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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  2000 Jimmy SLE - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Our Jimmy has been a pleasure to own and drive. It is comfortable, we drove it to Maine.In 2 years we have had no repairs, just maintanence. We have driven it 45,000 miles in that time. The Jimmy is smaller than most others, but we like the size for urban driving.Iwould buy another one.

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  Dependable - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By joevalis - September 30 - 2:00 am

  One of the best vechicles I ever owned. Rides great and is very dependable. Had no problems with it except normal wear and tear. Has 120000 miles bught it new and Iam going to sell it to my daughter.

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  A great Sport Truck - 1997 GMC Sonoma
  By Askani - September 25 - 2:00 am

  While my review will be a bit baised, the truth of the matter is that this is a great truck. I own one of the limited models that came with the full ZQ8 package. Needless to say, this truck is more than powerful, and an excellent example of how a sport truck should handle. The truck is very responsive to modifications, which I can attest to personally since mine runs the quarter in a little over 13 seconds flat. Yet, as a pure work truck it is as relaible as can be, and has far better styling than the competition. If you must settle for a mid-size truck, than this is the best choice out there.

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  Im In Love with My Yukon - 2000 GMC Yukon
  By LW - September 25 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Yukon for 2-1/2 years and it has been a fun experience. It performs great, has lots of room and is very comfortable. It is so nice to let the back seats down and haul a lot of things. We have taken several long trips and have loaded it down each time. The stereo system is just great, too. It seems as though GM put a lot of thought in the details of the interior. We have had lots of compliments on it and will purchase another one someday.

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  Love This Truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Dwight - September 20 - 9:40 am

  This truck replaced a V6 GMC I had for 17yrs. The power of the V8 is wonderful for a 4.8L and half the price of the 5.3L The truck handles great. It sits higher than my old truck so is a little harder to get into (Im 6ft) so I installed nerf bars. Everything about the truck is high quality. Lots of cab storage, cup holders. The stereo is quite good for factory installed.

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  Family buggy - 2000 GMC Safari
  By d little - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Good gas miliage compaired to ford windstar. a lot more room. Can tow a trailer with it even though the ford had the 3.8 liter v6 prior to this we had a Contour that got about fourteen miles to the gallon so twenty seems great.

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  Wow, What A Truck!! - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By NesBilt.com - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Just bought it and LOVE it! I have the V6 and there is plenty of power! Its going to be fun upgrading this bad boy!

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  We LOVE this SUV - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Hardhwak - September 19 - 2:00 am

  We LOVE this SUV. We have had it over a year and have had no significant problems with it. Yes, a few little minor issues arose, but those were taken care of quickly and easily by our dealer. If it were stoled or destroyed tomorrow, we would get another one just like it.

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  Its a winner! - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By miltonw - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE my new Envoy... I got a super deal on it too! $4,500 off from dealer, plus $2,000 rebate, plus $1,750 off from my GM Master card rebate (taken off sales price right at the dealer)! I test drove the Kia, Mazda, Ford(s) and Nissan (xterra) before I bought and the Envoy won hands down. Just the right size too.

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  2002 Envoy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By jdp - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent towing vehicle. 4.2L inline 6 engine puts out much more horsepower than its predecessor - the 4.3L V6