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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  Mushy seat - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Bill Williams - September 22 - 5:20 pm

  Overall its a really good truck. The drivers seat is mushy and lacks support, both the bottom and back of seat. The fabric on the seats is poor quality and is pilling on all seating surfaces. It drives good, has adequate power, and is really quiet. I frequently pull a trailer and it has good towing ability.

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  so far so good rides smooth handles well - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By qwest - September 21 - 10:00 am

  so far so good handles well on highway puts the passengers to sleep on long trips great bose system comfortable seats waiting to see some snow to try it out got stuck last year

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  Happy Sonoma owner - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By KENNE-BILL - September 20 - 10:36 pm

  Ive owned my 99 Sonoma for about a month now and am very happy with it. I bought it used with 69,000 miles on it, body is solid and rust free and the original white paint still looks decent. As far as I can tell everything still works on the truck except for a bad AC compressor that I have already replaced. Its a regular cab, 2.2l with a 5 speed trans, Im happy with the acceleration. I calculated 26 mpg on my first tank of gas which is why I stepped up to a 4 cylinder truck, my old 92 Sonoma with a 4.3/auto was getting only about 17.5 mpg.

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  95 Sonoma Ext Cab - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Bob - September 19 - 9:42 pm

  I have owned this truck for the last 7 years. Overall very reliable. Over 200,000 miles on it, have changed the starter and the battery once. Replaced the exhaust sytem (cat converter rattles a bit). Transmisson started shifting rough into second. I changed fluid and filter and after a little while, it seems to shift smoother. biggest complaint rusted out above rear wheels and in corners of the extended cab. It had to rust from the inside out, because by the time i noticed it panels were rusted through. I noticed wherever GM puts those rubber plugs that is where the truck rusted.

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  Didnt Like The Bowtie - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Ken - September 16 - 9:33 pm

  As a dyed in the wool "Bowtie" guy, it was tough to buy another type of vehicle. However, I cant stand the front end on the Chevy, so I went with the GMC. After 3K miles, Ive come to enjoy the truck quite a bit, but would like to see a few mods. Most are listed below, but I ran outta room for one - when negotiating a slight turn at fwy. speeds, any moderate imperfection in the road surface will cause momentary instability. This seems to be in the rack & pinion equipped models only, as my 02 Suburban with conventional steering seems significantly smoother over the same road surface. Overall though, Im really happy with the truck.

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  Love It! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Carol - September 13 - 8:10 pm

  Picked up our Acadia in February and used it on several long distant trips getting between 22-26 mpg on the highway. My daughter and I (plus 2 young granddaughters) use it for our weekly grocery shopping - doesnt hold as much as her Tahoe but we enjoy the Acadias large individual comfort zones. We love XM radio, climate control keeps all areas of the vehicle very comfortable

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  Wouldnt buy again - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By The Jimmy - September 13 - 4:33 pm

  I have had my Jimmy for about 4 years now and I have had some basic problems check engine lights on and no one can figure out why, blew a head gas get. I have been good to it always get oil changed on time. It feels like the car is made of plastic and it makes terrible noises when you drive. I guess all in all it been OK to me. Also terrible gas mileage I dont even want to check and see what it is now with gas $4

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  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By David - September 13 - 1:26 pm

  Cant say enought about this truck. I moved up from a 4cyl Toyota because I needed to be able to tow a ski boat. With a full bed of coolers and ski supplies and 6 passengers plus the boat, I cant even tell theres a boat back there. I drive 60 highway miles a day to work and have yet to find anything that rides as smooth. I had an issue with a low pressure sensor on the A/C but that was under warranty and fixed several years ago. Other than 3 sets of tires and a bunch of oil and filter changes I have had no reason to work on the truck Its fun to drive and has never let me down. Even in the Georgia heat the A/C will freeze you out.

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  Family Room on Wheels - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Jeff - September 11 - 8:14 pm

  We needed a larger vehicle as our family is getting bigger, and sold a Honda Civic for this family room on wheels. It fits everything, from baby seats, a dog, tons of luggage, coolers, and gets you from A to B comfortably. We knew gas would be more expensive coming from a 32 mpg Civic, but the size and comfort level are well worth the sacrifice. The funny thing is that people dont realize that these are like minivans on the inside, and can accomodate many passengers with the utmost comfort. The truck has taken up a bit more space in the garage than expected, but well get by. This will be in our family for a long time, and I would suggest this vehicle to anyone consaidering a minivan.

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  Sport Car In Disguise - 1992 GMC Typhoon
  By W1ck3d - September 10 - 10:24 pm

  The Typhoon is fun to drive and deceptively fast. It can run head to head with a same-year Vette and this thing is definitely not a fiberglass sports car. It launches like a rocket and sticks to the road like glue. It may not be the fastest production SUV anymore, but thats OK when you take into account that it took 15-16 years for the rest of the automotive world to catch up. If you have the opportunity to buy or even drive one, dont pass it up. They are becoming increasingly rare and a definite collectible. I will leave you with this: I was looking for a turbo import, LS1 Trans-Am/Camaro, C4/C5 Vette, and I adamantly refused to buy a truck/SUV and now I couldnt be happier.