Recognizing the expanding role of the pickup as all-around transportation, General Motors decided it was time to send its compact twins to charm school, to smooth off the hard edges.

The new nose is smooth and rounded, the windshield is raked back and the glass is mounted almost flush. Besides giving the truck a more contemporary appearance, these aerodynamic design elements also help to reduce wind noise.

Like their primary competitors, particularly the Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota, the GM twins come in a number of variations. Riding a 108.3-in. wheelbase, the basic Sonoma/S-Series pickup has a standard cab and short cargo bed, with a 118-hp, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.

The optional variations include an extended cab, a long (8 ft.) cargo bed, longer wheelbases, and an on-demand 4-wheel-drive system, plus trim levels that expand amenities well into the region of passenger car comfort and convenience.

Extended cab models lead manufacturers to optimistic capacity claims, and the Sonoma/S-Series trucks are no exception. With two jump seats in the rear, GM claims seating for five in its extended cab models, and we assume that means all five would be seated inside the cab.

We consider this unlikely. Although the extended cab of our Sonoma SLS tester was roomy, stuffing two adults into the rear seats would require cooperation and perhaps a little Mazola. Small children might be able to tolerate traveling back there, but you?d better bring bribes.

Although the base engine is adequate, GM?s optional V6 engines really bring the Sonoma and S-Series to life. Both are 4.3 liters, the milder edition rated at 155 hp and 235 pound-feet of torque, the top of the line version producing 191 hp and 260 lb.-ft.

Like virtually all compact trucks, the transmission choices are a 5-speed manual (standard) or 4-speed automatic. Manual transmissions for V6-powered models have had some refinements for ?95 to enhance driveability and shift feel.