RSS Feed
|
|||||
|
GMC’s Sonoma
I admit it; I’m not a truck person. I’ve driven them, when necessary and they have proved useful at times. Times like moving furniture or garden materials. But trucks are changing. The utilitarian pick-up has evolved and is still evolving becoming more of an SUV with a truck bed. That’s the essence of the GMC Sonoma Crew Cab. Sonoma brand manager Chris Mazglad observed, "Our new Crew Cab is a sure bet for growing families and professionals alike. Whether it’s a trip with the kids to the mall or transporting a crew to work, this GMC is definitely up to the task." I’ve just spent a few days with the top of the line Z85. Long recognized as the most versatile compact pickup truck on the market, GMC’s Sonoma Crew Cab’s four full-sized doors provide easy access to the roomy five-passenger interior. Driver-friendly features include an instrument panel with convenient ergonomics, a highly functional center console, and door panels with storage for maps and beverage containers. Angling the radio and HVAC controls 15 degrees towards the driver reinforces the feeling of a cockpit and shortens the driver’s reach. Rear door openings are broad for easy attachment of child safety seats and there’s plenty of knee- and elbow room to accommodate kids through their sprawling teenage years. A sliding rear window is standard for improved ventilation. The flip side of the Crew Cab’s dual personality is a hearty appetite for hard work. The cargo bay is equipped with a factory-installed bedliner, sturdy tie-down loops, and molded-in recesses that offer two-tier loading. With a payload rating of 1,125-pounds, this Sonoma can earn its keep at a construction site or haul home enough building materials to keep a do-it-your-selfer happy for weeks. The Sonoma Crew Cab’s 5,900-pound (2,676 kg) trailer-tow rating is more than adequate to transport a good-sized power boat when this truck is equipped with a weight-distributing hitch. A standard Vortec 4300 V6 engine delivering 190 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque is mated to a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission and an Insta-Trac four-wheel drive system. Pressing a button is all that’s necessary to shift from rear to four-wheel drive or from high to low range for climbing steep grades or sloshing through snow or mud. Four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS are standard for safe, sure stopping. The Crew Cab’s 122.9-inch wheelbase and 204.8-inch overall length yield a machine that’s both highly maneuverable and that fits easily into the garage. Like all GM vehicles the Sonoma has daytime running lamps that automatically provide the proper illumination for all conditions. Foglamps add a sporty touch. The PassLock theft-deterrent system blocks engine operation when any attempt is made to start the vehicle without the proper key. When programmed, power door locks with remote keyless entry automatically secure all four doors at speeds above 15 mph. I’m amazed at the improvements in GM’s audio systems. The system is equipped to play both CD’s, and cassettes in a compact and easy to use system. An overhead console provides handy temperature and compass readings. Retained accessory power allows the stereo, power windows, and other electrical gear to operate for up to 20 minutes after the ignition has been turned off or until a door is opened. The Vortec 4300 V-6 engine in my test truck was mated to a fully electronic four-wheel drive system. I didn’t attempt any rough off-road situation but the truck felt perfectly safe and stable in mild off-road situations. Sonoma’s Vortec 4300 V6 delivers 190 bhp and 250 lb-ft of torque in 4WD applications. The long-life engine coolant is good for up to five years or 150,000 miles and Sonoma can run up to 100,000 miles before the first tune-up is needed. I enjoyed my few days with this truck or SUV with a pick-up bed, or whatever we will start calling the type. It’s a truck that provides all the requirements of an SUV or the family car. The Sonoma trucks can be seen and test-driven at GMC of Thousand Oaks, in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall. |
for larger version       |
||||
