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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  Its fair for the price - 1998 GMC Envoy
  By willie - November 18 - 4:49 pm

  I got it on the 23rd of Dec. So far so good. Handles great. A little transmission problem but changed to oil. Also in the summer mounths it shifts really hard, but not in the cold months

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  2005 1500 GMC Extended Cab - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Orlean - November 17 - 7:40 pm

  Except for the early tranny issue and the noise coming from my steering column, this truck has been spectacular! Thanks to a personal mechanic who was a GM mechanic, the steering column has become a non-issue. And, the dealership took GREAT care of the tranny issue. 140,000 miles into it and I STILL love this truck! Ive driven it to/from CA and TX several times, in both winter and summer, and its served me VERY well! MPG has deteriorated over the years, but thats to be expected. Started at 17MPG and now at 15! I miss that extra 2MPG!

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  PEE-UUUU - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By Ray - November 16 - 9:48 am

  Bought with 74k on it. 1st and last GMC. Poor gas mileage. AC leaks out in a week and now bad heater core that requires total removal of dash and disconnect AC lines under hood just to remove heater core. Dealer wants $1,100 to replace. Lost my shirt on this truck

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  Great little truck does a bunch well - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By metuttle - November 15 - 5:39 pm

  Owned this truck from new and man I wish I could get a new one when this ones times up. About 110k and two repairs. One alternator at about75k ($250) and bad catalytic converter and tail pipe section about 110k ($400). Otherwise a great driving little truck.

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  I love my truck! - 1995 GMC Sierra 1500
  By ZakVortec95 - November 15 - 4:46 pm

  i have a 95 sierra long box 4x4 that i have done some modifications to. being 16 i like to add things to it like so far a visor avs bug visor and vent shades, cherry bomb extreme. i love it it has a lot of power it looks nice. i recomend it! btw it has a vortec 305

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  Major Problems - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Stauch - November 14 - 7:26 pm

  This is probably the worst vehicle I have ever purchased. I traded in a 2001 Dakota to try and improve on the amount of money I spend weekly for gas. I do quite a bit of driving due to my work, plus I have to be able to carry material with me out to distant job sites. My first 3 months the truck was in the shop 7 times. I called the GM hotline to no avail. All of the problems had stemmed from when the truck was built. Windsheild wiper transmission mounts welded in wrong place, causing wipers to dig through plastic, gouge windshield, and finally stripping, all during a major storm, which is what my job is all about. Defective wiring, fried CPU. Dead on the side of the road again

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  Bought cause it was cheap - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By faulknerhanover - November 14 - 1:27 pm

  I bought this truck because it was cheap and had a 0% finance rate, but I love the thing. It has a great ride and the 5 speed manual transmission shifts great. It is a truck to get me around for a,while, but I ended up loving it.

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  Less for More - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Mike - November 12 - 8:48 pm

  Good Looking SUV. Poor mileage, poor fit and finish. Seat belt not adjustable, high tension. Noisy ride due to air leaks. Transmission shifts from 2WD or AWD into 4WD on its own. Seats are not as comfortable as in my 2003 Envoy.

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  Good Job G.M. - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Sid Wombold - November 10 - 11:53 pm

  Now have 1,000 miles on the Terrain. Came from an Enclave and in my opinion this is a better built vehicle. With the 4cyl. it will shift less on the hills than the V6 Enclave. First tank full gave 25.1 m.p.g. and the DIC is showing over 26 on this tank. The looks is still growing on me. I preferred the Equinox and the better 1/2 preferred the Terrain. So we compromised and bought the Terrain. Decent seats and good room for 4 people. Better stereo than the Bose in the Enclave.

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  A truck you dont want to get rid of - 1994 GMC Yukon
  By Gmcwayoflife - November 10 - 10:30 am

  I have a 1994 Yukon GT and its been in the family for about 10 years now. My mom used to drive it and now I drive it. It has 228,000 miles on it. Ive used Mobil 1 the whole time through tough towing offroading and burnouts and yet it still runs like new. Not once has this vehicle ever broken down on us and left us stranded. Its an amazing truck. Powerful, well built, reliable. Its very safe in all weather conditions especially snow. It might not be the best on gas but theres just something about these trucks that all owners love. This truck will be in my family for the rest of my life. Its getting restored as soon as Im done with school.