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:

• 

  Ripped Off - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By JW skywalker - February 13 - 2:00 am

  It has been one problem after another. At 48k...coolant pump replaced, coolant tank replaces, door hinge replaced, observation dome lights swich bad. Quality is not there.

• 

  Suburban Heartache - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By BOCOVSO - February 5 - 2:00 am

  For what we paaid I found to interior to be on the cheap side. The controls for the windows are not in the most ideal placement. We just have not been happy with the vehicle. For the 60,000 mile service, there was $1800 of work before they started the service. Thank God for Extended Warranties. Before 60,000, I had to replace shocks and rotors. Did not have these problems with my Expedition. The only thing the Suburban has going for it is the cargo area, you have cargo space and your third row seating.

• 

  Thirsty SUV - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Spaceinvader - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Why cant GMC build a more fuel efficient engine? I only get 12 to 13 MPG in the city. Also, the truck has numorous rattles in the first three months. The dealer cant seem to fix the problem. Poor build quality for a vehicle in this price range. I will not by another GM product, unless things improve dramatically!

• 

  NICKEL AND DIME TO DEATH - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By LORA - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start, new ball joints,new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. new front stablizer bolts, c-v shaft and boot. All the above repairs still have not fixed the numerous problems and this vehicle has only 70,000 miles. I now have to replace the starter, throttle position sensor and possibly have the injectors flushed. I will be about $ 2000.00 up side down in my money pit. Do not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

• 

  NICKEL AND DIME TO DEATH - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Lora - January 15 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start, new ball joints,new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. new front stablizer bolts, c-v shaft and boot. All the above repairs still have not fixed the numerous problems and this vehicle has only 70,000 miles. I now have to replace the starter, throttle position sensor and possibly have the injectors flushed. I will be about $ 2000.00 up side down in my money pit. Do not recommend this vehicle to anyone.

• 

  Tell me its not so! - 1996 GMC Sonoma
  By Showtime - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this truck for 2 years, and for the most part it had run good. But over time, as the miles add up (118,000 now) the performance just craps out. In its prime, the truck was very very quick, and ive beaten all kinds of cars and trucks with the peppy 4.3 V6. But the transmission is dying, the A/C was dying at the end of summer, the interior has been falling apart, the truck has become a complete dissapointment.

• 

  Dream car... Nightmare repairs - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By KJ - December 29 - 2:27 am

  I LOVE this car, it was my dream car!!... But I HATE it... Transmisson replaces at 90,000 needs another at 190,000... Power steering went out 2 times... Liftgate issues (hydraulics and locking mechanism)... Sunroof LEAKS... Passanger windows stopped working at 100,000... Radio also stopped work8ng at 150,000... In general a MONEY PIT

• 

  GMC Safari - 1999 GMC Safari
  By Lyman Miller - December 29 - 2:00 am

  $800.00 to replace fuel pump at 65,000 mi. $1800 to rebuild transmission at 70,000 mi.$100.00, 3 times to clear throttle sticking condition off idle. This is my first GM product after 20+ years of Ford and Dodge. I wont buy another GM. Never had expensive problems with the other brands.

• 

  Overrated - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Rob - December 5 - 4:45 pm

  Play close attention to that quagmire of AndroidAuto. You MUST plug in your phone every time you enter and exit the vehicle if you want to use AndroidAuto. Designers should be fired.

• 

  Back to the Blue Oval for me - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Turtle316 - November 10 - 2:40 am

  My 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 is the first non Ford vehicle that I have ever purchased, and this truck alone has been enough to make me never buy a GM product again. The drivers side window stopped moving, so I took the door panel apart and the motor assembly is barely accessible and a nightmare of a design on top of that. My transmission has started to go out at only 65,000 miles and two wheel bearings went out at the same time. Not to mention that I get between 12 and 13 miles to the gallon driving in this ridiculous California traffic. One more thing, if the turning radius were any larger I would need one of those guys with the flashlights that direct the pilots when pulling into the terminal.