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:

• 

  Junk - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Patrick - January 1 - 6:35 pm

  Take a peek inside a GMC Yukon, and youll see one of the worst constructed interiors of any vehicle on the market. The plastics are of horrible quality, the trim is illfitting, the wood is incredibly fake which doesnt look kindly on a $50,000 vehicle, and the controls are shared with such vehicles as the Chevy Cavalier. What has GM come to when it cannot even design an interior correctly? Nevermind the hideous, bulbous exterior and the abysmal fuel economy, I mean, its not as if global warming is getting worse and worse, lets just go and buy a vehicle that gets 13 mpg. Oh yeah and its crap to drive too.

• 

  Horrible, Horrible SUV - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By DONT BUY THIS SUV! - December 14 - 1:06 pm

  This SUV has been nothing short of a horror story for me. Quickly running down the problems/repairs: wheel bearings (too many to acurrately remember), rear wiper motor, fuel pump,defective gas guage, ball joints, turn signal defect, blown both front speakers, handle to raise/lower seat back broke off, horrible accelleration/power, and very low heat that keeps recurring even after I get the heater core flushed. The car rides so horribly that it feels as if the wheels are going to fall off. I bought the truck w/ 22000 miles and its been a nightmare since day one. Do not ... I repeat Do Not buy this SUV!! Ask any mechanic .. these things are notorious for all the problems Ive listed and more

• 

  Why GM looses market share explained - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By jim4nier - December 13 - 11:13 pm

  The last GM product my family and I will ever own. We purchased this truck for my 75 year old dad. My dad is a WWII veteran, and wanted to purchase an American made truck. His previous truck had been a 1985 Toyota 4x4 which he owned for eleven years and had no problems other than he had to replace the exhaust system twice. The problems with the Sonoma began shortly after driving it off the lot. The 4x4 system proved problematic for the 1st year and once fixed worked well (its only used 4-5 a year for a mile or two each time). The rear bearings needed to replace at 18,000 miles. The calipers and brakes are the vehicles major weak points. Radio stinks too.

• 

  Look before you buy - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By chevylover1965 - December 13 - 9:09 pm

  Overall the truck offers inferior quality, poor towing capability, and poor service from General Motors. The turning radius is horrible, as is the braking system. It is underpowered to the point that the transmission must shift often to maintain speed. The most significant problem is a weak air conditioning system. The air fluctuates between cold and warm. GM is aware of the problem, but does not have a fix.

• 

  GMCs stink - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By DB from PA - October 21 - 6:33 pm

  Many electrical problems with this since purchase, wipers, lights, radio, mirrors, interior light/door switch, etc. Got them fixed. Weak drivers side door hinge, O2 sensors go bad frequently, never received letter about ball joint recall and paid out of pocket instead. AC has had problems, fan switch....must I go on? Buy a Toyota, Nissan or Isuzu instead and save yourself some headaches. GMC needs to go back to the drawing board on this one.

• 

  POOR GMC - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By POOR GMC - October 12 - 7:06 am

  THE 4.8 WILL NOT TOW ANYTHING. IT HAS TROUBLE PULLING ITSELF UP SMALL HILLS IN OVERDRIVE. POOR GAS MILEAGE.

• 

  The Jimmy - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By tiffany sanburg - October 8 - 12:01 pm

  We were not very pleased with this vehicle. It was not reliable at all and we had to do a lot of repairs at very inconvenient times, like the side of the road. We felt it was a poorly made SUV.

• 

  DISAPPOINTED - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By tara crotts - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I AM HAVING A REALLY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH MY 2004 DENALI. I HAVE A REALLY BAD POPING NOISE UNDER THE CAR IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BUT THEY SAY THEY CANT FIX IT THEY DONT KNOW HOW TOO. SO I TRY NOT TO DRIVE UNLESS I HAVE TO , I PARK AT THE END OF THE PARKING LOT, SO KNOW ONE WILL KNOW ITS MINE. ITS SOUND LIKE SOMEONE IS UNDER IT HITTING IT WITH A HAMMER. YOU PAY 50000 FOR A VEHICLE AND ASHAMED TO DRIVE IT. I WOULDNT RECOMMENT ANYONE TO BUY ONE NOW. IT NOT WORTH THE EMBARRASEMENT.

• 

  The Worst Car I Have Ever owned - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By JP - July 31 - 11:33 am

  One month after purchase the front transmission decided to engage at 75 mph on the interstate. That was a $1200 computer chip replacement. 2 weeks later the brakes completely went out with no explanation from the dealer, $650. 7 months later the ingition lock went out, $300. 1 Year after having the front transmission fixed, it broke again and will engage by itself. Currently the rear window wiper motor has gone out, the ABS light is always on, the windshield wipers have a mind of their own and will stop after being on for ten minutes and take a break, or will continue to run after you turn them off. I wish I had more room to continue. This has been the worst car I have ever owned and will be the last GMC.

• 

  Garbage Motors Crap - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Fred - July 30 - 9:50 pm

  Seats are made of cheap foam that compresses and is uncomfortable to sit on after 1k miles. I loved the first 1k miles and have hated it ever since. Fuel tank slosh when tank is 3/4 to full, you can hear it sloshing and and feel in banging from front to rear at a sudden stop. Accelerator and brake pedals are too close to together. Sole of right dress shoe get caught on right side by stupid piece of an ill conceived plastic cover. I am 6 ft & hit my head when entering in truck, roof line has been lowered too low, by inept idiots. Brake squeal at 5 and 15 mph. Trailer brake controller is low on left side of dash hard to reach and use. Stop Klunk noise. Dealers dont care.