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:

• 

  Somethings missing - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By oscarcat - September 15 - 7:39 pm

  Nice quiet ride, smooth shifting automatic. The good ends there. Unless you opt for the $500 power package available on upscale or special order vehicles, there is no way to unlock the passenger door from the outside. Unsafe and inconvenient. The front has 4 cup holders, but none hold a 1 liter water bottle or adjust. In the extended cab, the rear seat cup holders do hold a 1 liter water bottle. With standard upholstery the seatbacks do not recline. Seems GM could have made the tilt-forward access handle on the seatback recline as well. Unless you get an upscale model I would think before buying this vehicle due to the inconvenience factor.

• 

  Transmission/ride - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Craig - September 14 - 9:13 pm

  This truck is by far the worst riding vehicle i have ever owned. I understand it is a HD, but come on GM, youre not always towing with it 100% of the time. I cannot believe the research and development guys at GM designed it that way. The rear end bounces 60% the time when empty or partially empty. tryed changing shocks and tire pressure adjustment. helped out about 5%. The new 6 speed tranmission in my truck needs work. There is a delay in shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. This happen 10% to 20% of the time but is annoying.When the delay happens engine racing anywhere from 200 rpm to 1000 before the shift takes place.Tranmission engages harshly when shift happens. Look elsewhere.

• 

  What else could go wrong - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By done with GM - September 5 - 2:25 pm

  We bought the Jimmy so my wife could have a low cost 4wd vehicle. Its probably my fault for buying it used, but it certainly isnt low cost. After replacing the heater core ($750) ball joints twice ($200 each time) and fuel pump ($300) I can say Im nothing but disappointed in this vehicle. And as Im writing this my Jimmy is sitting idle in the garage with the fuel pump out again and the 4wd solenoid ($550) out. Having only put 15,000 miles on the car Im nothing but dissatisfied

• 

  Never Again! - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By PRM - August 29 - 11:35 am

  Quite nice to drive, when it works. Ive never had a car with more issues. 36K warranty not nearly enough. Ignition module replaced three times (once under warranty. 35K, 65K, 98K). Smoke from the steering column as your electrical fails is not fun. New engine at 70K (radiator failed, overheated and took out the head and engine). Catalytic converter replaced at 106. Passenger recline lever snapped off in passengers hand and cant be fixed (the shaft broke). The AC stopped at about 100K. I havent investigated yet. Other than that, no issues to speak of!

• 

  "The Money Pit" - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Appendix - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Problems with electrical from the beginning. "Stabili-trac" light kept coming on. Had to replace electronics for this problem. Had it towed twice, due to the "Low Power", ended up having to replace the whole Throttle System ($250.00). Aspirator just went out, another electrical problem...they want another $157.32 for that. Rearview Mirror electronics just went, they want another $529.28 just to order the replacement mirror! Seems to be a "money pit", or I ended up with the "Lemon"!!

• 

  Too expensive to fix - 1998 GMC Envoy
  By frank - August 4 - 2:21 pm

  My Envoy just burned up -- fuel leak. Previously had transmission problem (went dry), but it was covered out-of- warranty because the dealer had just serviced it, and they probably didnt fill it right or left the plug loose. Right headlight went out 3 years ago. Two part light, $375 per part but not sold seperately. Got a junk yard (only one of two in the country at the time) for $500 plus an hour of labor. GM did not help, dealer or corporate. When burned, the left headlight was out, not available in junkyards at the time. I also lost the third brakelight, costing ~$500 and not properly repaired.

• 

  Poor gas mileage/repairs under warranty? - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By Linda - August 2 - 9:34 am

  I have a roar in the engine from time to time that sounds like I have shifted to 4 WD when it is definitely in 2WD. Taken in to the dealer and he can never hear that sound. Does not do it all the time but when it does it sounds like the engine is going to come out from under the hood. Been in the shop 5x with shifting problems, shims, water in headlamp, wind noise both front doors, very poor gas mileage empty load or pulling trailor. Would not recommend this truck to anyone.Center console is too small and tight up front. backseat leg area too small. Just me and the dog and still not enough room.Bummer cruise control. Cheap, would have paid the difference for a good cruise controller.

• 

  This Truck needs help! - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ron Sanders - July 30 - 5:13 am

  Truck rides very rough. Trucks brakes are sluggish. Truck is 6 litre not great gas. Truck has had all kind of problems! If you have to stop fast you are in trouble. Thats why this truck has been in 3 fender benders. Had to replace complete rear brakes and rear seals .

• 

  iIs this a nightmare or not? - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By pat - July 15 - 1:43 pm

  I purchased this vehicle with 33,842 miles. At 36,597 the intake manifold valve had to be replaced. At 52,181 the ABS pump and master cylinder had to be replaced. The drivers back seat rest handle broke off and the mileage is horrible. It also is the noisiest vehicle I have ever driven. In essence, I have only driven this car 18,339 miles in 4 years (purchased in 2002). After reading the article in the Detroit Free Press, dated May 23, 2006, re: Dex-Cool, what might happen next??? I also got a printout of previous repairs and its 2 pages long. Ford Fusion here I come! I have been a GM customer for 40 years and have always had problems. Im DONE.

• 

  Mildly disappointed - 2017 GMC Canyon
  By Disappointed - July 8 - 6:50 am

  Pros: nice ride, get lots of complements. Cons: for a mid size truck the height of the vehicle(getting in and out) is slightly difficult(Im 511"). You have to raise your right foot 2 feet to get into the truck. The trucks rear end bumper is about 5 inches higher than the front. It sits at an angle. Level the truck off. Lower the back end about 4-5 inches. This would also lower getting in and out a couple of inches. The top of the back gate is shoulder level. Difficult getting things in and out of the back end. Had to buy a reacher like the old people use and a rake to get things out of the back end. Again, lowering the back about 4" would really help. Really disappointed, NO CD player. Everyone under the age of 30 probably has a CD collection which they cant use. I gotta think this was done to force people to buy Sirrius/XM with GM probably getting a cut. Also, the factory radio antenna adds 9 more inches. Couldnt get truck into garage. Bought after market antenna that works fine and lowered the overall height by 5-6 inches. Why not the shark fin antenna like the suburbans? If GMC would level off the truck and lower it by about 3-4 inches it would be perfect. And put the CD back in. Got a good deal. 6700 off and 0%.