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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  1995 GMC Jimmy - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By aml2brn - April 18 - 12:12 pm

  I love my Jimmy. Its the most reliable vehicle that I have owned other than my 1979 3/4 ton Chevy Cheyenne. The only issue that I have had with my Jimmy is the fuel economy. I accredit that to the fact that it is 13 years old and its been driven fairly regularly with average maintenance. I would not sell or trade my Jimmy without serious consideration, even with todays gas prices.

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  07 Sierra - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By fiftyfour - April 17 - 6:13 pm

  Love my new Sierra. Base level interior is top notch. Very smooth transmission and responsive engine. Gas mileage is poor, as expected. Very spacious interior. Looks pretty nice with my Rancho lift and 35" tires, real head turner. After 3 weeks I love it more than ever!

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  Runs like a champ - 2008 GMC Canyon
  By john232 - April 15 - 11:39 pm

  Truck has lots of power for a 4 banger. Get about 26 on the highway and 18 in the city. Smooth tranny and stoutly built medium sized truck. I recommend this truck. Four wheel anti lock brakes are standard as are cruise control. Get the auto trans you will not be dissapointed. I got the SL trim with sliding glass back window.

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  Great Truck - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By MN JoBlow - April 12 - 10:46 am

  This truck looks beautiful. All the lines look great. I previously owned an F150, which was a really good truck. As a Ford guy, I was reluctant to try a GM truck because I had never been impressed with GMs previous trucks. I have to say that I am very happy with the GMC and the new style. It is quiet on the road, and the mileage hasnt been too bad for a pickup. There is no comparing this to any of GMs old pickups. I would definitely recommend this truck.

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  Worst SUV ever - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Wyn - April 11 - 10:17 am

  This SUV was bought brand new. Not a month into driving it had to have the ball joints done. The problems just kept going from there. In total, the ball joints have been replaced 8 times. The master cylinder has been replaced 5 times. Brakes every year and rotors almost every time the brakes get done. Gas gauge sensor had to be fixed. ABS module is broken. Heater core is broken. Shocks need to be done almost every year. Multifunction switch had to be replaced. New battery about once a year. 4x4 gets stuck. There are so many things that need to be done, I dont think Ive listed nearly all of the problems. I used to think that this Jimmy just happened to be a lemon but now I know better.

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  1995 GMC Jimy Wagon SLT 4 DR 4x4 - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By JD - April 9 - 11:09 pm

  My parents bought this truck brand new and used it up to about 84,000 miles. it sat for five years till I took it over. Being that is sat for five years many of the parts are rotted out and needed to be replaced. So far Ive had to fix the ac compresor, spider fuel injector assembly, brake system including lines, catalytic converter, starter. I had a few of the parts put in but otherwise the Jimmy is pretty easy to work on yourself. I enjoy the truck and I think even for a 95 the truck looks great. My red paint has held up almost 15 years and except for the few scrathces the paint looks like new, the leather held up and litterly looks new the back seats dont even have any wear marks.

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  Good old 2004 Envoy - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Dennis - April 8 - 5:28 pm

  This has been a good experience from the get go. No problems, followed GM maintenance schedule, not dealers. It is high enough that you get good visibility, comfortable ride and interior and exterior paint have held up very good. The gas mileage could be better but it gets 20mpg on a highway trip. Not great but acceptable. Around town, rural area, it gets 17-18 mpg.

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  Not your quiet ride - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By Lynda Smith - April 2 - 3:55 pm

  I bought this SUV because I was really drawn to the style and outside appearance of the vehicle I also fell in love with the interior. I have leased Nissan vehicles in the past and my husband talked me into looking at GMC. I thought it was everything I wanted in an SUV so we purchased the SUV instead of leasing. I travel on the highway 90% of the time and I was so disappointed in the wind noise of this vehicle I knew something had to be wrong. Why would you make such a classy vehicle and forget about quality. After taking it to the dealership three time we were told nothing is wrong with the vehicle that is just the quality of GMC.

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  Good in the Beginning - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By Stacy - April 2 - 1:32 pm

  I purchased my vehicle thinking total quality. Wrong. The front interior around the steering wheel, navigation screen and CD player keep peeling and chipping away. This is something I have found to happen in older models and other GMC models. Also, I owned the car less than 2 years when the transmission had to be extensively repaired. Now GM doesnt want to replace/repair the interior plastic even though it is poor craftmanship. No more GMs for me. I will stick with Ford or some other American car.

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  Great ride and looks super! - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By RWT - April 2 - 7:04 am

  I have owned GM vehicles for 15 years now and this is by far the best I have ever had. I owned mostly 2 Chevys until this one. Looked for over 5 months and compared the Tahoe, Ford and Yukon and it was not close. The Yukon just looked and felt better. I saw the Yukon on the road and it always made me stop and look. Gas is hard, but it is for everyone right now. Only complaint I have is the folding 3rd row seat. Dont know if it is just mine but it is difficult to move and almost impossible to replace is removed. Should have looked at power seats there.