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:

• 

  ok... - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By er - April 7 - 2:00 am

  wow this vehicle had the horsepower of a yukon and the size of a honda it was great and fantastic i coulndt believe this vehicles preformence but i think the milege is horrible

• 

  GMC Envoy - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By sweigand - April 6 - 3:00 am

  The 2003 GMC Envoy is an insuperior product and value in comparison to the competition. The engine has large amounts of vibrations that come through the foot pedals and give your feet a tingling sensation. GMC claims this to fall within specification on the Envoy and cannot eliminate the vibration. The fit and finish on the vehicle is also poor. The average MPG I have been getting with the truck is 14 to 15 MPG which GMC also claims to be within specification. I would highly recommend checking out alternatives to the GMC Envoy when purchasing this class of vehicle.

• 

  1998 GMC Jimmy - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By HarP - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Powerful truck with fair gas mileage. However, if you plan on making repair yourself get a different truck. This thing is impossible to work on. As with a lot of American cars, the equipment is STUFFED in. Took 4 hours to replace a leaking oil line. Also very querky. Airbag light is on, dealer could not find a problem. Windshield wipers sometimes work other times dont.

• 

  If you like playing CDs dont buy an a new Acadia - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Will - April 1 - 6:46 am

  $1,000 dollar option on the radio, 8 inch screen and Bose Sound System, but does not have a "CD Player, what a disappointment

• 

  Buyer Beware! - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By Disappointed Owner! - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I spent over $40,000 for this truck and have had MANY problems which have not been fixed. Here is a list of the problems...the fuel pump screams which it did not do when new and dealer trys to claim that it is normal, has major electrical problems which the dealers would do quick fixes that would last a month or so and then the original problems would return, The truck cuts out like it is going to die at a stop and then after a few seconds of pressing accelerator it kicks/jumps back in, both running lamps and brake lights had to be replaced, window motors went out plus much much more. Now surprise surprise, no more warranty! Buyer beware!

• 

  What Else Can Go Wrong? - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By BobbyBond2 - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I first thought this vehicle was a "great" deal. Soon to find out, I was completely wrong. Initial mileage at purchase was 26K. Heres the breakdown of the breakdowns in less than 1.5 years. 4x4 Vacuum Pump - (Under Man. Warranty) Approx Cost - $350.00 Driver Side Wheel Bearing @ 29K - $250.00 Passenger Side Wheel Bearing @ 31K - $250.00 Rear Brakes Bad @ 38K- $150.00 Rear Windshield Wiper Bad 40K - $150.00 Door Hinges (Poor Design=Water in hinges)38K- $30.00 Climate Control Board 45K - $350/part $100/Labor Just found out about "the Pitman Arm/Idler Arm" problem today 46K - $350.00 You be the judge.........

• 

  Hansome SUV - but dissapointed - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By For Sale - Cheap - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, peppy, roomy, turns heads - it was everything I was looking for - sounded perfect. WRONG its the biggest lemon I have ever purchased - dealership cant find whats wrong - electical issues to computer malfunctions - has been replaced, and replaced and replaced - no fix in site. It looks pretty sitting in thier garage.

• 

  GMC Dealerships are the worst - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Devine1 - March 6 - 2:00 am

  My only comment is that you better hope you get one with 0 problems because the dealerships are the worst. I have a Yukon XL and a GMC Sierra and I like the design and power of both vehicles for towing/etc. But, every time something has gone wrong, the dealer cant or wont fix it without a fight. I have honestly bought my last GM car after a lifetime of owning them.

• 

  Nice Ride Albeit Thirsty - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By rbruce - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Some rattles, the doors move in their openings, fuel efficiency is dropping fairly from 7.88 kilometers per liter when bought to 6.54 kpl today. A/C repair was costly and the compressor is still making noices. Right turn signal gets stuck. The under carriage is not protected and vital components are low.

• 

  2nd GM truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jonathan - January 29 - 4:06 am

  I started with a 99 Chevy Z71 that I drove 200k miles and beyond its last leg so I traded it in for this GMC Crew 2WD with the 5.3 L. I was disappointed with the extended travel in the front suspension and huge turn radius. Its great on long trips for comfort, but gas mileage averages around 14 in the city and 16 on the highway. It feels real solid until you tow ANYTHING more than 500 #s, it struggles over 55 mph with shifting a lot, due to lack of torque. The steering pops and clunks like my 99 did, the same for the rear-end chirp on start/stops. Bad design still being used from 99, thats just annoying. I like the comfort and prefer cloth over leather on long trips and in hot Texas.