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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  Acadia Lives in Repair Shop - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By rlitton - March 22 - 3:16 pm

  Loved the car when we bought it. Good features overall but not as good as the Caddy I traded. Then the nightmare begins. the car has been in the shop for a total of 14 days on 3 occasions and is currently still there. A few problems that are not minor. 1. transmission leak, dealer did not have parts to repair and had to order. Mechanic broke the spindle nut putting it back together, and dealer did not have the part took days to get. 2. leaking rear shock and bad spring bushing, you guessed it, dealer did not have parts. 3. rear wheels out of alignment from factory wore tires to cord before discovered. shop says came from factory out of alignment. really frustrated with the vehicle. might have a lemon on my hands. One positive is the dealer has been very good to work with so far. going to contact GMC for a meeting with their rep.

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  Most horrible car ever owned - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Esfandiar - January 28 - 2:05 pm

  I purchased this car to commute to work everyday and not for heavy duty use. This car has been driven only 17000 Miles and transmission started losing oil. The power steering makes noise and the car runs rough on turns. This is my second GMC car and the last one. I hate cheap workmanship, crappy design and horrible engineering. How can a well maintained car (by dealer every 3000 miles) has to have transmission problem after only 17000 miles? Please save yourself a lot time/money and buy a decent car and I urge GMS to send their designers to Honda or Toyota for through training.

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  Nothing But Headaches - 2001 GMC Safari
  By Steve - January 22 - 6:08 pm

  Should I start with the defective fuel pump that left me stranded in the Interstate or the power window motors that died after 6 months. Dealer took forever to repair. I also had a bad drive shaft that clunked. No wonder they discontinued it

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  Now Im stuck - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Brent - December 13 - 11:19 am

  I would love to trade this thing in but, the dealer just laughs and points at an endless line of used Envoys that theyre also stuck with. Now I know why they were giving these away. My motorcycle has less wind noise, and there is always some sort of rattle. There has been a clanking sound, like somethings loose under it ever since we got it and even with the numerous trips to the dealer for all the other problems they never found it. And now that its out of warranty every time you start it the reduced power light comes on and runs rough until you shut it off for a few minutes then start it again. I advise against buying an Envoy, but if you still want one I have one for sale real cheap.

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  PEE-UUUU - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By Ray - November 16 - 9:48 am

  Bought with 74k on it. 1st and last GMC. Poor gas mileage. AC leaks out in a week and now bad heater core that requires total removal of dash and disconnect AC lines under hood just to remove heater core. Dealer wants $1,100 to replace. Lost my shirt on this truck

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  Major Problems - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Stauch - November 14 - 7:26 pm

  This is probably the worst vehicle I have ever purchased. I traded in a 2001 Dakota to try and improve on the amount of money I spend weekly for gas. I do quite a bit of driving due to my work, plus I have to be able to carry material with me out to distant job sites. My first 3 months the truck was in the shop 7 times. I called the GM hotline to no avail. All of the problems had stemmed from when the truck was built. Windsheild wiper transmission mounts welded in wrong place, causing wipers to dig through plastic, gouge windshield, and finally stripping, all during a major storm, which is what my job is all about. Defective wiring, fried CPU. Dead on the side of the road again

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  Less for More - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Mike - November 12 - 8:48 pm

  Good Looking SUV. Poor mileage, poor fit and finish. Seat belt not adjustable, high tension. Noisy ride due to air leaks. Transmission shifts from 2WD or AWD into 4WD on its own. Seats are not as comfortable as in my 2003 Envoy.

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  Last GM product Ill ever purchase - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By Jim F - October 15 - 2:56 pm

  Worst vehicle I ever purchased, and the last GM product Ill ever purchase. Rear bearings went after 3000 miles. Rear calipers and parking brakes went at 8000 miles. Had on again off again problems with the ABS braking system, the calipers, and the the rotors for the first first 5 years. Replaced the brakes pads 5 times, the rotor twice and the calipers twice all in 40,000 miles. Idler arms, tie rods, oil cooler lines and steering box all need to be replaced lines in the 6th and 7th years of ownership. $4000 in repairs since the 36,000 mile warranty ended and the truck only has 46,000 miles on it. Truck has never been abused and is driven by my 81 year old father.

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  2007 GMC Yukon XL - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By donewithgms - October 8 - 4:26 pm

  This is a nice looking SUV, but that is one of the only good things i can say. Bought mine brand new, and have numerous ongoing problems. Excessive oil consumption, throttle body problems, and battery issues. The dealers and GM dont know how to fix many of the issues. GM customer support is useless unless the truck is still under warranty. They wont even help the dealer solve the problem. This is not the SUV to buy for reliability or long term.

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  Lemon in Disguise - 2001 GMC Safari
  By Vince - August 27 - 8:38 am

  On the outside, the Safari/Astro appear to be nice vehicles. I had the following problems despite having the vehicle serviced regularly at my dealer: Rear heater broke. Replaced Dutch Door weatherstripping & carpet because of leaks/mold. Replaced power lock actuators. Faulty AC vacuum diaphram. Replaced rear AC, rear heater & rear wiper switches because they were no longer backlit. Mass air flow sensor. Transmission died at 60K in the middle of a US highway. Serpentine belt. GM did the right thing by discontinuing the Astro/Safari because they were lemons in disguise.