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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  Great Truck - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By blondeinanissan - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I love my Sonoma! I would say that the ONLY thing wrong with it is that it isnt the most comfortable truck to be in on long trips. But the power in the 4.3 is amazing! Ive only got 95,000 miles on mine and Ive never had any problems with it whatsoever. I highly recommend the Sonoma if youre thinking about buying a little truck, it looks little, but its got the power of a full-size.

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  2003 Envoy - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By gdanekas - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Fuel economy is nothing like the 3800 V- 6 in other GM automobiles. Not sure why mileage is so poor when it is stated V- 8 power with V-6 economy.

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  GOOD SUV, BUT LACKS FINE TUNNING - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By EPONCE - April 6 - 10:00 am

  SERIOUSLY LACKS POWER ON ENTRANCE TO FREEWAYS. VERY CHOPPY RIDE FOR A 50,000 $ SUV. SUSPENSION LACKS STABILITY. SOME OF THE INTERIOR DASH PARTS FEEL LIKE CHEAP PLASTIC AND WILL PROBABLY BREAK OFF EASILY. LOOKS TO MUCH LIKE ITS COUNTERPARTS THE TAHOE & THE SUBERBAN.

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  Love the size, but... - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Lynn Taylor - April 4 - 5:53 am

  I like my Acadia AWD, but it does have some drawbacks. The gas mileage is no where near what it should be. I bought the vehicle thinking that the gas mileage was a bit better than my previous SUV 4wd, but it isnt. The continuous shifting on the CVT transmission eats gas. Another problem is the vehicle is extremely difficult to backup. There are many blind spots in this vehicle that should be looked at. If a small car comes up behind you and you can only see the roof, there is a definite problem. There are also blind spots where the front seats and door jams meet causing a big blind spot when looking out the passenger side window. I do like the size and comfort of the vehicle.

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  Dependable - 1993 GMC Sonoma
  By Qzardesigner - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought the truck new in 1993 and it has proved reliable ever since. I now have 167,000 miles on it. This truck has the 4.3 engine. I wish GM could learn how to make a good set of front brakes because every GM car I have owned this one included is hard on the front brakes. The heater core had to be replaced in 2002. Serpentine belt pulley replaced in 2000. The major annoyance is the paint, as it continues to flake off. According to GM the primer is bad and wont allow the paint to adhere. Overall, though, this truck has been a good runner and very dependable.

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  Only thing I use - 1992 GMC Vandura
  By Lotaso - April 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is the workhorse of the family, weve been up and down the east coast several times in this car, it is especially great at keeping fighting children away from each other, never had the bane of having to deal with accidents in this car so I wouldnt be able to tell how well it would do their but those in the car tend to joke about how we dwarf the other cars, very comfortable despite problems with seats getting stuck in awkward positions, also the power windows motors burned out, not sure if those come standard or not.

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  1993 GMC Yukon SLE - 1993 GMC Yukon
  By batt - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Constant radiator problems. Front suspension problems at 80,000 miles. Spare tire mounted inside vehicle takes too much space. Outside r view mirrors are lousy. WS wiper motor failure @ 75000. Poor visibility when turning because of width of roof support. Difficult for many to climb into vehicle because of vehicle height. Very poor mileage.

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  Nice Truck, poor service dept. - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Jon111 - March 29 - 2:00 am

  The truck is very comfortable and has loads of room with the third row seats removed. I get plenty of compliments on the styling. The interior has bit too much hard plastic, although it does not scratch easily. My Civic interior looks and feels better. Great power seats. OnStar works like they advertise on lock outs. Service starts friendly until you point out that the problem wasnt fixed. Why do they require that you yell first before they (Indio, CA GMC/Buik/Pontiac) take any action. The service mangager was rude but the mechanic took the time to find a rattle and correct it.

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  LOVE it or LEAVE it - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By kdb - March 28 - 2:00 am

  For years Ive lusted over the Suburban. However, I thought the new style (2000) was less TRUCK and more Sport Utility. So I bought my 1998. I really use this vehicle and drive it hard. With NUMEROUS cross counrty trips,it is truly an ideal vehicle. I am now getting into what I term as its "MID LIFE CRISES" and have had to spend some serious money to keep it in the running order I demand. If I didnt love the drive and look of this truck I would have sold it. But as it is I plan on passing 200k before that will happen.

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  Not bad! - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Andrew_jad - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Its my first SUV and overall, I like it. GM could make few improvements with better quality interior components such as seats and plastic all over. A better and tightly-fit exterior parts (uneven edges and wide gaps) would make it nicer. Experienced rattling/roving noise after using 2/4WD switch. Dealer couldnt figure out.. happens on and off..