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:

• 

  GMC Savanna - A nice ride - 2003 GMC Savana
  By Northern Driver - August 24 - 2:00 am

  My Savanna is a conversion that looks and performs up to expectations and turns heads. I would not have purchased one of these vans based on standard features/factory trim. The dashboard and interiors are too flat and plasticky and the bumpers/mirrors are black plastic. Both of these detractions were remedied by the conversion - wood dash trim and painted bumpers/mirrors. The ride is very stable and makes the van much more akin to daily driving. My old Astro AWD had a best of 20 mpg, while the Savanna gets 18-19 mpg top end. The braking is very good and the engine performance is excellent.

• 

  It works - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Darryl Clapp - August 23 - 9:00 pm

  I have bought GMC or Chevy my entire life excpet for 2 Fords I bought that were cheaply made, broke down with either engine or A/C problems. The Fords were cheaper with certain truck models but with the truck workmanship and problems with dealers fixing warranted items. I stayed or went back to GMC. The 2500 H/D 4WD Crew Cab I bought is the best GMC or Chevy had to offer. They are over priced but working with the right dealer you might find one you can live with.Some of the Dodges looked nice, but the way they are priced and the overall sales depts over the country are not customer friendly, nor will they work with you on the price.Its thier price or you walk out. Forgien trucks or just that .

• 

  BEST TRUCK NEEDS MORE WORK - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By MIKE ASSAD - August 23 - 2:00 am

  NEEDS MORE THEN THERE IS FOR THE PRICE ARE TRUCKS FOR THE SAME PRICE AND MAYBE A LITTLE LESS OR A LITTLE MORE LIKE THE NAVIGATOR AND THE EXTERIOR IS REALLY UNBEATABLE IN THAT THING . AND THE DENALI BARELY HAS THE SAME OR ANY OF THE FEATURES IT HAS.WHICH IS WHY I AM UPSET.

• 

  Annoying road noise - 2010 GMC Sierra 1500
  By BettyH - August 20 - 2:43 pm

  This car has horrible road noise, extremely annoying. It is a constant peeve. Dont buy this car until its fixed

• 

  Bad Gas - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By T.A.Bendon - August 20 - 2:00 am

  very bad gas milage 14to 15mpg on the highway had a 2001 same motor 18t0 19mpg on the highway

• 

  Overall, a good thing - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By meqa - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I love the look (inside & out) of my 2003 Envoy. The gas mileage is alright. However, coming from a 2000 Expedition, I miss the room. We only have two kids so the room is adequate, but I miss the width of the Expedition. But I do have a lot of trunk space now. I get a lot of compliments on the look of my Envoy. I also love driving with the sunroof open, the Bose stereo on and the woodgrain look accents and the leather interior. It is indeed a fine looking vehicle. I have read reviews about the ride being like that of a truck, but I think the ride is pretty smooth. Overall, I think the Envoy is a good thing!

• 

  Not happy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By GMaxson - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Weve had nothing but problems with the driver 1 and 2 mirror settings working correctly. It has been in at least 6 times for this and has never been fixed. We also get a clunking noise from the rear differential that they can not diagnose. This vehicle is about 20 months old and has been into the shop at least 10 times.

• 

  2000 GMC Jimmy SLE - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Ed753 - August 17 - 2:00 am

  No problems with the vehicle except for a warped oil pan, that seeped oil, after 3 attempts the delaer replaced the oil pan, and problem was gone. Keyless entry only has 20 feet range tops, my GMC pickup has range of about 150 feet.

• 

  Kens critique - 1992 GMC Sonoma
  By ken jennings - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought from friend with 166,000 miles on it. Has been in major front end collision, but well restored. Runs great, no rattles, clanks, etc. Everything except the cruise works. Easy to work on. Ive helped him several times on things before I bought it.

• 

  My 2003 Denali - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By KJC - August 8 - 5:50 pm

  Fun vehicle. Eats gas but is great for the kids to watch DVDs, and I hook up the Xbox sometimes. Easy turning radius. Headlight went out at 55k. Jack is terrible. Overall a good buy but at $52k a bit pricey. Terrible keyless system. Mine has died at least a dozen times.