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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  Horrible, Horrible SUV - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By DONT BUY THIS SUV! - December 14 - 1:06 pm

  This SUV has been nothing short of a horror story for me. Quickly running down the problems/repairs: wheel bearings (too many to acurrately remember), rear wiper motor, fuel pump,defective gas guage, ball joints, turn signal defect, blown both front speakers, handle to raise/lower seat back broke off, horrible accelleration/power, and very low heat that keeps recurring even after I get the heater core flushed. The car rides so horribly that it feels as if the wheels are going to fall off. I bought the truck w/ 22000 miles and its been a nightmare since day one. Do not ... I repeat Do Not buy this SUV!! Ask any mechanic .. these things are notorious for all the problems Ive listed and more

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  Great Ride - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By Bradensdad - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Ride is great, Dealer has been wonderful to work with and very customer friendly. Passenger seat is not the best on a long ride and can cause some back pain if you are suscepti ble to same.

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  Yukon XL - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By FastEddie - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Lots of room in the trunk AND passenger area. Drives like a car, not like a pickup truck. Much better than our last people mover (a 4 yr. old Suburban). Was impressed with the improvements.

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  2002 2WD Basic 1500 PU - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By julio61 - December 14 - 2:00 am

  My very plain 2002 GMC has had NO problems and I have not had to take it back to the dealer for service other than scheduled maintenance. Very nice ride and quite adequate power. Has never failed to start and always runs well. No complaints.

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  Why GM looses market share explained - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By jim4nier - December 13 - 11:13 pm

  The last GM product my family and I will ever own. We purchased this truck for my 75 year old dad. My dad is a WWII veteran, and wanted to purchase an American made truck. His previous truck had been a 1985 Toyota 4x4 which he owned for eleven years and had no problems other than he had to replace the exhaust system twice. The problems with the Sonoma began shortly after driving it off the lot. The 4x4 system proved problematic for the 1st year and once fixed worked well (its only used 4-5 a year for a mile or two each time). The rear bearings needed to replace at 18,000 miles. The calipers and brakes are the vehicles major weak points. Radio stinks too.

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  Look before you buy - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By chevylover1965 - December 13 - 9:09 pm

  Overall the truck offers inferior quality, poor towing capability, and poor service from General Motors. The turning radius is horrible, as is the braking system. It is underpowered to the point that the transmission must shift often to maintain speed. The most significant problem is a weak air conditioning system. The air fluctuates between cold and warm. GM is aware of the problem, but does not have a fix.

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  A Monday Yuke - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By FllRick - December 13 - 7:13 pm

  Must have been built on a Monday. Battery dead on third day. The two front wheel caps werent aligned with the wheels. Hung a coat on rear coat hook, and it pulled out of the ceiling. Check master cylinder, and check stabilitrack messages. All within first 1500 miles. Engine makes a soft rattling noise like a bearing is off, but fortunately, the GMC service person assures me GMC designs the engines to make rattling noises, so guess Ill turn up the XM radio and relax. Except for the disturbing noise that can only be heard by me, GMC has fixed everything else under warranty. Its not that its a lemon. I actually like the thing. Im just disappointed with initial quality control.

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  Pretty Satisfied - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By Mike - December 13 - 5:11 pm

  I have had an ABS/Traction Control fault problem with less than 1500 mile on it. The wheels look like they are plastic wheel coverings. Otherwise, I am very happy with the SLT package.

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  GMC Savana diesel - 1999 GMC Savana
  By Rob AMOS - December 13 - 4:06 pm

  Great van. We use it to tow the US Bobsled to shows. Gives great power and fuel mileage for such a large van. Im looking foward to buying the new GM Diesel van. We also take it to a lot of Nascar Races. We are very active in racing selling our products to several teams and sponsor several teams. Its not uncommen to see Nascar drivers catching a ride in our van. It can seat 15 people. All in all very satisfied.

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  Hey GM Designers Quit taking stupid pills - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By takeabreak - December 13 - 8:23 am

  GMC = Government Motors Crap! WHere do I start, Fuel economy sucks, 2 mps less than rated, been checked out no mechanical reasons, not driver error I drive conservatively. Vehicles, people and objects disappear behind the review mirror because of the lowered roof line, I cannot clean the windshield because of the sloped design. Your seats suck, around a 1,000 miles the foam starting softer and I now feel like I am sinking in the seat, very uncomfortable, no left ffo rest, so I am sliding around when braking. Noisey peace of crap, stop klunks, bumps and thumps, hard downshifts.