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 Hate this vechile - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By justin d leblanc - March 31 - 10:00 am

  i bought this truck in june of 2003. i am very disappointed in the performance of this truck, the service from this dealership, and the warranty work performed. to tell you a little about this truck at 2000 miles the ac went out, at 4500 the heater went out, at 16000 miles the distributor cap went out causing me to have it towed. other things that have gone wrong from the shocks going out, the steering vibrates as you drive, the transmission kicks hard when put in gear. i strongly advise no one to buy this truck.

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  Complete Money Pit - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By spartan268 - March 25 - 3:30 pm

  My parents bought me this car when I turned 16, they got it for about $3000. Unfortunately, they didnt take the time to make sure everything was in good shape. Over the past 2.5 years Ive replaced: Trans, a/c condenser, cat converter, front hub assmebly, radiator, exhaust, battery (twice), several computer chips, and now my fuel pump just died. Im pretty sure theres more, but I cant even remember. Id also expect a small SUV to get a little better mileage. By now, I could have bought 3 of these with the price of repairs - this thing is such a headache and a money pit, I cant wait to get rid of it. This will hands down be the last GM I ever buy.

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  Junk - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By vince_27 - March 9 - 11:04 am

  Never buy a 99 GMC Jimmy 2 Door 4.3L Sport. They are Junk! I had to put a new trans in it $1500. Plus upper and lower ball joins on both sides $426. They heater dont work. Also the rear end needs to be rebuild $700. The pinion bearings and gears are bad. Make lots of humming noise when your going down the road and let off the gas.

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  Piece of Junk - 2006 GMC Yukon XL
  By bill rose - February 22 - 4:46 am

  We have had numerous repairs to brake system rotors pads to no avail. Brakes squeak like crazy. Tires wore out at less than 15,000 miles. Replaced with Michelins and rotors warped and brakes still squeak. GM says brake noise is normal. Not for what I paid for this piece of junk!

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  Very, very basic - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By Semi-satisfied - February 7 - 7:57 pm

  Good truck but very basic. Drive daily commute to work of 60 miles round-trip. Comfort is minimal compared to Ford Sport-Trac. Wide stance gives stable ride but very noisy inside. Needs better sound- proofing and door gaskets. Hard to see ignition key due to big steering wheel center. Hard to find and connect to the power outlets beneath the dash. Needs interior storage behind seats and read seat headrests block vision out back window.

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  Buyer Beware - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By DJB - January 25 - 9:16 am

  I purchased my SLT1 in January of 08 thats when my nightmare started. The transmission hesitation was terrible. The steering column was replaced after five months and the water leaks started. The vehicle developed mold and is still leaking and experiencing electrical problems.

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  Piece of Junk - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Nicole - December 16 - 9:51 pm

  The first year we bought this vehicle, we had no problems. Then it all happened. It only has 95000 kms now and was bought with 75000 kms. There is a knocking noise that happens intermittently that no one knows what it is, the brakes and rotors have been replaced, wheel bearings, the gas gauge hasnt worked for 3 years, the seat handle snapped off, the power window switch on driver side doesnt work, front speakers have blown for no reason oh and we get 200 kms a tank! This is a piece of junk and i would never buy one or any GMC again!

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  Never again! - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By ex-GMCers - December 16 - 1:14 am

  This was the worst choice we ever made! Things replaced: transmission module, overhead compass/temp, ignition switch, turn signal levers, oil cooler lines x3, door hinge pins, heater door, 4x4 buttons and front wheel bearings. Items with issues: transfer case removed d/t shifting fork lever sticking, transmission sun gear out, jack cover falls off constantly and speakers are crap. Depreciation is terrible. Definitely learned something from this purchase. Research, research, research. I wonder why GM is needing a bail out when they built crap like this but, attached a $31,000 price tag? Definitely expected more bang for our buck! If youre mechanically enclined this is a great vehicle to disolve your time on. Looks good on jack stands.

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  Things Falling Off the Truck - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Mike O - December 12 - 4:02 pm

  Its surprising how poorly GM designed the 2007 Yukon. By now, youd think that they would understand that its unacceptable to have panels and wipers falling off the the truck... to the tune of several hundreds of dollars of unexpected expenses! Interior packaging is just OK... difficult to get kids in and out of the vehicle, even a vehilce of this size.

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  I hate this SUV! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By hsand54 - December 7 - 11:09 am

  In the less than a year that we have had our Acadia it has been in the shop 4-5 times! Its obvious that it was very poorly built. The drivers seat broke the 1st week, the wipers broke mid rain storm, the service airbag light, engine light, and oil light have all been on and had to be serviced. And there was a recall that had to be fixed! After all of this I finally get my vehicle back and hit a deer, which did $5500 worth of damage to the front end yet the air bag never went off and on-star never came on! The way it shifts is awful, the noise & vibrations when the windows are down is horrible and I am so sick of this vehicle. Now my tire pressure light is on- it is always something!