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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  not what i exspected fora new truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By jeff hall - November 7 - 6:46 pm

  Tail lights were replaced after filling with condensation, blinkers get a mind of there own, "when I turn the blinker on the light flashes on dash but no clicking sound from the relay no the blinker even works on the outside. Last night partially the lights on the dash "half" of them when off and on twice and came back on. As I was driving in a snow storm I noticed something flashing from the front of the truck. Havent found what it might be because when it stopped the truck and did a walk around it to see if all the lights were working they were and got back into the truck and when I got home turning into my drive there was the flash again. If its happening when I take it in then what?

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  Adriannes Jimmy - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Adrianne - November 2 - 4:46 pm

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. I have replaced the radiator, the fuel pump, wheel bearings (twice), control arm bushings. Both visors have fallen apart, rear defrost doesnt work, ABS light wont go off. I have put about $3500 worth of work in the 3 years I have had this vehicle. I would not recommend it to anyone.

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  BOY DO I REGRET BUYING MY TRCUK - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By TAMMY ADAMS - October 3 - 11:06 am

  I bought my canyon July of 2006,in February of 2007 engine light came on and the truck powered down.Took it to local dealership,they cleaned it up (said there was dirt on the sensors) and sent me on my way.a couple of days later same thing.This has gone on for several months.Weve changed computers,brake lines, you name it.Still it does not work.This time theyve had it for three weeks still not fixed. Gm rep wont call me..Im really disappointed with my purchase..i regret it everyday...

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  GMC Forgot Drivers Side Ergonomics - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Stu - September 10 - 8:13 am

  Although the engine has spunk, the 4x4 feature is only suitable for driving straight. While executing even wide turns in 4x4, the entire vehicle shakes and makes squeeking and grunting noises. Traction on any wet or winter surface without 4x4 is non existant without a load in the long bed. The legal heavy load capacity is limited to just a few hundred pounds above the vehicles own weight. Inside the cab the drivers side is very narrow, forcing you to place your left elbow against the solid door. This results in constant elbow bruising. I must always wear a thick left elbow pad to prevent pain and bruise. The seat is also too narrow, binding the outer right thigh. At 58", Im dissapointed.

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  GMC Trucks are Junks! - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mark Dandeneau - September 10 - 12:26 am

  I was a die hard GM fan until I bought this 2006 truck. Ive talked to other owners of GMC and Chevy trucks and if they had it over again then would have never bought these trucks, in fact we all want to unload them because of the clunking noise and vibration when the transmission shifts. Also these trucks have problems with wheel bearing hubs and steering problems as well as u-joint going. The next vehicle I get will be a Toyota

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  GM has lowered its standards! - 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By RPS Inc. - August 17 - 8:43 am

  This truck has wasted tons of my time and hard earned money. It seems the only things that have not failed yet are the engine/tranny. I also own a 2002 of the same model that I find to be 100X better quality. These are just a fraction of my complaints/problems I have dealt with on my 2007 sierra 2500hd (these issues surfaces with under 40k on unit)>>Exhaust failure, idler/pitman arm failure, hvac problems, bad factory rim, leaking oil/tranny cooler lines, cruise control works when it wants to, thin flimsy body panels, 4wd disengagement issues, tailgate handle failure, bad airbag wiring harness, door hinge failure......I have always considered GM the best that the USA can offer..Not anymore!

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  VERY VERY Disappointed - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Never-again GMC - July 13 - 3:00 am

  Where do I begin with this nightmare. I purchased a Terrain on 26 Feb 2010, and not even 200 miles later (153 to be exact), I was driving home from work and the Terrain started to slow down. The gears seemed "stuck" or having problems changing. I pulled over on the interstate because I was slowing down and UNABLE to accelerate. I drove into a shopping center and tried to reverse into a parking stall, and low and behold the damn thing would NOT REVERSE. It was stuck, only neutral would make it go forward. WOW. I had to tow my 6 day old "brand new" 2010 Terrain back to the dealership. Just my advice, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR OR AFTER TO BUY A TERRAIN. There are "kinks" that they need to fix first.

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  Bad vibes in regular cab 8 box - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By reb - July 4 - 9:33 pm

  The gas consumption is terrible. 14 mph not driving over 55. The tire monitoring system we can do without it. The split seats are uncomfortable, what was wrong with the bench seat. With the new design there is no room behind the seat for any items. The jack cannot be replaced to its position behind the passenger seat without being a contortionist. The jack is totally inadequate I used it once and was fearful the truck would fall. I found a scissor jack at a thrift to replace the factory jack. The controls for the ac are way to exotic. Dont need auto head lights, I know when it dark, the truck and controls are just too complicated. I am one sorry dude for buying this. I want my 94 GMC back

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  Wet Distributor Cap - No Ignition - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By wfm - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Broke down in March 2003 with this 2000 GMC 1500 6 cyl pickup at 73000 km and had to be towed. The distributor cap acquires moisture buildup and kills the spark. I am the second owner so this may have happened before. The towtruck operator and other owners in this area of Eastern Canada said this is a common problem with the newer Chev and GMC pickups in our Canadian wet but cold and damp weather. My previous 1988 Chev went for 15 yrs without this problem. What did they change?

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  Absolute Horror! - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By cmmbowl300 - April 12 - 1:12 pm

  My Jimmy has almost 180,000 miles on it ,but I have replaced just about everything on it, and in fact it is in the shop right now again. I have a new engine at 100,000 miles and new transmission at 80,000, new fuel lines, brakes, wheel bearing, fuel pump, starter, waterpump, front axles, and that not all. I dont have enough words to state what all I have done to this. Fun to drive, I guess that is my best feature on it. Waiting to find out what this next thing is going to cost me as the ABS light is on and I dont think I can take it much longer. Would never ever in my life buy another GM product!