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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  Miles per gallon - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By patty - July 12 - 8:50 am

  My Sonoma never even got 19 on a good day. It only gets 17 on the highway. I drive 50 miles round trip highway miles to work every day. I have had it for 6 months and I have to sell it because of the poor mpg.

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  Safe! - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By nonya - July 11 - 2:26 pm

  Had this vehicle for two years until a couple of weeks ago. I was on a small gravel road and I rolled it. I escaped with nothing more than a few scratches. The vehicle retained its shape even after rolling multiple times. The strength and qaulity of this vehicle probably saved my life. Very save SUV. More than makes up for the mediocre gas mileage.

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  great performance - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By hobackj - July 11 - 8:36 am

  I just recently purchased a 2002 GMC 2500hd Duramax diesel. It is a very dependable truck. It will pull any trailer that I need it to pull and if it doesn’t, a power chip can always be added for increase in horsepower and torque. This year and newer comes with the either a 6-speed or the automatic Allison transmission, both are great for pulling or just for driving, depending on what the owner mainly does with it. Without a chip this truck can get up to 18mph which is pretty good for a ¾ ton truck. Along with performing good this truck is also roomy with either the extended cab 4 door or the full 4 door versions. Another good thing about a diesel is that if they are taken care of they can ru

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  A good SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By jbmiller - July 7 - 3:00 pm

  I was leery of the I6 but it performs well at 275 hp. Gas miles are good for a vehicle of this size. If youve never had a information center option-get it, its great. Controls mirrors, seats, lights, headlights, tilt down rear view mirror, etc. Mine has leather but its not necessary. All in all the only problem I had was a bad temp sender for the driver/pass ac control. They fixed for no charge. Ive had a good experience with this vehicle.

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  Built like a tank...sorta - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Ian - July 7 - 12:30 pm

  It was a Nevada Edition. I picked this over a Ram & 150 because of the comfy seating and nice black dash and overall better exterior design. Pros: solid ride, Auto 4*4, tons of room, nice rims Cons: At 10K a bearing dropped and ruined the engine and was covered by warranty, little noises everywhere inside, windows not closing all the way and creating road noise. The Spec. Edition Stickers kept on falling off numerous times. Too big for city parking and such, (should have got a mid size.) Crappy speakers blow & distort. Dont think it will be good for the long run so ill give it up for a Dakota i think. Great lease truck though.

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  Greatest First Car - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Jrod08 - July 7 - 11:31 am

  I have had this vehicle over a year now. It has really grown on me. I originally wanted a 1998 or newer Blazer, but I got my Jimmy instead. The 4.3 liter engine is outstanding. Every time someone sees my SUV they say that the engine in it is really good. GM designed the V6 really well. I get 20 miles per gallon city driving and around 23 highway. I am highly satisfied with that. Ive always wanted the interior that the 1998 and up Jimmies have, but it is satisfactory. Never had any major mechanical or electrical problem. I have only replaced the front ball joints on the suspension arms and replaced the ignition wires in the steering column.

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  Is it just me? - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By greg rosengren - July 4 - 2:55 pm

  Love the car/truck, nicest car Ive ever owned. At 58,000 miles Ive had to replace both the transmission and the motor. I didnt bother to get the extended warranty because of my false belief that I was buying a quality product that would last. GM has graciously picked up half the transmission cost ($1600) and all but $1650 of the new motor job. I have put 4000 dollars in repair costs into this car in the last 2 months. Not at all happy about this. Love the vehicle..just bummed out about the problems...will probably go foreign next time..Benz or BMW

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  lemon - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By darlene - July 4 - 10:00 am

  We have a 2003 gmc thats been a nightmare.the horn keeps blowing fuses,wont start in park,no reverse fuel light doesnt work plus the gas gage stuck on and the thin plastic bottom part of the bumper crack. Trying to get the dealer and gm to take this truck back hasnt been fun. Anyone looking to buy a new truck be careful,when you pay 45000.00 for a new truck you dont expect this.

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  2006 Envoy Problems - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By LArnold - July 3 - 10:17 am

  I purchased my 2006 Envoy in April, 2006. Unfortunately, I have had numerous problems to have only had this vehicle right at two years. In fact, it is at the dealership today because all the controls on the drivers side door do not work. They have to replace some switch that is costing me another $350. The gas gauge sensor messed up, and I could never tell how much gas was in my car. After much controversy, they replaced the sensor without charge. It was going to cost me $2000. Then a belt was replaced, that led to the water pump having to be replaced. It has been a lot to replace, only having my new car for 2 years, and a lot of money. I will never buy a GMC again.

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  Love it (for the most part) - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Philip - July 1 - 8:39 pm

  Excellent ride and plenty of room. Have all electronic features except back-up camera, and find them all useful. Major complaint is the number of bugs that had to be worked out on the 2007 model. Average mpg is around 20 with significant highway driving. Cannot drive above 40 with rear windows down - vibrations feel like car is going to shake apart. Major flaw in otherwise great sound system is that it has only a single-CD/DVD player