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:

• 

  GMC Jimmy 1997 is a lemon - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By thomasr7 - August 2 - 2:00 am

  All ball joints had to be replaced at 40,000 miles , the traxaxle (I believe that is what it was-used price $1000.00 for this part at 40,000 miles).abs brake sensor, harness and gasket for automatic transmission rusty coolant replace-replaced radiator, transmission dispstick and tube faulty caused rust in transmission, engine oil cooler lines leaking and replaced oil cooler hose from filter to radiator. Now transmission has slipping torque converter and needs rebuilt-$1600 and leaking to just about every where on the front end along with rear diff seal, transmission lines, pinion seal, power steering lines, left axel, coolant lines, and a bad belt tensioner.

• 

  2016 GMC Denali Crew Cab 6.2 - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Chad Hunt - July 27 - 7:09 pm

  Just bought this truck last month and have been to the dealer three times for repair. First repair was changing 3 of the 4 tires due to excessive road force, the truck would jiggle very bad at 70mph. Second dealer visit the truck heater does not turn off, the dealer told me this is a common characteristic of this truck, no fix but the did tell me to leave the air on at all time I will get less gas mileage but it wont be so hot in the cab, Nice? Third Dealer visit was not big deal but come to find out GMC intellilink does not support iphone6. Basically I get a phone call it will shut off nav, radio, etc. and not return. I have to manually turn power back on to device. The most frustrating is randomly it will our of the blue start playing my phones music even if my daughter is watching a cartoon in back, music will just turn on from no where. Pretty nice experience thus far for a $62000 truck.

• 

  Drive Train Woes - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Tim Powers - July 25 - 2:00 am

  All front 4x4 components replaced prior to 36,000 miles due to loud roar from differential & axles (thankfully under factory warranty). Test drove an identical Jimmy that had the same front 4x4 problems (yet GMC states that it is not a widespread problem with the model). Alternator replaced at 55,000. Transmission rebuilt at 63,000 - 7 electronic components and 3 major gear components failed (I do no heavy towing). 4x4 switch failed prior to 40,000. Impossible to keep front end aligned which results in expensive reallignments and premature tire wear.

• 

  Windy! - 1998 GMC Savana
  By tfw3 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I paid close to 35K for an Exployer conversion. Great looking interior. However the ride is only fair and @ highway speed there is so much wind noise it is hard to hold a conversation

• 

  Wouldnt get another GMC - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Julie1 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst vehicle Ive ever had. In 15 mos of ownership its gotten 2 new sunroof switches, a new sunroof, a new clock, new radio, new controls in console for rear seat passengers, and has been in for several electrical probs. The dealership has been very accommodating and certainly embarassed. I spoke with the area rep who made it out to be my fault and said these problems could occur in any make of vehicle. Ive owned lots of different makes and have never had this many problems. Im just waiting for the next thing to go wrong.

• 

  Dont buy it!!! - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By kempc - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought an SLT from my mother at what I thought was a steal of a price. She was the only owner and believes in keeping a car well maintained. I got the car just below trade in value. Within 2 months of ownership, I replaced the transmission (60k miles) and the AC compressor. Not long after, I replaced the water pump, the alternator, and the battery twice. I am now considering buying a Car with 171,000 miles to replace it. The car is unreliable.

• 

  dont really want to part with it... - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By michael little - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought it brand new with 450mi on it, at about $14,500. I religiously have and continue to make the mechanics of the truck running smoothly, using only top of the line grade fluids, filters, plugs, etc. There was a head gasket leak about 3-4 years ago, and had to be completely re-worked, but has had no problems since...in fact, the engine runs like 50,000mi and has recently had a serp. belt replaced. There are minor faults such as the integrity of the body, some of which was fixed(rust), but only by the dealer.Ive never seen an accident(even minor)with this truck, and has proven good in the snowy weather(up to 2-3 feet).

• 

  GMC 1500 Lemon - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By SC - June 19 - 10:43 am

  The truck ran and performed fine up to the point to where I had about 8000 miles on it. After that, engine knocks, transmission slips, steering problems, brake problems, gas mileage dropped, tires were wearing funny, brake light electrical problems all surfaced. Maintenance shop was cluless on fixing problems and didnt know how to fix anything. I was accused of 4 wheeling the truck when I have never even had it off road. Then I was told that the steering problems, brake problems, and tire problems were not covered under warranty past 1500 miles. Worst truck I have ever owned and Ill never own another.

• 

  Not a happy GMC owner - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By silverct - June 13 - 5:38 pm

  Bottom line, if you want to see where you are going, dont buy this truck. This is my third GMC, and it is becoming a bigger disappointment every day. I have pictures to post if I could figure out how to do it.. ps... my ride is an SLE 5.3 double cab... that model is not listed in the choices above

• 

  2001 HONEST REVIEW - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By alex1si - June 3 - 2:00 am

  .Since Ive had the car it has been to the Service dept 3 times in 14000 miles. The first visit was for the service engine light being on since 5 min out of the lot. The second visit was for the same thing a day after it was supposed to be fixed. The third visit was for a brake light recall and rear washer/wiper (washer did not work), speakers sound funny especially for Bose, and cd changer not turnung on, and last the security light coming on while car is running. All were fixed under warranty, but I had to rent a car. Also high depreciation.