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:

• 

  Needs alot of work - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By beachbun - February 20 - 2:00 am

  If i had read the reviews before hand I would never got one. The engine blew at 7000 miles and continued to give me problems after being replaced. The ses light is always on with the reduced power light on also. The transmission blew at 18000 miles and was replaced.The car has been in the shop over 50 days.I am in the process of trying to get GM to buy back the car. Never another ENVOY.Its just one thing after another the rear window has leaked since my purchase and has been replaced.Many other problems also but I dont have enough space. GM should fix problems not run from them as they have.

• 

  no more gm - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By leo444 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  pitiful, at 45000 the trans went out on hwy, alternator went out,wiper moter out, rear glass activator out, ac compressor out, intake manifold leak, fuel pump out. not to mention all the interior plastics that just

• 

  Rattle Trap - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Matt - February 2 - 12:50 am

  Bought this truck with 28,000 miles. Was great until 40,000. The rear Air spring compressor went out, the factory CD player jammed and had to be replaced, Needed new A/c O-rings, the airbag needed to be serviced, theres a popping noise in the front end now, and the interior is flimsy and cheap. There are tons of wind noise and it seems like theres a new squeak or rattle every month. The fact that i can remove pieces of the interior with my bare hands is downright pathetic.

• 

  Problem child to good citizen - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Rwm - January 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my used sonoma with 4,000 miles. Within the first year of owning my truck I visited the GMC dealer for the replacement of my rear axis, starter, carberator, clusters board, various fuses, breaking system, anti-lock breaks, wiper blade motor, leaking hose for air condition system, leaking hose for exhaust system and other minor repairs. My thoughts were that the prior owner damaged the truck before resaling, because after those parts were replaced (free of charge) my truck is running fine.

• 

  2001 General Mistake Concieved - 2001 GMC Safari
  By Burnt - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle spent more time in the garage being fixed than on the road.Seventeen times in just over two years.Brakes warping,bad tires,water leaks around the seals,broken receiver on seatbelt (drivers),paint peeling on the plastic bumper in circular patterns,electric lock actuator burned out(passenger side),unbalanced tires from the factory one that was replaced due to excessive radial sidewall runout,doors misaligned from the factory,sidepanel on seat broke twice because of plastic rivet mounts,and this is some of the problems I experienced in a two year time frame. This dealer gave me a loaner car once in seventeen trips!!!Find your own way to work.

• 

  Not worth the purchase - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Alaska Owner - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but trouble form the start. The quality is very poor. The doors seem that they dont hold a seal. Various engine problems too. Find a different truck. Dont want you as a buyer to go through what I am going through.

• 

  customer - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By ttjj - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This has been one of the worst experances I ever had with a car. had this car about a year and fixed everything under the hood./

• 

  REALLY!!! DONT DO IT. DEALERS TRYING TO GET RID OF OR SOMETHING!!!!!!!!CRAP!!!!!!!! - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By tinasfinest - December 20 - 1:02 am

  This is a beautiful looking truck that everyone stops and stairs. The 50 thousand price tag for a truck that is already rusting at 25k miles and has had the radiator replaced at 11k miles, several recalls, etc. Not worth the money. Stick to the oldie but goodies. Again she is a looker till you look underneath. Dont do it and if you already did such as myself, get rid of it while you can!

• 

  ITS A DUD - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Yvonda - December 11 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH USED, SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY TAKEN THRU TO 2005 WITH NO MAJOR PROBLEMS IVE HAD THREE RECALL NOTICES ABOUT CERTAIN PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AND ITS BEEN A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SUPPORTER OF GM VEHICLES, BUT THIS HAS REALLY SOURED ME ON GM PRODUCTS I DONT THINK ILL EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO A DISAPPOINTMENT AND TREATED ME WITH DISRESPECT.

• 

  Poor quality - defects - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By UnhappyWithDenali - December 7 - 2:00 am

  We recently bought the Denali. It cost $53,000, so we expected a top of the line vehicle. What we got instead was a lemon. Even with the extended warranty, we are not able to fix a problem with loud clanging in the exhaust which is known to GMC corporation. We are not aware if this is even a safety issue. The corporation does not offer any information. We did get the seal of the windshield fixed. It was very loud because of the windshield air leak, which may also be a hazard.