GMC Sonoma High Rider: Bring it on

July 6, 2000
Late last winter, the worst snowstorm of the season closed our office early. While others fretted about the blizzard and the drive home, I thought, "Bring it on!"


That's because earlier that day I saw what I'd be driving on my commute home: a Sonoma High Rider 4WD pickup truck. The compact truck looked ready for anything with aggressive 31 3 10.5R15 all-terrain tires and a ground clearance typically reserved for full-sized models.

The Sonoma didn't disappoint as I handily wheeled around cars struggling for purchase on the slick roads. I switched into 2WD just for fun, but quickly returned to 4WD when cars started passing me. Stopping the 3,765-lb truck was surprisingly sure given the icy conditions, thanks to four-wheel-disk, antilock brakes, and the big tires.

As the snow cleared, leveling the playing field with the cars, the Sonoma made it easy to resume normal driving. A pushbutton Insta-Trac transfer case lets drivers shift on-the-fly to and from the 4WD high range at any speed. Low-range 4WD is entered in neutral, preferably at about 3 mph.

New for this year is a higher-powered Vortec 4.3-liter V6 engine. It generates 190 hp at 4,400 rpm, and 250 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm, a 15 hp and 10 lb-ft increase. The engine uses new roller rocker arms, a roller timing chain, and a powdered-metal timing sprocket. These valvetrain upgrades are said to boost durability and minimize engine noise.

The more potent power plant, combined with optional 3.73-ratio gears in the locking rear differential, give the little pickup extra zip and a 5,700-lb towing capacity, a 600-lb increase over last year. The engine couples to either a four-speed overdrive automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The automatic's 0.70:1 overdrive ratio tames the steep gear at highway speeds, letting the engine turn just 2,000 rpm at 65 mph. Surprisingly it didn't help the gas mileage much. I got about 16 mpg in combined city/open-road driving, the low end of the EPA estimate.

Those expecting a carlike ride in a pickup may be disappointed with the Sonoma. It definitely feels like a truck -- but in a good way. Bumps are noticeable yet hardly seem to phase the heavy-duty ZR2 suspension with beefy 46-mm Bilstein shocks. Despite the tall stance, the truck is remarkably stable at highway speeds and in turns.

Driving long distances may be uncomfortable for more than two people at a time, however. The rear jump seats raise seating capacity to five, although quarters are a bit cramped in the rear for all but the smallest adults. My friend's 6-year-old got cranky after sitting back there for about an hour. While the High-Rider isn't the best family hauler, it's perfect for serious off-road romps. Drive one home for about $26,000.

--

Sponsored Recommendations

NEW Low Profile, Ultra Compact Power Supplies

March 13, 2024
Learn more HERE about Altech's Power supplies!

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

All-In-One DC-UPS Power Solutions

March 13, 2024
Introducing the All-In-One DC-UPS, a versatile solution combining multiple functionalities in a single device. Serving as a power supply, battery charger, battery care module,...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!