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:

• 

  Lots of Repairs - 1998 GMC Savana
  By NelsonVSM - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have a Glavel (AutoForm) conversion with 75,000 miles. Very nice for kids for travel and camper. Lots of problems including: new transmission (3,000 miles), new dash board cluster, broken CD, broke power attenna, new power window motors, dash replaced twice, failed water pump, failed AC, 3 batteries, brakes every 14,000 miles, etc.

• 

  Tough Service - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By GA Yukon owner - January 16 - 2:00 am

  One thing Ive learned about owning this vehicle is that its very difficult to repair. I have a strong feeling that the training manual at GMC says "if you cant hear it, nothings wrong." The computer is a little screwy on this truck as well as the overdrive system. Transmission seems to struggle in bumper to bumper traffic. Also, beware the fuel mileage. This vehicle is a gas hog but thats what you do sacrifice for the power. I would recommend the vehicle but be careful about who services it. Very up to date vehicle but not to many up to date mechanics.

• 

  Immensely Disappointed - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By 02 Envoy Owner - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Purchased loaded SLT/4WD vehicle hoping the quality of this American made SUV would finally challenge its foreign competitors.BOY WAS I WRONG!At 20,000 miles, Continual transmission problems,shifts into neutral while driving, quite unnerving experience at highway speeds,fails to shift into reverse.Dozen visits to dealer for trans alone.Heating/air cond,control modules,actuator motors,rear dif,lifter noise,seat belts,air suspension,and electronic problems.Horrendous exterior wind noise at highway speeds.Vehicle computer fails to indicate faults.If you enjoy problems,this ones for you. BMW X5 here I come !

• 

  Maybe because it was used? - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By karin - January 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought it 2 years old. Brake power compressor fails. Seat levers for tilt break- off), first the passenger side, then the driver, $750 to repair each, because of configuration. Driver door hinge bends and cracks, cant repair without major body work (thousands $$$), door doesnt shut, electronic mirrors dont work, driver side wet in hurricanes, bad rain storms. Dash board fell (scary, but easy to fix). Body integrity poor, scratches very easily. Constant minor repairs, and replacements, windshield wiper motors, batteries, starter. Often smells of gasoline. Noisy, sounds like big TRUCK. And now the driver seat squeaks (minor, I know).

• 

  This truck is too small! - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By youngblooddale - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This truck is cute, but thats about all it has going for it. There is no leg room, no arm room, put it this way, you might feel more comfortable in an airplane riding in coach. And please dont pick up a passenger, theyll hate you for it. Hopefully you dont live in a town with hills or mountains, because this little guy has no power. This is the type of vehicle you want to test drive for a few days or even rent.

• 

  Bad choice - 2001 GMC Safari
  By W.alter - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I had problems with the brakes from the start and the steel belts on the tires.The catalytic converter and muffler needed replacing after one year and at separate times.I had to take it back shortly after buying it after I noticed grease under the floormats.Had to be dealer or factory shabbyness.Poor quality control at both places.No wonder Haskins went out of business and GM is losing repeat customers.

• 

  Mirrors - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By rdawicki - December 25 - 10:00 am

  We have a 2003 YUKON XL DENALI. We cracked the drivers mirror glass. Just the glass was $265.00. The bad part is there filled with liquid that stains your paint work.I tried everything to remove it.

• 

  Professional Engineering My Foot - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By tcrock - December 22 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely the worst car I have ever owned. I have replaced transmisson, brake booster,altenator,master cylinder,A/C compressor,rear sway bar parts,front sway bar parts,radio,several plastic parts, rear main seal, still doesnt stop well brakes very mushie. Just a poorly built car most unreliable for the mileage driven. Envoy cant be much better. Would never buy another GMC SUV.

• 

  $37000 Lemon - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By witch - December 16 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle was great when it was new, but as soon as the warranty expired, many things started to fail. If you decide to make a mistake and buy a GM SUV like I did, make sure you get the extended warranty. This is the last GM vehicle I will ever purchase.

• 

  Read your manual - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By moat - December 13 - 2:00 am

  If I had read the owners manual before buying I would not own this GMC. The maintenance schedule is the one I maintained on l950 vintage vehicles. Unbelievable. The gas milage of 19-25 was more like 13.5 in the summer (4cyl. w/ac} I bought the vehicle for handicapped passenger comfort and discovered the floor is uneven on the passanger side. There is no storage space under the seats and hardly can get anything behind the seat.