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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  Bad Experience! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By vargalu - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Nothing but problems with vehicle. Bad towing capability. Noisy (valve clatter) on cold mornings, sounds like a diesel. Transmision went out at 50000 miles. Front axle bearing went out at 20,000 miles. Enough problems. Im trading in for anything but a GM product!

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  Great purchase - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By FL Buyer - July 15 - 8:50 pm

  This truck rides and looks great! Its been nothing but a pleasure since I purchased it 2 mos ago and I would go back tomorrow and do it all over again. I have three friends that own Escalades and they love my truck especially for $10K less because it drives and looks identical. My other cars are a BMW 750 LI and a BMW 545, but we like driving the truck. Gas mileage is averaging about 14 MPG, but my 7 Series gets only about 20 MPG and the 5 Series gets 18 MPG (both premium) and this truck runs on mid- grade! Go get a good deal on one today!

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  Good and Bad - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Ray - July 14 - 9:39 pm

  I have enjoyed a lot about this car. I got it Jan of 2007 and it has been in the shop 2 or 3 times totaling about $2000. Its fun to drive and looks great but has broken down on me enough that I am now shopping for something else. The first repair was $1000 to reprogram the computer something or other. Then the battery died. The rubber around the doors has almost all fallen off, the power seat control panel just fell of the other day, and the cd player does not work. All sorts of check lights go on and off in the dash all the time and I still cant figure out how to work all the lighting! Like I said, pretty car and fun to have! And not all bad but personally not worth the monthly note!

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  Multiple mechanical problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By ddoan - July 14 - 1:30 pm

  I researched this vehicle for several months before making the purchase. In the 1 yr that I have owned the vehicle it has been in the shop multiple times for various reasons. The first 3 times was because the passenger side floor board was flooded because the drain from the sunroof was not installed and when my dealer did install it it was done incorrectly. Then carpet had to be replaced. Transmission in the vehicle is not what it should be. I had the software update, but car continues to shift up and down with little regard to terrain Now it is in the shop related to what they say are body seam cracks. I love this car, the way it rides, the looks, and the interior comfort.

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  Great little truck for 11 years - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Jeff A. - July 12 - 4:32 pm

  Ive enjoyed my 11 years with this truck. Its still going strong with only 61k on it, but Im going to sell it to an employee who needs vehicle and so I can upgrade. Pros: Smooth ride, good handling, nice cab design, lots of room in the ext cab, decent bed room. Cons: The 4 banger could use a bit more power for hiway conditions. Side mirrors are known to fall off by breathing on them (2 times for me). Stock sound system is pretty bad, but easy to upgrade. Repairs: Easy to work on. In 11 years Ive replaced 2 batteries, the a/c compressor, EGR sensor, fan clutch, plus normal wear items like brake pads, drive belt, etc.

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  Miles per gallon - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By patty - July 12 - 8:50 am

  My Sonoma never even got 19 on a good day. It only gets 17 on the highway. I drive 50 miles round trip highway miles to work every day. I have had it for 6 months and I have to sell it because of the poor mpg.

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  great performance - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By hobackj - July 11 - 8:36 am

  I just recently purchased a 2002 GMC 2500hd Duramax diesel. It is a very dependable truck. It will pull any trailer that I need it to pull and if it doesn’t, a power chip can always be added for increase in horsepower and torque. This year and newer comes with the either a 6-speed or the automatic Allison transmission, both are great for pulling or just for driving, depending on what the owner mainly does with it. Without a chip this truck can get up to 18mph which is pretty good for a ¾ ton truck. Along with performing good this truck is also roomy with either the extended cab 4 door or the full 4 door versions. Another good thing about a diesel is that if they are taken care of they can ru

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  A good SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By jbmiller - July 7 - 3:00 pm

  I was leery of the I6 but it performs well at 275 hp. Gas miles are good for a vehicle of this size. If youve never had a information center option-get it, its great. Controls mirrors, seats, lights, headlights, tilt down rear view mirror, etc. Mine has leather but its not necessary. All in all the only problem I had was a bad temp sender for the driver/pass ac control. They fixed for no charge. Ive had a good experience with this vehicle.

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  Is it just me? - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By greg rosengren - July 4 - 2:55 pm

  Love the car/truck, nicest car Ive ever owned. At 58,000 miles Ive had to replace both the transmission and the motor. I didnt bother to get the extended warranty because of my false belief that I was buying a quality product that would last. GM has graciously picked up half the transmission cost ($1600) and all but $1650 of the new motor job. I have put 4000 dollars in repair costs into this car in the last 2 months. Not at all happy about this. Love the vehicle..just bummed out about the problems...will probably go foreign next time..Benz or BMW

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  Love it (for the most part) - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Philip - July 1 - 8:39 pm

  Excellent ride and plenty of room. Have all electronic features except back-up camera, and find them all useful. Major complaint is the number of bugs that had to be worked out on the 2007 model. Average mpg is around 20 with significant highway driving. Cannot drive above 40 with rear windows down - vibrations feel like car is going to shake apart. Major flaw in otherwise great sound system is that it has only a single-CD/DVD player