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:

• 

  STay Away - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Turd - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Replaced 4 sets of wheel bearings to date. Ride is terrible on gravel and bumpy roads.

• 

  gm come clean - 2000 GMC Safari
  By santa claus - September 3 - 2:00 am

  bought a 2000.early fluid problems and 57000 miles trans failed. the electronic trans has serious flaws. light weak parts destined to fail. the sun and 1870 code /lose reverse/ valves wear out. had tranny problems under warrannty and got the gm run around . the typical ,could not duplicate problem so they didnt fix nothing. now I sit with a $2000 + repair bill. lots of gm vechiles have this tranny. I am tireing of gms we have no problems additude, and as long as they get past the 36,000 mile warranty. they dont give a hoot the price of these vechicles they should LAST A LOT LONGER. john q public is getting ripped off.

• 

  SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY FORD - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Happy Consumer - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Got rid of my Ford Ranger Edge to get more room. Big mistake. This truck has rattled since the day I bought it. Windshield seal came out at highway speed a week after I got it. Dealership said it happens allot in warm climatesÂ…HELLO GM HOW ABOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS ALLOT. Interior is cheap and truck has already been having electrical problems (shorts causing check engine light to come on). I spent more time in a rental Neon than in my new truck. It is very capable off road. I think my problems are more from cheap workmanship than faulty parts. GM should slow down their assembly line and pay attention to what their doing.

• 

  A disaster - 2006 GMC Sierra 3500
  By MyGMCLemon - August 8 - 4:26 pm

  I am absoultely horrified that I have a brand new vehicle that actually just shuts itself off while I am driving. It has now been into the dealership twice with only 1200 miles on it. Since they can not get codes out of the computer they can not isolate the problem and fix it. This truck has been a nightmare. It has been to the dealership twice now for repair. I still do not have it back and they still can not figure out what is wrong.

• 

  First GMC Sierra 1500 - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Sierra2008 - August 5 - 10:00 am

  This Truck has been nothing but problems. Starts out with, 6 door locks being replaced, A new radio, rattles, dir seat broke, steering wheel Bearing went bad. Now no warranty left, Have HVAC issues, it does not start up on the first try dealer told me itÂ’s the fuel pump, which will cost 1000 bucks. I cannot believe GM would even put-out this truck and call it professional grade. What a POS. The transmission shifts terribly, the driveline is noisy with clunks and the engine has oil consumption issues. IF YOU HAVE AN LC9 alum block 5.3L AFM ENGINE OR CREW CAB CHECK THE OIL. You will need new pistons installed and an AFM oil shield after 30,000. Im going back to a FORD F150

• 

  A GMC YUCKVOY - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Yuckvoy - August 2 - 2:00 am

  HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT !!!!!, OK Ill give the style and looks an 8. I should have stuck with a foreign manufactures vehicle and not gone back to American made. Bad gas mileage, too many recalls, too many times in the shop. A/C has never worked properly when you first start the vehicle and 3 dealers have no clue how to fix it. More paint chips than chips ahoy cookies

• 

  Stay away, Stay away - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By Lisa22 - July 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought new and the doors were too short for the frame. Two days after purchase the transmission went out. The dealership would not take the car back. Since then, all mechanical parts have been replaced at least once. Service engine light is always on. Therefore, it lets you know the engine is running.

• 

  Color mine yellow - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jack Thomas - July 19 - 10:00 am

  What can I say...bought it in May, 02. In the shop four times by Sept. 1 02. Quality, workmanship, seems like it was just slapped together. GM has been no help.....preparing my lemon paperwork...brakes, cracked exhaust manifold, trans spline sheared off, starter failed, and for some reason the right side headlight has burned out 4 times since I bought it!

• 

  Denali Disapoints - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Freehold GMC - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe US manufacturing can still not get it. I guess I can now look to the Foreigners for my next vehicle becuase I finally am so dissapointed in GM that I have no choice. The 03 Denali has so many problems in 4,000 miles that I will begin to look at my Lemon Law options. Nice try but no QC.

• 

  Good by GM - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By port1988 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I have bought 8 new vehicles in the last 5 years, 3 of them from GM , all of them have been nothing but trips back to the Dealer. My new Envoy $37,325 peice of junk, wipers stopped working twice in the middle of a snow storm (replaced censor) the front bumper had to be reattached the AC stopped working. The rattles underneath sound like the truck is old. (4800)The front drivers seat Squeeks and now a recall that the engine block could crack and the electrical system (dash board) could fail, Two recalls in the same month. I have only 4800 miles on this truck and I just sold it for a TOYOTA, never again GM.