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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  best vehicle I ever purchased - 1993 GMC Yukon
  By Joseph Costa - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck from my brother as his lease expired. This has been the best truck I ever owned. I will keep this truck till the wheels fall off, then Ill put new ones on. It is reliable even with 140,000 miles on it,only basic maintance needed so far. Thank you GMC for this terrific truck.

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  1998 envoy - 1998 GMC Envoy
  By TEX - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Was very disappointed to find it takes $700.00 to replace a headlight, you MUST replace bulb, ballast, everything. Interior molding is very cheap for this vehicle, held on with velcro, and it doesnt do a good job at all. Several pieces off, and wont stay on before 30,000 miles. Passenger seat adjuster broke right off on letting the seat back, thank goodness it was in the upright position already. Everything Ive replace on this vehicle has been high dollar. Nice, pretty, but not well designed. No wonder they didnt make this style very long.

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  Nice Vehicle / Poor Electronics - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Roger - September 16 - 12:46 pm

  We chose the Denali over the Infiniti QX56 purely because of interior space. And while the Denali has proved to be a great vehicle for toting the kids around to all their sporting events and our cross country vacations, it always seems to be in the shop. A couple recalled items and several different electronically problems (one of which is still not fixed) have caused several headaches trying to schedule time to get the items fixed. The service and dealer folks have been very friendly and pleasant to work with but Im very close to trading it in for a QX56

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  STay Away - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Turd - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Replaced 4 sets of wheel bearings to date. Ride is terrible on gravel and bumpy roads.

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  Great truck for the price - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By Josh_ - September 15 - 2:00 am

  The first year of the new body style, I fianlly traded mine in on the last year or the same body style (2003). My 1994 GMC Sonoma 4x4 had 211,000 miles on it at the time. Only major repair was a new alternator at 160,000miles. Blue Book on these is very underrated.

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  2003 GMC Sonoma ZR2 - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Josh_ - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Great ride for an off-road spec truck. The truck is available with 31" tires, yet handles great in town or on the highway. Lots of features and accessories are available from GMC and the aftermarket. 250ft/lbs of torque means you can pull just about anything.

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  Great Small Package - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By bobtommich - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Great gas mileage. Roomy interior. Love the 2 tone color of black and blue. Interior has everything in the right places. Ive got 123k and have no leaks. Wish it had a CD player and a back sliding window. Signs of head gasket leak but ok now, cause using high mileage oil. Had to replace mirrors on drivers side 3 times and passanger twice due to vibration. Also replaced back window because of rain water leakage after warranty. Thumbs up to Gmc service. They even replaced the mirrors after warranty. Signs of rust at the lower side below extended cab window on both the passanger and drivers side. Very easy to work on. Had to replace the starter once.

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  GMC Envoy - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Michael - Denver - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I love this SUV. THe only probelm that I have had, and it does concern me, is that the vehicle has already been in the shop twice in the short time I have owned it to repair a pressure value on the air conditioning unit. Outside of that, I am very happy with my new Envoy.

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  gmc safari - 1999 GMC Safari
  By apm/ld - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Practical, economical, and durable vehicle that is good at towing and comfortable for carrying lots of people. Ride improved alot with new shocks. Design is somewhat dated, but very utilitarian. I like it.

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  Excellent Truck - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Joann OToole - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I am so happy with my Yukon. I was undecided between the Sequoia and the Yukon and I know I made the right choice. The ride is very smooth and non truck like and the performance has been excellent. I dont know why people rate the interior design so low because I think its very nice. Much nicer than the cheep looking brown paneling in the Sequoia. I just cannot say enough about my Yukon. I always purchase foreign and decided to give an american vehicle a try and I am so glad I did because its an excellent truck!