the Sonoma's case, it's just plain old. A redesign is on the way in a couple years, but if you need a compact truck now, better check out the competition first.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 GMC Sonoma 2dr Regular Cab SL 2WD SB (2.2L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$202/mo for Sonoma SL
Sonoma SL
vs
$240/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
With an aggressive look, available sport suspension, third-door extended cab, snazzy Sportside bed and a strong 4.3-liter V6 under the hood, GMC's Sonoma has been positioned as a more versatile alternative to the traditional sporty coupe. But with the addition of a true, four-door Crew Cab model this year, Sonomas can be configured to suit just about any driving requirement, from people or utility hauler to off-road bruiser. You can choose from three wheelbases, four cabs (regular, two- or three-door extended, and now four-door crew), a short box or long box in Wideside or Sportside versions and two- or four-wheel drive. Then, you still have to consider three trim levels (SL, SLS and SLE), two engines (a four-cylinder or V6), a manual or automatic transmission, and no less than five different suspensions (three for 2WD and two for 4WD models). Whew!
Four-wheel-drive models, which have four-wheel disc brakes and GM's electronic InstaTrac transfer case standard, are motivated by a 190-horsepower Vortec 4300 V6 (with 250 foot-pounds of torque). Opt for the 4.3 in a 2WD Sonoma, and it'll deliver 180 horses. The base powertrain is a 120-horse, 2.2-liter four-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic is optional on all but the new Crew Cab, where it's standard. Two-wheel-drive buyers can choose from an all-purpose "smooth-ride" suspension, a firmer "heavy-duty" setup, or a handling-oriented ZQ8 "sport" version. With a "high-payload" suspension standard on 4WD trucks, you'll want to order the High-Rider package if serious off-roading is part of your driving mix. Tagged the ZR2 option, High-Riders boast a bigger, reinforced frame, beefy shocks and three-ply all-terrain tires.
Inside, Sonomas and Chevrolet S-Series pickups are virtually identical, with a roomy cab and modern dash layout. Center stack controls are canted toward the driver for improved access. Unfortunately, the cloth trim and carpeting feel thin, and plastic used for dash panels and switchgear still looks as though it was sourced from a toy company. On extended-cab trucks, an optional left-side access door makes loading/unloading a breeze, but choosing the three-door cab eliminates one of the rear fold-out jump seats.
Outfit a Sonoma with the 180-horse V6 and five-speed stick and add the ZQ8 sport suspension, and this little truck performs as energetically as some sports cars did a decade ago. The curvy Sportside box and sharp, new five-spoke alloys nicely complement the package, turning the Sonoma into a true factory sport truck. Sure, competitors from Ford and Toyota come across as more refined than Sonoma, and the one from Dodge feels large enough to be in a class by itself. But if you're looking for a sporty hauler or just a compact that can carry the whole crew, Sonoma's the hot ticket.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 GMC Sonoma.
5 star(47%)
4 star(28%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(3%)
40 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
AWESOME TRUCK!!!
Turtle82783, 04/25/2009
2000 GMC Sonoma SLS Sport 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
This was my 1st truck. I bought it in 2003, and now in 2009 and trading it in. I absolutely love this truck and it is breaking my heart to get rid of it, but it is time. I have put a lot of work into keeping it in top condition with normal maintenance. This truck was always there for me and I highly reccomend it to anyone who loves trucks and is looking for a smaller one.
4.38 out of 5 stars
What once was, California ruined
Lar, 05/07/2010
2001 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
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.
4.88 out of 5 stars
2001 GMC SONOMA Crew Cab
Dave M., 07/10/2003
2001 GMC Sonoma 4dr Crew Cab SLS 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A)
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.
4.38 out of 5 stars
'01 Sonoma SLS
Icebox, 04/23/2009
2001 GMC Sonoma 2dr Regular Cab SLS 2WD SB (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2001 GMC Sonoma, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sonoma since its last redesign.
2001 Sonoma Highlights
Extended Cab
SL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $16,072 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $202/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 6,175 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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