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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  Very Disappointed - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By foreverteach - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Terrible! Transmission, altenator, wiper motor, power window motor all went out. I am very dissapointed in this vehicle and would not recommend anyone to buy one.

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  GMC Hard to Beat - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By William henry - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely almost 3 years trouble free use, everything from pleasure driving (500 mile trips) to hauling hay or livestock. Never a wimper, never a miss. Pull a 4,000 pound tractor plus implements and trailer and you never know you have anything in tow using the tow mode. Will surely buy another.

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  Didnt meet expectations - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By DenaliOwner - March 1 - 2:00 am

  We had problems right after we drove the car off the lot. The windshield was leaking, causing a loud noise while on the freeway, which the dealer fixed. We also have the clanging noise in the exhaust that can be heard a block away. GM is aware of the problem but not willing to fix it. After much wrestling and complaining and almost going to a lawyer, the dealership agreed to replace the muffler system at a local repair shop in order to fix the problem. We bought the extended warranty, which originally they said would NOT cover fixing the loud clanging in the exhaust.

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  I love my denali - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By connied - March 1 - 2:00 am

  We bought an 03 gmc denali in december and got 0% financing. I love the navigation system and xm satalite radio. My husband is almost a foot taller than me and the seat and mirrors adjust to my setting when I push the remote.

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  Good Truck So Far - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By aclark - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any real problems from it so far. Purchased 9/28/03. I have taken it in because the service 4wd light kept coming on & turn signal freezing. Outside of those 2 things its worked fine. Youd also expect a car thats $33k+ to come with more standard features ie lighted vanity mirrors& a light in the glove box. Also, gas mileage wasnt a shock to me because my Grand Prix GT cost about the same to fill up. All around its a nice truck and I get many compliments. I love the 4wd in the snow. Its very responsive to hwy acceleration. I may try another when my lease is up, probably the SLT XL model unless Buick offers a bigger Rainier.

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Massive Mike - March 1 - 2:00 am

  e have only had this vehicle for one week, but I love it. We opted for the GMC over the Chevy Silverado based on appearance. The GMC looks like a truck. It is incredibly fast (5.3 litre V-8) for a 4 wheel drive truck. It is comfortable and the ride and handling are very nice. This truck is fun to drive. So far so good. We love it!

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  Happy with suv angry with dealer - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By AECHEZ - February 29 - 2:00 am

  This is the best suv I have ever had I have had it for a year and my first problem occured this month with a thumping in the front end when I hit minor road bumps.Unfortunetly I am not happy with CERAMI PONTIAC in New Jersey with their service dept.I buy a $34,000 suv and I couldnt even get a loaner from the dealership for the day go figure they rather lose someones business than give them a $30,00 dollar loaner.Anyway I reccomend the suv but I dont reccomend Cerami Pontiac in NEW JERSEY.

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  Excellent Truck - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Mrgreen - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, performance and getting 20+ mpg in mixed driving. This truck is heads above my Sonoma and much more solid than the Dakota I drove. Room for wife, daughter and all our gear. Quiet smooth cruising.

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  I learned to drive in this thing! - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By maiden87 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The Jimmy runs and idles smoothly. When in a fender-bender, the Jimmy was driven away with nothing more than a bent exhaust pipe and a dent and scratch about three inches in diameter on its back bumper while the other vehicle was basically totaled the owner was not able to drive away. The only real problems I’ve ever had were that the microchip which controls things like the windshield wipers burns out rather easily, and the transmission recently had to be replaced completely.

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  just right - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By bochev - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Very solid, well built and functional vehicle. Smooth and refined engine even without the overhead cams and the extra valves. Has more than enough power to haul the whole family + guests to the ski slopes. Better than expected fuel economy for this kind of vehicle. I was impressed by the quiet and rattle free interior and the overall build quality, especially considering the experience we had with our 2001 RAV4 (a rattle in the dashbord since day 1, cargo area panel falling off, warped plastic mouldings on the doors and warped brake rotors in just first 3 months of ownership)