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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  Awesome! - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By en4rcer - December 8 - 2:00 am

  This was my first SUV purchase and I am in love (or lust). I had test driven several other SUVs in its class including the Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have had no problems with the Envoy and it is a fun vehicle to drive. I am about 15 years younger than the "average" Envoy driver - and it shows when people considerably older than me compliment me on the Envoy. Great ride, loaded with features, and has what seems to be a reliable and powerful engine.

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  Low Cost ,Reliable, Great Vehicle - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By R Krebs - December 6 - 10:53 am

  Purchase new eight years ago. 26 MPG. Truck receives scheduled maintenance, and has performed flawlessly. Radio was replaced (defective from factory), one set of brakes and 2 sets of tires in 105,000 miles. Orig. exhaust and clutch, water pump, etc. 4 cyl. is underpowered, interior is stylish but uncomfortable for the passenger b/c of uneven floor. Small passenger compartment cools down really fast in the summer and heats up fast in the winter. Great vehicle for commuting or suburban 2nd car. With a low end price tag this vehicle has exceeded my expectations for 8 years now!

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  Its a love/hate thing with this Jimmy - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By IowaBreeze - December 5 - 2:58 pm

  In 5 years and 130K miles I have replaced both front hub assemblies, two fuel pumps, heater core, whole AC system, tie rod ends,radiator, alternator, many sets of brake pads, and none of it is cheap!! Also, the seat back handle broke, the lights on the steering wheel and doors failed, the visor mirror lights quit, I have no floor heat, and my 4WD wont engage. $7000+ in repairs over 5 years! It is comfortable to drive and the engine is a runner, but the other components are pure junk. What a disappointment. 19 MPG is not too great at $3.00 per gallon. Never again!

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  Love It! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By sebl - December 2 - 5:23 pm

  What more could you want from a vehicle? Better gas mileage (mine averages 21) than SUVs yet with the same amount of space (actually the Acadia has a longer wheelbase than the Yukon). All the extra features you could ask for and comfort, visability, space, etc. The cars message screen actually tells you "Ice possible, please drive with care" or reminds you that the blinker is on. All for less than $40k...try and get a Tahoe loaded for that!

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  92 Suburban c1500 - 1992 GMC Suburban
  By B - December 2 - 11:13 am

  My 92 Suburban was in my family, a family member gave it to me. It was pretty well taken care of except for the fact he barely drove it, so some rust accumilated. It has the great 5.7 liter, which isnt too good on gas. Also, the 42 gallon tank is very unforgiving. Ill put in $40 in gas, and the needle barely moves, but whatever it is really fun to drive. My exhaust was falling off so I put in a performance LMC truck dual ehaust system, which sounds great, and was only $20 more than a stock style system. I also put in a new stereo, and speakers because the one it came with didnt work. If you take care of this truck, it will work great.

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  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
  By tdorsett_1 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Hauling hay and horses has never been so easy, power to spare, better on fuel mileage that I would have though. Pulling a small 2-horse slant load trailer with two 1200 lb. horses or a twenty-foot trailer loaded with three round bails of hay, I get an average of 18 miles per gallon. Without pulling, I get between 21 and 25 miles per Gallon. (Highway)

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  Outstanding SUV! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Happy in Huntsville - November 30 - 8:18 am

  I bought this one used a year ago. I have driven it to and from work and on long trips several times and am very pleased with everything about it. After putting 20K miles on it - I have had zero problems. I average 18 - 19 mpg work and back, 21+ on long trips and 16 pulling a bass boat. Love the power and ride!

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  SLS Short Bed 6 5spdMT Great Truck - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Owned for Five Years - November 25 - 10:15 am

  Owned mine 5 yrs & very happy with it. SLS, standard cab (2 seats), 5-speed manual trans., 2.2L 4-cyl., stereo with single CD, manual door locks and manual windows. 19-22 mpg city, 24.0- 25.6 mpg hwy range about 350-360 miles/tank. Rides better with a load in the bed. Very reliable. Interior gauges easy to see. Daytime running lights & it switches automatically to night headlamps, very useful. Comfortable. Perfectly engineered for its purpose. Good looking exterior. I added a soft tonneau, then a cap when I could afford, which helped gas mileage 1-2 mpg. Great visibility without cap, limited but acceptable with cap. Small bump in bed where gas tank is, not a big deal. Good turning radius.

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  GOOD BUY - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By TCLIF - November 21 - 10:00 am

  LAZY BOY ON WHEELS

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  A-1 - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Ray/Gordon - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Due to the fact I live in a national forest next to a higher elevation mountain, and I can easily have snow and ice when the lower lands do not, I need 4wd. My Envoy is "peppy" and comfortable. There is plenty of room for driver, passengers, and baggage. I could easily rate my Envoy a 9.5.