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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  Love the style & power, like the rest. - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Armdogs - October 14 - 8:30 pm

  I love the exterior styling of this vehicle and the actual driving experience. After 16 months, still love the low rumble of the engine, the power and the smooth ride. Also pleased with the space for both passengers and cargo. Most complaints are minor design flaws noted by other owners. Front console needs compartments, 2nd row needs under-seat storage, 3rd row should fold flatter, remove easier. Main complaint is the brake dust rusting on the sides of the vehicle behind the wheel wells!

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  Sweet Car - 1992 GMC Typhoon
  By Ryan111 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Very fast, powerful, rare vehicle. Coolest looking car Ive owned and deceiving extremely quick acceleratio

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  Love/ Hate - 1997 GMC Safari
  By Ed Slaney - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We have a love /hate relationship with this vehicle. It is great to drive,easy for shopping etc. Comfortable on long trips. We have replaced 3 window motors,1 seat motor,an alternator,a very expensive fuel pump,a wiper circuit board and other various items some under warrenty some not. Before the fuel pump went I complained to GMC and they offered me an 8 hundre $ cert. towards a new GMC product good for 1 yr. The pump went shortley after and the fix wiped out the cert. Yesterday the blower moter switch would only work on high.

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  2002 gmc 1500 4x2 sle - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By will160 - October 13 - 7:03 pm

  come on GM this is 2002!dated interiors,cheap feeling parts,ergonomically is only o.k.,my last 5 trucks were fords,it was time for a change,giving gmc another chance,but 20 yrs.later i still feel some reslembence to long ago!i need to sell my 97 ford f150 lariat asap! so i can stop comparing the gmc 1500 sle to it. new f-150 for 2004?,cant wait!

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  Love this SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By miltonw - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Envoy in October. I got a great deal on it and even used my GM Visa credits ($1,750) additional discount. I LOVE this SUV. Its quiet, smooth and handles great! Only thing I dont like is the gas mileage. My short mileage trip to work nets me about 13+ MPG, but its rated at 16 in the city.

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  Intellink made me hate this car. - 2016 GMC Acadia
  By Michele Button - October 12 - 5:59 am

  Selling this car after only six months. Intellink is slow, gets stuck, lacks information and just plain doesnt work. Forget NAV, itll take you to random places. Pandora and Stitcher are slow to load and drop out of the blue at some point 100% of the time. Second row Captains chairs are comfy but waste a huge amount of space when packing the car.

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  1996 GMC Jimmy SLS - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By Willow Valley - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Jimmy used.The only thing that went wrong with it was the VCM Module,it was giving me false readings like service engine soon lite would come on.I bought it with 84000 miles and paid 8999.this vehicle is in mint condition.

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  Utility with Flair - 2000 GMC Sonoma
  By TheCarGonzo - October 12 - 2:00 am

  A nice solid truck, no real problems since purchase (although it has very low miles). Interior is simple and inexpensive looking but everything is easy to use. ZQ-8 suspension keeps the vehicle well-controlled for a pick-up. 3/4 V-8 4.3L V-6 is no smoothness champ, but it does get the job done.

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  Love my ENVOY. - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Barbara Sarco - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I have 24,000 miles on my Envoy. On long trips its a dream (speaking from experience with toy. 4 runner that shook my liver out) Comfortable ride. Great exterior looks.

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  Never Again a GM - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By simba - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This was the worse vehicle I ever had in my life. To start with it had like four recalls on it. The transmission went out twice. Both times over 1500 dollars!! One time with just over 60,000 miles on it and GM would pay a penny towards it! The power brake booster also went out, that was another 500 that GM cost me. The motor that shifts the truck into four wheel drive went out too, that was another 550 that that GM touch. The fuel injector leak gas into the motor. That was another 900.00 to replace. This are just the major problems that I had with the truck. Please save your money DONT buy GM vehicles!!!