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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  gm come clean - 2000 GMC Safari
  By santa claus - September 3 - 2:00 am

  bought a 2000.early fluid problems and 57000 miles trans failed. the electronic trans has serious flaws. light weak parts destined to fail. the sun and 1870 code /lose reverse/ valves wear out. had tranny problems under warrannty and got the gm run around . the typical ,could not duplicate problem so they didnt fix nothing. now I sit with a $2000 + repair bill. lots of gm vechiles have this tranny. I am tireing of gms we have no problems additude, and as long as they get past the 36,000 mile warranty. they dont give a hoot the price of these vechicles they should LAST A LOT LONGER. john q public is getting ripped off.

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  2003EnvoySLE - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By iwanicki - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellent power, no problems since delivery.

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  Review - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Watch - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Good vehicle very reliable

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  We love our truck! - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By oly98 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  My family and I love our 99 suburban! We travel about 3k to 4k miles a year just for vacations! We have so much fun together with this "house on wheels" that no one wants to fly anymore! I spent about $700 outfitting the truck with luggage carriers to maximize the interior room! My wife even gets into driving the suburban making our trips "much shorter"! I averaged 15.22 MPG over 3,548 miles on our last trip for X-mas! That was a truck load to the gills with kids and luggage ect.! Not bad huh! We had to have a new alternator put in it around the 57K. But thats it so far! Warranty covered it! I would recommend this truck to anyone!!

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  excellent - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By DON,OREGON - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I rated this vehicle as Excellent, The disadvantage is in comfort, GMC should design the two front seats larger to accomidate larger-heaver customers, same as the seat design in the Buick Regal. They have plenty of room. Also, they should inprove the wood design and color on the dash board.

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  My Denali has been great - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By orwoody - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2001 Denali new and have driven it almost 40k miles in just over two years. It is still solid, no rattles, no breakdowns and has had excellent reliability. We love road trips in this rig.

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  02 Envoy a nice surprise - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Steve101 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  Overall a very nice vehicle. 02 Engine warranty extended to 7yr 100,000 for specific problems.

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  A workhorse that keeps on pushing! - 1994 GMC Jimmy
  By Dan Arturi - August 31 - 2:00 am

  The Jimmy I have has 121800 miles on it, and still is extremely reliable. It starts right up and gets me where I need to go. It is not the most fuel efficient vehicle ever, but it does get about 17mpg average overall. As an outside sales rep, I am on the L. A. freeways constantly, and the truck puts up with all kinds of heat and start/stop conditions gracefully. It still has plenty of power when I need it.

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  For American Tastes - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By dxcruz - August 31 - 2:00 am

  If you want something tighter and more Euro.. check out the Jeep Grand Cherokee.. It handles like a sports car with a view.. Mine still looks and feels like new with over 60k miles and flawless mechanical performance. If you want something that feels like a Lexus.. check out the Acura MDX. Its about the same price as the Envoy (before GM knocks off several grand to give it away), But will most likely hold its value for a long long time. I have no idea how Honda gets so much more out of a smaller engine!

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  Canyon lover - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Richard Kirkley - August 30 - 4:34 pm

  Pay the extra for the Canyon over the Chevy Colorado, you wont be sorry.