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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  Running into electrical problems - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By dburch - January 25 - 9:10 am

  We have had our Envoy for about 2.5 years. We started noticing electrical issues last summer. We noticed the lights dimming and blinking and one day completely dead, just a click. They towed it in and replaced the battery. We still had the blinking lights and eventually replaced the alternator after initially telling it was a normal condition? All OK untill this week when it was dead again. We had noticed blinking lights a couple weeks ago, also. The dealer had it 3 days and couldnt find anything wrong. I picked it up last night and in the dealer lot the lights went dim, also this morning. We love the way it rides but reliability? Dealer admitted theyve had lots of problems with these.

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  Finally See the Light - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Yuckon Owner - January 7 - 1:40 pm

  Longtime Honda/Toyota/Nissan car guy with 3 kids. Needed a large SUV with large cargo area and this was/is the only choice so took a chance.

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  Dont buy one of these - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By sponzo - December 16 - 10:19 pm

  I have owned this car for four years and have had numerous electrical problems that were never solved, even by certified GMC dealer service shops. The transmission went at 72,000 miles, ending up in pieces in the oil pan. It has run rough after the 100K mile mark, a few times spewing transmission fluid all over the engine and causing it to smoke. The last time I took it for a drive, the engine spontaneously caught fire while I was driving. I pulled over and watched the entire SUV be overtaken in flames, including the interior and all personal belongings inside. Nothing was salvagable. The car had only 125K miles.

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  2002 Sonoma 4wd Ext. cab OK but w/caveat - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By Kent Bryant - December 1 - 3:31 pm

  I have no idea if they made the shell flimsier or not with this year model, but I had two previous Sonomas which did not receive anywhere near the small body dents. Also, the older models actually had better accessories than this new one such as rear defrost and sun visor mirrors. Also, the 4WD switching buttons on the inside console predictable failed at my 3 year ownership mark, so now I am limited to 2-wheel drive even though I own a 4WD truck. Have no idea what it will cost me to get that fixed. It was always troublesome from the beginning. Other than that, pretty reliable vehicle after 4 years.

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  Car Eating Me Out of House and Home - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By fifthavenuegirl - December 1 - 11:11 am

  This car looks really cool but I have only had it a year and it has already cost me $3000 in repair bills. It has been a nightmare and waste of my time waiting in the waiting rooms while it gets fixed. And that doesnt include the $900 for the tires I will have to replace if I keep it. Ive only had it a year and bought it with under 100k miles.

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  Big rebate did not help----over paid - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By John - November 30 - 12:10 am

  This truck has numerous quality control issues. I wish I did not take the rebate so I could take it back. I found the sticker amusing regarding the price to operate this truck per year is based gas at $1.90 a gallon. Read the little numbers on the mileage because it states "most will get between 11 to 15 per gallon". I must be part of the most crowd.

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  OFF OF THE DRAWING BOARD TOO FAST!!!!! - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By rodrickj - November 24 - 6:07 am

  When I first saw this truck it was love at first site. However, after driving it over 5000 miles, I started to hear a hum in the rear end. To make a long story short, the druck has been in the shop for a total of 3 months. The differential has been rebuilt, drive shaft replaced, rebuilt deferential taken out and brand new differential installed, driver seat had to be shimmed, and a total of 3 recalls. You would think that after all of that the problem would have been solved, WRONG, I still have a hum in my rear end and a pain in the other. It is a shame that a billion dollar company like GM wont admit that they made a screw up with at least my Sierra. I cant recommend to anyone.

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  Envoy Piston problems??? - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By newbee envoy owner - November 10 - 9:53 am

  Just a few weeks into buying an envoy, the piston cracked and the whole engine and new style of piston had to be replaced. 2 weeks in the shop already. Anyone else had this problem? Like the truck, except the cheap fake wood grain dash.

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  Money pit - 2006 GMC Yukon XL
  By jmulvihill - October 30 - 7:09 pm

  Lets start by saying I bought new and right out of the dealer it was problems. 1) Front end will not stay in alignment / 4 set of new tires with now 103,000 miles. 2) Transmission is about to go but has always been hard to shift. 3) Every thing in the cabin shakes, breaks and falls apart ( trim pieces ect. ) 4) Both A/c units have failed due to some electrical part,,,$ over $ 2000.00 to fix both. 5) Water pump out at 32,000 miles, driver & pass window regulator replaced $$$. This has cost me more in repairs than my 32 foot sail boat ! GM has ZERO customer service when it come to warranty, ZERO confidence in their product but damm I love this 12.5 mpg beast. I pack 4 kids / 2 dogs and

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  Anyone else run out of gas - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By jgcops - September 15 - 10:19 pm

  After 6 days with the truck I ran out of gas becuase the gas gauge didnt work. The dealership was very helpful until they had to pay $2500 then they said sorry you are on your own. Upon further review of S10/Sonoma web sites I see that this gas gauge problem is not just mine. My rear passenger door handle also broke after a couple of months. It does get good gas mileage for a truck, and the 4WD works excellent. Overall, this is not a bad small truck, but everytime I get in and see the low fuel light on and I know it is full, I become angry and want to get rid of it.