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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  Relatively average - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By gatorguy - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I have found the truck to be simply that-nothing special

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  Best truck yet - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By WJ - October 16 - 12:13 am

  I dont need a lot of whistles and bells in a truck. What I need is reliability and function, fuel economy was a surprise (19.7 average) city/highway!! Its a great solid reliable truck, the best Ive owned. Before this my Toyota Tundra was tops, and its a great truck, just not a solid as my GMC.

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  Love/ Hate - 1997 GMC Safari
  By Ed Slaney - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We have a love /hate relationship with this vehicle. It is great to drive,easy for shopping etc. Comfortable on long trips. We have replaced 3 window motors,1 seat motor,an alternator,a very expensive fuel pump,a wiper circuit board and other various items some under warrenty some not. Before the fuel pump went I complained to GMC and they offered me an 8 hundre $ cert. towards a new GMC product good for 1 yr. The pump went shortley after and the fix wiped out the cert. Yesterday the blower moter switch would only work on high.

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  2002 gmc 1500 4x2 sle - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By will160 - October 13 - 7:03 pm

  come on GM this is 2002!dated interiors,cheap feeling parts,ergonomically is only o.k.,my last 5 trucks were fords,it was time for a change,giving gmc another chance,but 20 yrs.later i still feel some reslembence to long ago!i need to sell my 97 ford f150 lariat asap! so i can stop comparing the gmc 1500 sle to it. new f-150 for 2004?,cant wait!

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  Intellink made me hate this car. - 2016 GMC Acadia
  By Michele Button - October 12 - 5:59 am

  Selling this car after only six months. Intellink is slow, gets stuck, lacks information and just plain doesnt work. Forget NAV, itll take you to random places. Pandora and Stitcher are slow to load and drop out of the blue at some point 100% of the time. Second row Captains chairs are comfy but waste a huge amount of space when packing the car.

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  1996 GMC Jimmy SLS - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By Willow Valley - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Jimmy used.The only thing that went wrong with it was the VCM Module,it was giving me false readings like service engine soon lite would come on.I bought it with 84000 miles and paid 8999.this vehicle is in mint condition.

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  Utility with Flair - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By TheCarGonzo - October 12 - 2:00 am

  A nice solid truck, no real problems since purchase (although it has very low miles). Interior is simple and inexpensive looking but everything is easy to use. ZQ-8 suspension keeps the vehicle well-controlled for a pick-up. 3/4 V-8 4.3L V-6 is no smoothness champ, but it does get the job done.

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  Love my ENVOY. - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Barbara Sarco - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I have 24,000 miles on my Envoy. On long trips its a dream (speaking from experience with toy. 4 runner that shook my liver out) Comfortable ride. Great exterior looks.

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  GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD 6.6L - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By James Nichols - October 4 - 5:43 pm

  First off, after researching diesel trucks for over a year, it was clear that the Duramax/Allison power train was the "gold standard". I recently installed a Banks air intake, programmer, and exhaust system ($2500) and the performance is startling. Stock, average fuel economy was 16.2 (70 mph+ freeway); I hope the Banks package increases that up to 2 mpg. I stopped to watch a local, weeknight rodeo event in Paso Robles, CA and there were eventually 40+ trucks with 20-30 trailers, all diesels: 1 Chev, 3 Fords, the rest GMCs.

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  Reliable family truckster w lots of nickel & dimes - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By JJ Bookman - October 3 - 12:26 pm

  Engine and tranny are very reliable but the exterior trim and interior bits require a lot of fixing, typical GM. Body is still holding up well, rear deck lip is getting rusty but still looks good for a 10 year-old car. We drive the hell out of it and it has not let us down yet. Lots of DIY fixing if you are a handy man or shade-tree mechanic. Part are abundant and cheap, something else broke? ebay here I come!