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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  If you get one its for the long haul - 2000 GMC Savana
  By escs4 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Pros: Great Horsepower, and durability. The van had been in 3 fenderbenders and only had scratches. Great for bad weather and loads. Dont get is confused with a 1/2 ton capacity van. Cons: very thin window glass, bad sound proofing, hollow doors other than front doors. Engine pings (the owners manual says its OK if it does, but anyone that knows engines knows thats a load of crap, especially for a engine that only has 24000 miles. Sensitive to roll and yaw when loaded down (high center of gravity).

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  Not too impressed - 1995 GMC Suburban
  By Sub Driver - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car with 115,000 miles on it. Alternator replaced, brakes replaced, Pitman arm replaced, idle arm replaced($550), AC compressor worn out ($950), T.P.S replaced, many lights out, Asside from poor quality, we love the ride and feel of the car. Others we have had have gone well into the 100,000s mile mark before needing so much maintenance.

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  Great Idea, built on a Friday - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Moquin - November 8 - 2:00 am

  We have had a lot of problems with this vehicle. From the windows getting scratched from opening and closing them to the power mirrors not going into place or moving on their own. The rear passenger window had to be fixed/would not open. The hatchback handle has been replaced. The rear end differential ruptured and needed to be replaced.

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  Nice looks, but quite a step backwards... - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By csviper - November 6 - 3:10 am

  Just purchased my new 2014 GMC Sierra with all the bells and whistles just a step below a Denali and wow, this thing looks nice, but really it is very similar to a truck I had many years ago. There are a few pieces of technology that are a nice upgrade (when they work), but they also skimped on some of the basics. As shown below some of the items that were standard items years ago are not even options today. The iPhone USB interface is hit or miss with IOS 8.0.2. Sometimes when making/receiving calls you get hand free, sometimes you have to use the phone itself. Also the heads up display is just a red flashing light, no information shown. Maybe next year...

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  So Sorry I Bought It - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By GotAHonda - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Eight trips to the dealership for repeated repairs including wheel bearings, pinion seals, electrical, ignition switch, brakes, the list is endless. Finally took a beating and traded it in (with 3 more problems) for a Honda CRV and what a world of difference. I am sorry I every bought the Jimmy (an expensive lesson). Very poor quality.

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  junk-! - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By savage59 - October 30 - 2:00 am

  more problems then its worth. blown master cynder bad brakes, o2 sensor and erg senser blown CATALIC CONVERTER BAD . this was suppose to be a gmc top of the line suv. total junk. every week somthing new. cant wait to unload-!

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  Im So Sorry I Bought This Vehicle - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By BethPrice - October 27 - 1:00 am

  Starting at 20000 miles, my 2000 Jimmy has had nothing but problems: front wheel bearings, both sides ($450 but GMC covered this even though I was out of warrenty for one of them because this vehicle has had so many problems), ignition switch, front and rear pinion seals TWICE recurrent problem every 18000 miles or so), electrical problems. Now my brakes are making a strange creaking and groaning noise if applied with any force. Here I paid $28000 two years ago for a truck that is now worth only $12000 trade in and I cannot with good conscience sell it to a private buyer without revealing all the problems, then who in their right mind would buy it!

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  My Lemon - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By dgalliga - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I have always liked GM vehicles. Previous to this suburban I had one I purchased in 1992 that I traded on this vehicle with 165,000 miles. It was a great rig. This one however has been nothing but problems since we purchased it. 2 months after we bought it, it needed a new transmission fluid pump, to the tune of $3000. It then had a period of good working for about a year. In the last three months I have had to replace the alternator, the starter, the water pump, the battery, and just learned that I need a brand new transmission today. While the suburban has been an industry standard, I wouldnt recommend this model year.

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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!!!

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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.