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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  Suckered by GMC - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By suckered - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Horrid vehicle. Extensive problems since purchase - major mechanical failures. Sporadically refuses to start - problem untraceable by mechanical professionals. Wipers periodically choose not to work when it rains. Design a nightmare - remove whole console and side panel to replace a broken heater core? Youve got to be kidding. Had Chevy with over 200k miles with no problems. Nissan the same. GMC Jimmy a nightmare. Had to get cell phone for protection due to its unreliability. Will never own GMC product again.

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  Mikes Overall SUV Reviews#11 - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Mikes SUV Reviews - July 9 - 2:53 am

  Major trouble with drive train and gas milage to low which lead me to trade for a toyota Highlander 4x4 four cylinder which has excellent seating comfort and engine gets about 27 mpg on long drives.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By fedude - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Let me see if I can list all the problems Ive had with this vehicle in just the last year. Tires at 15K, Wipers failed, Check engine light always on, Cruise failed, Been to the dealer about a dozen times for non- routine maintenance. Front end rattle. I had a Nissan pathfinder before this one and Im sorry I switched to a chevy.

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  Total Lemon - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By East Texas - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Been in the shop 7 times in a year. Awful vehicle. Awful quality. Problems since day one. Very disappointing. This vehicle is a complete hunk of junk. Front end problems. Transmission problems. Steering problems. Interior plastic is popping off. Seat covers are coming off and coming apart. Paint is chipping off of all knobs.

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  shady - 1999 GMC Envoy
  By esclade - March 31 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle looks good but expensive to maintain. if your headlight goes out you go to the store and buy a new one for about $12 i on the other hand have to go to a dealership and spend $2,000. thats for one. ive probably thrown $9000 into it since ive had it and i bought it off lease with only 22000 miles on it. there is some good features to the truck that you dont find on many. but theres no power drivers seat.

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  SERVICE 4WD LIGHT ON FOR FOURTH TIME! - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By clovermg - March 27 - 2:00 am

  My 03 Envoys SERVICE 4WD light came on the 1st time at 574 MILES, 2nd time at 4242 MILES, 3rd time at 6490 MILES & 4th time at 9387 MILES. Its had 3 IGNITION SWITCHES in 1 WEEK & Ive only had it 9 mos. I contacted GM about this & was told about a repurchase then told no but never told why. The area rep doesnt have to give a reason why, he doesnt have to call me when Ive asked for him to & they wont give me his info. I told GM this was "UNEXCEPTABLE" and asked to speak with a supervisor & the supervisor HUNG UP ON ME! GM NEEDS TO GET THE ENVOYS ACT TOGETHER! I will NEVER buy GM again! Im on to NY state lemon law now. WISH ME LUCK!

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  2011 gmc 5.3l flex fuel - 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
  By outdrmn - March 26 - 5:44 pm

  I bought this truck 2 years ago with 7,000 miles. It now has 51,000 miles. Been a very comfortable truck, but when it comes to what you need a truck with a v8 for it doesnt work. I run mobile 1 synthetic oil and change every 5,000 miles. Yet when towing a vintage camper (2,600lbs) and a 4x4 4 wheeler in the bed the truck wont pull a hill at 45 without overheating with no more than 2,500 miles on oil change. Also a 3 year old truck I have had to reinstall the door bumper guards since they fell off at 37,000 miles, comfortable truck but the the GMC brand I knew growing up, Id gladly take my 09 silverado back

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  bad choice - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By pbdrive - March 26 - 2:00 am

  for the money, this is the worst investment you can make. the interior design is the same in the $30K yukon as the $52K denali, and looks and feels cheap. the denali is bulky, sways significantly with bumps, and the steering is so loose there is not the slightest feel of agility with this vehicle. further, i have had multitude of problems with the headlights not coming on, as well as problems with reduced engine power and stabilitrack. the navigation is cumbersome, and confusing and is not touchscreen (even the nav on the honda accord is touchscreen!)

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  I got shafted - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By I_got_shafted - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car to have 4x4 for NJ snow. Along with it I had to replace muffler, tires, engine, altinator, muffler, catalic converter, some diaphram thing for the brakes, dont even try to replace the spark plugs on this took me 2 days, waterpump, fuelpump, 4x4 switch. I think I have done enough work and replaced enough of this to build a new car. CAVEAT EMPTOR!

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  Very Disappointed - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By foreverteach - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Terrible! Transmission, altenator, wiper motor, power window motor all went out. I am very dissapointed in this vehicle and would not recommend anyone to buy one.