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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  My Sonoma - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By Mark Maloney - August 1 - 10:39 am

  It has been an excellent truck for me and the wife. it has proven to be dependable and reliable. It is a good driving truck, nice ride.

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  Lemon - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By grajcar42 - July 30 - 4:53 pm

  Purchased mt 2010 terrain on June 11. It was a pleasure to drive. Coming home from vacation on July 3, we were in stop/go traffic on I-95. At a traffic light the car refused to go forward. After pushing the accelerator in moved very slowly and then would pick up speed. We made it home. The car had 1600 miles on it. Dealer cleaned solenoids and car worked fine. July 23 driving on the pa turnpike after stop/go traffic it did the same thing. It took onstar 3 hours to get us towed and a rental. They did the same repair and it worked fine. Coming home on the 28th in stop/go traffic it did it again. The dealer has the car. As of now I dont think I will feel safe driving it again!

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  06- GMC Canyon Crew Cab - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By KK - July 29 - 9:25 am

  I had bought my Canyon just 5yrs. ago and outside of regular maint. i had to have the valves redone at 30,000 miles under warranty.. After all these years of driving this truck it still gets great gas millage and and has not left me stranded. Like the I-5 engine with MP3 player. And it looks good as GM has always had nice design. I will be getting the new model canyon..

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  The Vans a Rockin - 1994 GMC Safari
  By Still Going - July 26 - 10:31 pm

  Very sound mechanically and a work- horse when loaded. My kids love the room inside, its like having a mini motor home on vacations, very roomy. Had to replace fuel pump, alt, wiper motto, actually all these were very reasonable as the 94 has less expensive parts then the newer models. One thing I appreciate is the vehicle does not leak a drop of anything, were heading into 20 year territory and the vehicle is very mechanically sound. We have a fleet of Ford Focuses at work and every one of them leak oil. So this is an excellent acquisition, even though its look is a bit dated the heart and soul is still there. I recommend not as a commuter as the gas mileage is to be expected for a 4.3.

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  80,000 miles guaranteed tranny swap - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By dizzle - July 25 - 11:48 am

  My 2001 GMC Jimmy SLE is for the most part a reliable vehicle. Definitely fun in the snow! Heavy 4wd vehicles are though right. Im loyal to this SUV though the worries tell me never to buy another and possibly never another GMC. From a rebuilt transmission, gasket replacement, bearings, and water leaks plus alignments? How should i feel?

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  Highway MPG rating "FALSE" - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By M.A.Berry - July 24 - 5:32 pm

  The highway MPG is very much overstated. Im getting maybe 24-26 mpg driving the posted speed limits on the highways. In town 21-22. Driving the 4 cyl, automatic trans. So far, no mechanical problems.

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  Been a good vehicle - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Mitch - July 22 - 4:04 pm

  We traded a big Ford van for our Jimmy and it took us a while to be satisfied, but finally decided we had done a good thing. This Jimmy has given us good service with probably just a little over average repairs. We have put probably 60,000 miles on our Jimmy and am now considering getting another vehicle. Since we can no longer buy a Studebaker, I dont really know what we may get. Everything is so expensive today especially for old folks who are on a broken income.

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  I love this truck - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Roxy-Ann - July 15 - 1:32 am

  This truck in my opinion is wonderful, my grandfather taught me to drive stick shift in this truck and havent had to replace the clutch yet then I was driving one day and cleaned out a ditch with it at 80 miles per hour and let me tell you I drove that truck right out of the ditch. Now mind you this truck has not been modified or anything just a regular old work truck but the most reliable vehicle I have ever been lucky enough to drive that truck kept me alive. So if anyone is looking for a good truck for a teenage driver this would be the truck for you.

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  Secure, comfortable and reliable - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By truthsayer325 - July 6 - 10:50 pm

  I have had my Yukon for nearly 12 months and it was a bit of an adjustment from my Lexus SUV. Until a few weeks ago I was satisfied with it but now I am enthusiastic. I just got off the road. 10 hours and 650 miles reminded me of why I got it. Its a road warrior. Great value and very comfortable .

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  Interior is going wrong! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By GMC OWNER - July 4 - 8:40 pm

  Ive had the acadia over 2 years. I love it! Well recently Ive had some problems with the interior. The hydraulic arms to the back door have also gone bad. The larger seat in the middle passenger row wont move. The seat belts in the back are not comfortable (latches), they dont give at all. Good if you are tiny and can fit between them. Im just disappointed in the problems going wrong right now. Sunglass compartment on dash also sticks. Nothing mechanical (cross your fingers). Wish the tires were a normal size so they didnt cost so much to replace! Love the car though!