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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  GMC be ashamed - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By RONL - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle came out in about 1995. It had problems with handles breaking off and very bad front ends. At 60000 miles I had to put $2500 in the front end. Both wheel bearings gone and the bearing are in a housing that requires the replacement of the whole housing. GMC knew about the problems and instead of improving the design over the years, just ignored the problems and allowed us to keep paying to keep this junk running.

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  Put the vehicle down and back away - 1996 GMC Sonoma
  By buy japanese - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Wow, Where do I start. I purchased this truck new with only 8 miles on it. I have had nothing but problems. I will just make a list. 2 Head gaskets replaced and now this one is leaking. 12,000m 38,000m. three wiper motors replaced 28,000m. one starter replaced 25,000m. Two clutches and all related parts, throwout, slave,etc. 40,000m 75,000. three sets of universal joints 50,000 80,000 102,000m. Fuel pump went out 80,000m. Had to go back to dealer to have several squeaks/rattles fixed. Lumbar adjustment broke second time I used it. Drivers side mirror broke. Cupholder came apart. Both door speakers quit working.

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  Junk - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By Robt - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Never again...This is the worst vehicle Ive ever owned (with the exception of a 77 Dodge power wagon) as far as reliability goes. Mine has a lot of miles but they are all highway and I have serviced it regualary. Shortly after warranty expired I had to put a $750.00 fuel pump on it, now theres either a wheel bearing or differential going out and howling like a banchee, the transmission is giving me troubles. The interior quality is awful, the steering wheel looks like it has leprosy, the power windows make noise and sound like they are falling out. In brief....Ill never buy another GM product as long as I live.

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  Not hAPPY - 1997 GMC Yukon
  By Vsb58 - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this vehicle 18 months, and have had nothing but problems some normal, some unusual. Door handle broke, would only open from outside, I never had this happen on old old vehicles. Had to replace door handle and lock. Fuel pump had to be replaced, radiator had hole and to be replaced. Had 1 bad fuel injector had to be replaced. Thats only some of my problems, the cost....not cheap.

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  Peice of Junk - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By thewolfdog - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car was nothing but trouble. I was lucky enough to purchase a warrenty when my trans. went out at 50k. Here is a rundown of the problems.. and this is NOT exxagerated. - Trans. Shot -A/C compressor- goobye - Starter (twice) Electrical problems fuel pump -A/C compressor- Goodbye AGAIN cooling fan- cya head gasket- BLOWN PEICE OF CRAP GMC

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  lemon - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By mike gas - March 10 - 2:00 am

  So far my truck has been in the shop a total of 14 times. 2xs for bad transfer cases and 4xs for the mirror memory mod.Very unhappy with the truck and with GMC because they are not standing behind their prod. I also had a faulty seal on the windshield and a kinked gas line. There has also been other problems and the list goes on and on. I just wish GMC would do the right thing which their not beause I have made repeated calls to cust. service and have received no response.

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  Hunk O Junk - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By RobertLNM - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Name it it has gone wrong - car has 3,000 miles on it and in the shop about 3,000 hours. Great looking SUV - great power - typical substandard GM quality. Transmission gone, computer went out twice, mount brackets fell off

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  Nice Try - but...... - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Lemon - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Tranny is alreay shot - 3,000 miles on SUV - stalls, lot of money of plastic

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  What happened to the giant G.M.? - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Rodgersbuck - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been a G.M. owner all my life but this vehicle has made me switch! I noticed a ticking sound coming from the engine right after I bought it. I was told it was "piston slap" by the dealer. After almost two years of waiting for G.M. to figure out a fix to the problem, Im now being told they arent going to fix it- that this condition is normal. It appears the problem is too costly for G.M. to fix so they are just going to ignore it!

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  Im not sure about this one... - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By ZeeGee - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I really wanted to like this truck. The size was right, I liked the I-6 engine config and it seemed as though GM had turned the corner on the quality and design of their products...but it appears they havent. Get the car up to speed (btw, it seemed as if it had 170hp not 270) make a pseudo evasive maneuver and the Envoy falls all over itself, it actually swam side to side when I test drove it! Far worse than the larger Tahoe or Suburban in fact. The brakes are mushy and the small 2nd row seats giggles like a kids amusement toy. The salesman told me they were really discounting this car and now I know why. Too bad.