Overview & Reviews

GMC is a division of General Motors that focuses on producing SUVs, trucks and vans. Though GMC's vehicles are mechanically similar to related Chevrolet products, they are typically differentiated by unique features, trim levels and minor styling tweaks. The automaker's full-size pickups and SUVs are the most compelling offerings in its lineup; in many cases, its products in these categories are class-leading.

The marque's roots lie in the Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, a truck manufacturer that was founded by Max Grabowski in 1902. The outfit was purchased by General Motors in 1909 with the intention of having it serve as a division dedicated to building tough and capable trucks. The brand came to be known as GMC Truck; early models include the T16 and T20. Most of the manufacturer's trucks were very utilitarian in nature and functioned as dump trucks, fire trucks and military vehicles. GMC Truck's 3/4-ton Model 16 saw duty in World War I, serving mostly as a battlefield ambulance.

Sales continued to climb in the 1920s. After switching to a six-cylinder Buick-built motor, GMC Truck's 1- and 2-ton trucks earned the distinction of being the fastest in their classes. By the '30s, the line had grown to include everything from half-ton pickups to 10-ton trucks and buses. New models included the popular 1936 Suburban, which was essentially a truck-based station wagon that paired a truck's utility with a car's creature comforts.

World War II was a time of expansion for GMC Truck, thanks to its acquisition of Yellow Truck & Coach. Once again, the automaker's vehicles were tapped for wartime duty. New models like the Jimmy and the DUKW (nicknamed the Duck) were widely used by American troops.

Postwar, GMC Truck models became more consumer-oriented, and many were revamped to offer styling that more closely resembled passenger cars. The 1950s and '60s witnessed an upswing in sales, thanks to the popularity of recreational vehicles like GMC-based motor homes and pickup campers. The Jimmy name was revived and assigned to the brand's first ever sport-utility vehicle in 1970. That decade and the next saw a continued rise in the brand's popularity. The early '90s saw the brief appearance of the Syclone and Typhoon. The former was a small street pickup that burned up the asphalt with its turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive. The latter was essentially a two-door SUV based on the same platform. Either one of these oddball speedsters could rip through a quarter-mile in around 14 seconds flat, making them among the quickest vehicles ever offered by General Motors. Also, by this time, GMC Truck had trimmed its moniker; the brand is now known simply as GMC.

In the past few decades, GM has consolidated its products and GMC's trucks have become less individualistic as a result. Today, most of GMC's vehicles are virtually identical to those sold by Chevrolet. The main differences lie in minor features and design tweaks that give GMC's offerings a more upscale image.

User Reviews:

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  I will never own a GMC product again - 2004 GMC Sierra 3500
  By mikep16 - October 6 - 10:24 am

  From the Dealer using my truck to tow the owners horse trailer and adding 100 miles to it...to the more than $3000 I had to put into the electrical within 3 months-to the instrument panel stopping to work (speedo, then oil pressure, then battery-which comes and goes) $900 fix it so I just use a GPS for my speedo-to the rattle in the steering because of design issue always going out....to the electric seat positioning clicking 7-8 times before settling into place-to now the heater/AC blower stopped working and a cost of $750 to fix it at PEP Boys. Thanks to youtube the heater fix will only cost me $150 in parts. (my friend just had the same thing happen to his Tahoe and had to pay $750.

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  From one problem to next - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Peter - October 5 - 2:00 pm

  Bought it new. Replaced water pump, many bearings, idler, pitman arms, every kind of leak possible due to Dex- cool GM problem and had problems with 4x4. At least the body has held up over the years.

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  wow way to go gm - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By clyde deese - October 1 - 5:36 pm

  i have a gmc 2009 1500 sierra crew cab slt 4x4 i have problems with my back up sensors and transmission sliping and not wanting to shift or de shift down the brakes dont wanna stop some times, the truck cuts off goiong down the down the road, gas milage sucks i had a o6 2500 hd lifted with a 6.0 gas motor which got better gas mialge. i have had problems with traction control and with my radio/ on start not wanting to work. i just got denied by gm for repurishment and i been to the dealerships four time but they cant find anything they aint standing behind there vechicles.

