Positioned in the middle of the compact pickup-truck market, the GMC Sonoma competed with the Ford Ranger and the Dodge Dakota, as well as its corporate sibling, the Chevy S-Series pickup. The Sonoma was available in both 2-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive versions, in both regular (with a short and long bed) and extended body versions. The Sonoma offered three trim levels, base, Special, and top of the line (SLE).
Year-to-year changes
1993
A special version of the SLS is the "Highrider," which offers a raised suspension, gas-pressurized Bilstein shock absorbers, tougher axles, a locking rear differential, 3.9-in. wider track plus under-body shielding that will appeal to off-road enthusiasts. The base engine is a 2.2-liter inline ohv Four, and is available on 2-wheel-drive models only. Optional engines are a 4.3-liter ohv V6 and an Enhanced high-output version of the same engine that delivers 36 more horsepower than the standard 4.3. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 4-speed automatic overdrive is optional. A 2-speed transfer case with a floor-mounted shift lever allows shift-on-the-fly 4wd operation. A 2-speed electric-shift transfer case is optional.
The 1995 GMC Sonoma stands at parade rest, recovering from the rigors of last year's total redesign. As a result, GMC has concentrated on a number of small improvements such as a driver's-side airbag and improved lumbar support on optional bucket seats. The other big news is that extended-cab models will now be available after a one-year hiatus.
Retail prices
As of December 17, 1993:
- $9,806 (1994 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $10,106 (1994 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $14,306 (1994 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $14,606 (1994 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $11,138 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Regular Cab)
- $12,113 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Extended Cab)
- $15,638 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Regular Cab)
- $16,613 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Extended Cab)
- $11,680 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLE 4x2 Regular Cab)
- $16,180 (1994 GMC Sonoma SLE 4x4 Regular Cab)
As of late 1994:
- $10,415 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $10,725 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $11,768 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $12,038 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $12,843 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Extended Cab)
- $14,785 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $15,360 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $16,128 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $16,668 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $17,183 (1995 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Extended Cab)
As of August 1, 1995:
- $10,540 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $10,850 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $14,910 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $15,485 (1995 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $11,090 (1996 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $11,400 (1996 GMC Sonoma SL 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $12,352 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $12,622 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x2 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $13,852 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLE 4x2 Extended Cab)
- $15,730 (1996 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $16,305 (1996 GMC Sonoma SL 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $16,982 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Short Bed Regular Cab)
- $17,522 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLS 4x4 Long Bed Regular Cab)
- $18,482 (1996 GMC Sonoma SLE 4x4 Extended Cab)
Shipping prices
- $470 (1994 models)
- $480 (1995 models)
- $485 (1996 models)
Gallery
