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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  Best I have owned - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By driver - August 14 - 4:06 pm

  Overall, very satisfied. I travel a lot on business and put 25-30 thousand miles a year on my car. Biggest problems: replaced compressor at 60K miles and at 90K a brake caliper fell off and damaged the rim. No complaints otherwise. It is the most comfortable and smoothest ride I have owned, surpassing my 93 Buick Lesabre. With 4WD it will go anywher I need it to go in any weather. And the versatility of an SUV body is great. Good sound system and A/C. Good driver visibility.

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  BUYERS BEWARE - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Marc Ferguson - August 14 - 10:00 am

  The GMC Envoy is great, so we though. Our Envoy is now 11 months old with 11900 miles on it. It is NOT reliable at all. its in the shop for the second time this week for the same problem. It doesnt start, and when it does, the headlight sprayers spray by themselvs, the clock resets and the engine was roaring and the car would NOT accelerate. Decreased Engine power light comes on and we can NOT drive it at all. The electronic mirrors that adjust to your driver settings never work, the door locks have broken several times, and the suspension is pretty bad at times. Overall, the car is VERY unreliable

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  Built on Wednesday! - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Jeff va - August 13 - 9:45 pm

  One tough ole bird! Bought the truck in 2000 with 96K miles from my brother. Got 215K out of her before I put her up for sale. Various maintenance items replaced along the way, water pump at 118K, clutch at 126K, alternator at 127K, fuel pump at 179K, radiator at 214K due a cracked tank. Never had to go into the motor. Origional timing chain was still in service when it sold! Truck had tow package with engine oil cooler. I think that and a healthy diet of Amsoil and Mobil 1 greatly contributed to trucks longevity. Would buy another one in a minute!

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  Satisfied - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By foxz - August 12 - 8:06 pm

  Drives well for the first 2000 miles, gas mileage 22 on the road,14 on lots of up and down roads in the NC mountains which is not bad. Comfort of seats very good with lumbar, lots of storage, removed 3rd seats and rear storage compartment (for the trip) which provides additional room for everything your bringing along due to added height (about 8")in the rear area. The optional method of shifting manually while in low range seems to work well in the mountains on steep grades. Fuel gauge seems to operate in correctly when parked on hills, giving false reading lower than it actually is. Once it is driven for a while it returns to correct operation.

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  Nice Engine! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Pinchme - August 11 - 10:10 pm

  Just traded our 06 Denali in for the 07, loved the new body style just couldnt afford it in 07. We had few problems with the 06 so had no reservations about buying another one. The 07 is great (havent had it long)...the engine is even more powerful than previous one...and I raved about that one. The passing gear is amazing. Exhaust bellow is music to my ears. Domestic build quality always leaves something to be desired when compared to imports...but thats always the case. Fuel eco is great considering the near 400 hp engine and massive vehicle size, its better than my Nissan Titan. If your looking for a serious people mover I would highly recommend looking at these.

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  I love my Envoy! - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By NVmy ENVOY - August 11 - 9:42 pm

  Ive owned my Envoy for about 2 years now and I couldnt have picked a better car! I drive from Ohio to Georgia a lot and that long drive is tolerable because I am comfortable! I only fill up once to start, then once on the road and still have some gas left over when I get home. Great purchase!

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  Solid truck - 1996 GMC Yukon
  By JimC - August 10 - 11:38 pm

  I bought this truck with 75,000 miles and it now has nearly 175,000. I love this truck. Comfortable, big as an aircraft hangar inside. I have towed many antique cars up and down mountains and the old GM 350ci engine cant be beat. Very little pickup - sometimes need to stand on the accelerator. But I have beat the crap out of that engine and it doesnt even burn oil. Surprisingly, the tranny is still OK after all those miles and all that towing. Did have significant A/C rebuild at 120k, but thats all the major stuff. Great truck!

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  Great Car - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Pauld - August 10 - 8:44 am

  Coming from a Honda fan, I couldnt have been more surprised to how much I have grown to love this vehicle. I purchased it when you couldnt pass up the deals and I have been glad ever since. Only back to the dealer once for a very small squeak that was taken care of. Tows our travel trailer as if it wasnt there. Quiet, smooth, powerful, very comfortable, good looking. I believe GM has won me back for future consideration of cars.

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  It was my baby! - 1994 GMC Suburban
  By Regina Gant - August 9 - 3:19 pm

  I loved driving my truck. I drove it everywhere. I drove it from Texas to Kentucky which is 1,016 miles. I drove it from Kentucky to South Carolina which is 600 miles round trip. I loved the style of it. I loved every thing about it. Something went wrong with the front passenger side tie rods, bearings, rotaries or something cause it caused me to swirve, hit a ditch and roll. For some reason it would not come back to the left. I just came out of a right hand turn and the front passenger wheel just woudnt come back to the left for me to straighten back out in my lane.

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  My Work truck - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By joe - August 8 - 11:37 pm

  Since I have had my Sonoma, I have gotten avg. of 26mpg. The power of the 4 cyl engine leaves to be desired, however, it is a good crusing truck and rides very nice. It is sporty looking and really fun to drive.