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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  1995 Safari SLT - 1995 GMC Safari
  By kayaker - February 23 - 2:00 am

  This van is my second, I owned a Astro before, its a great driver on long trips and has plenty of towing power for my older Apache trailer. All wheel drive is a real life saver as I do get off the pavement once in awhile and is great on winter roads.

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  Great Rig but boring - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By bag o ice - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Truck does everything that I want but is just a little boring on the outside and inside. I am glad to see that they are redesigning but I just had to get this one.

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  Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin - 1995 GMC Yukon
  By Yukon SS - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Over all this has been the best truck i have ever owned. It has major potential to be anything that you want it to be. Great porformance and great towing. Very easy to see and handles like a car. I cant resist to upgrade and soup up the engine. Overall it is a truck with major potential. My yukon has 165,000 miles on it and still no problems. Sounds great with 40 series flowmasters.

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  My opinion - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By ewj - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Have had some problems with transmission which would not shift out properly due to a faulty valve also have problems with fuel pump and electrical system.

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  Grandpas Van - 1999 GMC Safari
  By Pauppo - February 19 - 2:00 am

  A very reliable and useful vehicle. Lots of power and interior room with affordable fuel economy. Both hardware and paint seem to be holding up well.

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  Faster Than it Looks - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By 87horizon - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have the 4.3 V-6 it pulls strong and has been trouble-free, although its starting to develop a leak in the power steering pump at 50,000 miles. The ball-joints had to be replaced at 45,000 miles a part that I feel shouldt be replaced at low mileage. Overall, though, this has been a great little pick-up. GM has always built a good pick-up and this one has been no exception.

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  Very nice, but... - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By riverguy - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Last vehicle was a 96 Suburban. Use it to tow a boat. Nice size and handling. Excellent stereo, great climate control in hot weather, rides nice but front seats lack support in our opinion and steering is too light, no road feel. Muffler had to be replaced when heat shield separated. Averaging 13.6 mpg overall.

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  nice veh.but the gas mileage - 2000 GMC Safari
  By throgo - February 15 - 2:00 am

  mileage will kill you if you live in the country as i do.just a trip to publix cost you.dont know if the rest are as bad but,14 city and 18 hwy stinks.as the pontiac dealers were telling me they were easily getting 21 hwy.live and learn.im going to hyundai to check out the santa fe

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  2002 Denali - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By 2friscofolks - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Very nice truck.... went from a BMW X5 4.4i because I needed more room and have no regrets so far. Solid looks, style, performance and an exceptionally quiet and refined ride.

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  2500HD Duramax - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Tim - February 11 - 5:03 am

  The GMC HD Duramax is by far the best diesels you can buy on the market. I recently compared the duramax to other cummins and powerstroke diesels and it out performs them from towing to payload to the comfortablility of the ride. I recently compared the duramax 2500HD to the Ford f-450 and I compared everything and the thing that stood out to me was that the GMC maxed out at 16000 pounds and the Ford pulled only 14000 and the ford was twice its size and still the duramax was the best. So weather you are a ford, GMC, or Dodge guy duramax is the diesel to buy.