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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  Buy Buy Buy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By malibuss - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Great handleing and driving vehicle. Tows a trailer with ease and still stops great. Great performance and great build quaility. I cant wait to get a 2003 XL for the extra room.

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  Made the right choice - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Rico - October 8 - 1:06 am

  I purchased the 2wd crew cab w/ 5.3, SLE1, and 20 inch rims. Extremely pleased with purchase. Ive owned all other brands including GMC before and this is the best truck I have ever owned/driven. Debated GMC vs. Toyota for months but went with GMC due to inside/outside looks and GMC mileage better. Toyota has very nice truck but GMC hit the mark w/ this one. The 20 inch rims make the truck as far as looks concerned. Get the remote start, this is my first vehicle with remote start and now I wouldnt by another vehicle without it. I can start truck from inside restaurant and truck is nice and cool inside when I go to put kids in car seats. Im starting to feel really spoiled in this thing.

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  99 GMC SONOMA TRUCK - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By kayebee - October 6 - 2:00 am

  has fancy truck top, 5 speed transmission, pretty green color both body and matching top, tinted windows, gray interior.

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  a lot of problems after warranty expired - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By Dawn - October 5 - 2:00 am

  sincle 40,000 miles i have replaced the transmission 2 times, the air conditioning doest work and the ABS system needs to be fixed. i have had to put several thousand dollars into this already expensive vechile. buy the extended warranty.

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  GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD 6.6L - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By James Nichols - October 4 - 5:43 pm

  First off, after researching diesel trucks for over a year, it was clear that the Duramax/Allison power train was the "gold standard". I recently installed a Banks air intake, programmer, and exhaust system ($2500) and the performance is startling. Stock, average fuel economy was 16.2 (70 mph+ freeway); I hope the Banks package increases that up to 2 mpg. I stopped to watch a local, weeknight rodeo event in Paso Robles, CA and there were eventually 40+ trucks with 20-30 trailers, all diesels: 1 Chev, 3 Fords, the rest GMCs.

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  Yukon GT - 1994 GMC Yukon
  By Andres - October 4 - 2:00 am

  My Yukno has never given me any trouble. It is a great car and it looks great too. The 4-wheel drive option gives me alot of extra power. The only thing that bothers me is the low horsepower count.

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  2000 Jimmy SLE - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Our Jimmy has been a pleasure to own and drive. It is comfortable, we drove it to Maine.In 2 years we have had no repairs, just maintanence. We have driven it 45,000 miles in that time. The Jimmy is smaller than most others, but we like the size for urban driving.Iwould buy another one.

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  can you say lemon????? - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By sugarmag - October 4 - 2:00 am

  $32,000 down the drain!!!! have been working the last few weeks trying to get a buyback from GMC. this suv has been in the shop at least once a month since i bought it...all for the same problem. they can not seem to fix the problem (service engine light is on) ive drove a loaner for 8 days in 3 weeks....picked it up again today. im tired of spending at least one day a week at dealer... i spent over 32,000 on a car i expect it to work! i expect that they will know how to fix it. i would NEVER EVER buy another GMC again.

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  Reliable family truckster w lots of nickel & dimes - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By JJ Bookman - October 3 - 12:26 pm

  Engine and tranny are very reliable but the exterior trim and interior bits require a lot of fixing, typical GM. Body is still holding up well, rear deck lip is getting rusty but still looks good for a 10 year-old car. We drive the hell out of it and it has not let us down yet. Lots of DIY fixing if you are a handy man or shade-tree mechanic. Part are abundant and cheap, something else broke? ebay here I come!

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  poor gas milage - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By cabo3 - October 3 - 11:25 am

  My 2014 GMC Sierra has never got more than 15 mpg even on high way driving. Yes--its 4 wd and the 5200 motor but the door sticker claimed it would get much better. I talked to the dealer and they blame ethanol gas --poor quality gas ect and ect. I have bought gm trucks for over 50 years and this will be my last. My suggestion to anyone looking to buy GM trucks is to make the dealer fill the truck with gas and test it yourself BEFORE you buy. GM lost my business and my respect! My dad used to say there are two things men lie about --women and gas milage but this report is accurate.