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:

• 

  Nice Drive but.......... - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Seadog - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Since purchasing our 2002 Envoy over 14 months ago, I would say it has been a pleasure to drive.The only thing I dont really care for is the computer controls on the steering wheel. BUT, the quality and break downs have been more than one would expect. I have had my Envoy in the dealership to replace the following failed items. 1. Rear air suspension 2. Front bumper brackets 3. Memory module for seats and mirrors 4. 4 wheel drive module 5. Horn I am still waiting for some more parts to come in for some of these repairs. I plan to sell or trade in my Envoy as soon as these are fixed.

• 

  A true lemon - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By Dave Simons - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Lucky me I took out extended warranty on this vehicle. Except for the transmission and front end almost this whole vehicle has been replaced. Just recently a hose disconnected leading from the oil pan to the cooler, emptying the engine oil in 45 seconds ruining the engine!!! What a poor design, and a huge repair bil. AVOID THIS VEHICLE!!!

• 

  DENALI 2002 - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By reb5346 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  GOOD LOOKS POOR FIT ON ASSEMBLY. 13MPG TERRIBLE IN SNOW WILL DONUT ON YOU IN A HEARTBEAT. PENTY OF POWER GOOD SOUND SYSTEM BOSE. TRANSMISSION NEEDS ATTENTION. REAR WIPER JUMPS EVERY TIME YOU DIM HEADLIGHTS OR USE TURN SIGNAL. ENGINE RATTLES ON COLD TAKEOFF DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. SOUNDS LIKE A ROD COMING OUT.

• 

  creampuff sonoma - 1996 GMC Sonoma
  By majorgeneral - January 15 - 2:00 am

  An okay little truck that has served me well. Bought to replace my 81 Silverado. I like the economy and handling or the 4.3 vortec. The auto trans was ruined by a bad torque converter at only 73k pampered miles, too young for that kind of failure and forever ruined my long relationship with GMC. Brakes routinely fail when spindles get wet, owing to crackpot abs system that I despise. Too many relays and such that makes trouble shooting for the shade-tree mechanic impossible. Next truck will be a seventies vintage something, but definitely not GM.

• 

  What Gives - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By samo - January 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2002 GMC Envoy SLT in 11/2002. It has made over 12 visits to my local dealer in a year. My memory mirrors, never remember. My seat tried to kill me by going fully forward while I was driving. There is a constant squeak coming form the dash, exterior temperature sensor broke, rear wiper and defroster broke, I could go on. I will never, give another GM car a chance to make me bitter. $35,000 and it cant stay out of the shop for 30 days. Also, what gives with the horrible road holding performance? This thing handles like a wet pig. Honestly, I fully regret purchasing this automobile, and will probably not own it for much longer.

• 

  Wasted Money - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By ed smithle - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This suv is a waste of money. I haved nothing but problems. Buying GMC, I thought I was better off than Chevy. That was a lie. All I bought was a expensive hunk of junk. From pins in the door squeaking to terrible gas mileage and Gmc customer service and dealerships that give poor service to you. In summary look at something different. Ive owned this suv for two years and want everyone not to have the same problems as me. I diffinately would recommend something else.

• 

  big mistake - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By eggplante - January 5 - 2:00 am

  gas hog, rough ride, cant fit anything in it. lost value quickly. not a good buy for us!

• 

  Good truck - 1995 GMC Yukon
  By brockketcher - January 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought my yukon with 50,000 miles. It has a diesel engine. I now have 150,000 + miles, with exception of about $3000 in up keep (seals, idler arms, etc...) I have not had many problems.

• 

  Long term Update - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By qzationsa - December 26 - 6:14 am

  I wrote the review "looks good, drives poor" Here an update with 4000 miles. The truck has continued to be a disappointment. I had to replace bolt rear shocks due to leaks. The drives seat broke, twice. Im not a huge guy about 160 lbs and the seat keeps breaking. Drivability of this truck is poor, shifts are still very questionable both upshifts and down shifts. On a recent 650 mile highway drive, the truck shifted quite a bit on cruse at 74 mph. Average mpg on trip 17.3 Awful. MPG has declined and I average about 14.8. Compared to my 07 5.3 Silverado its about 3 mpg less. Maybe I got a bad one, but how many bad ones are out

• 

  bignfun suv - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By monkeybleu - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my yukon xl to haul myself and dogs to dog shows. Not only was it great for this, but a comfortable car for local driving. It is very convenient that you can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in the back of the vehicle with the third seat removed and the second row folded down. Love the heated leather seats in the winter. The vehicle has needed a few repairs that no preventative maintenence could have avoided. Other than the reliability issue, its a great car.