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  Dont buy a Jimmy - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Jimmy - September 11 - 10:39 pm

  So far Ive replaced the alternator , water pump,starter,4-wheel drive actuator,radiator,fuel pump,fuel filter,drivers side window motor,heater core is now out.I once had the cruise control stick while I was exiting the interstate . It was almost devastating.If you like working on cars or paying a mechanic then this is the vehicle for you.My wife had to have this vehicle and I gave in.Now were both paying for it . Just to let you know the fuel filter costs $9.00 the tool to take it off with costs $15.00 .Buy anything other than G.M. .OR for that matter American made.Toyota , Nissan, Hyundai , Honda all build vehicles that are rated at the 200,000 mile mark. The American made 100,000 miles

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  Electronic Nightmare - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Terry Jackson - September 6 - 11:25 pm

  The vehicle has been one electrical problem after another. I have had two starter ignition switches replaced, the starter, two batteries, the ACcontrol panel driverside thermostat is bad. Theres aclicking sound under the dashboard (have yet to troubleshoot that as well as a clicking sound on the right aft side of the truck when I turn the defrost on. This is the worst vehicle I have ever own and I swear I will never buy GMC again. The interior is cheaply put together rattles far too much and the interior lighting is poor lit.

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  Are you kidding me! - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By missle711 - September 6 - 6:01 pm

  Wow, and I thought I was the only person who absolutely hates this SUV! Single mom trying to make it and this suv keeps putting me further in the whole. When my transmission went out the repair shop told me they replace at least two or more of these models of transmissions every week. They recommend that you buy a new transmission and have it rebuilt. Yeah $1500.00 and 1 1/2 years later the transmission is just about shot again. I have replaced almost all front end parts 2-3 times (yes, the same parts) I was told after buying it that it is a high maintenance suv. Wish someone would have told me that before I bought it...lol ABS/brake lights stay on wipers always break I could go on for days

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  Very poor reliablity and GMC Service - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By Blueskies123 - August 14 - 3:14 am

  At 50,000 miles the transmission was replaced. At 55,000 the AC condenser was replaced costing $1000. At 60,000 miles the AC compressor went out costing another $1,000. My biggest fear is they are replacing the poor components with same design so they will all fail again at 50,000 to 60,000 miles. GMC service could car less when I talk to them about these problems on a $70,000 vehicle.

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  Very poor reliablity and GMC Service - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By Blueskies123 - August 14 - 3:14 am

  At 50,000 miles the transmission was replaced. At 55,000 the AC condenser was replaced costing $1000. At 60,000 miles the AC compressor went out costing another $1,000. My biggest fear is they are replacing the poor components with same design so they will all fail again at 50,000 to 60,000 miles. GMC service could car less when I talk to them about these problems on a $70,000 vehicle.

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  lemon - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By barnold - August 3 - 10:50 pm

  Replaced ball joints twice, ignition switch, oil cooler lines, drivers side door window actuator, brakes every year, broken gas gauge, blown speakers, overheating problem with a/c, transmission at 60k, squeak problem from front end, door hinges, if this thing was worth anything I would drive it off a Cliff and collect the insurance. I want my money back. Also who let this off the engineers proof w/ out further inspection.

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  Dont even consider this vehicle! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By acadiaregret - August 3 - 2:10 pm

  If you are interested in an 08 Acadia do yourself a favor and RUN! All the problems with the first year 07s just continued with the 08s. I was back to the dealership every month the first year of ownership with problem after problem. The biggest problems being 10mpg fuel economy as well as multiple water leaks that could not be fixed. please be aware that if you decide to purchase and have problems, the only thing you will get out of GM customer service is a free oil change. Please learn from my mistake!