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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  Pretty Satisfied - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By Mike - December 13 - 5:11 pm

  I have had an ABS/Traction Control fault problem with less than 1500 mile on it. The wheels look like they are plastic wheel coverings. Otherwise, I am very happy with the SLT package.

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  GMC Savana diesel - 1999 GMC Savana
  By Rob AMOS - December 13 - 4:06 pm

  Great van. We use it to tow the US Bobsled to shows. Gives great power and fuel mileage for such a large van. Im looking foward to buying the new GM Diesel van. We also take it to a lot of Nascar Races. We are very active in racing selling our products to several teams and sponsor several teams. Its not uncommen to see Nascar drivers catching a ride in our van. It can seat 15 people. All in all very satisfied.

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  I love it anyway - 1996 GMC Yukon
  By Betsy - December 12 - 2:03 am

  Bought my truck new 9 1/2 years ago... now has 148,000 miles on it... Up until this year, had very few repairs, but this year, I have replaced brakes, alternator, battery and the fuel pump twice. Just spent $1300 to get rid of a "Service engine soon" light, and I still have the light... So I get my 2nd fuel pump this week. Other than that, I love my truck, but feel it may not be as reliable as Id like... May need to buy new. It also eats a ton of gas!

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  4 years w/my Jimmy - 1994 GMC Jimmy
  By Gal-a-van-tin - December 6 - 3:27 pm

  When I bought my Jimmy, it had 68K on it and lots of surface rust. I had that removed and now it needs it again. I like the interior except, would like a movable console between seats for extra space. I bought it for the 4WD feature to feel more secure in bad weather. Also, I wanted to do lots of road trips and camp out of the car. This is great! A twin-size mattress fits in the back comfortably and I can go almost anywhere with it. The engine has been very reliable and my mechanic says I should have no problem getting another 50,000 miles out of it. I have had basic repairs and maintenance, but nothing out of the ordinary, $100- $300/yr. I would change a few things with the design.

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  My third Denali but not my last - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Wilich - December 1 - 8:21 pm

  I have owned just about every luxury SUV auto available, including Mercedes, and the GMC Yukon Denali is far and away the best SUV vehicle I have driven. The quality gets better every year it seems too, despite a high level each year. My only "wish" would be that it would have selectable AWD vs. 2Wheel drive.

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  Very nice.... - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Doug - November 26 - 4:30 pm

  My Canyon is all that I could expect from a smaller truck. GREAT mileage with the 5 cylinder. Plenty of power. In fact, on a wet day the wheels actually break loose! Interior could be a bit more "classy".

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  Disappoints - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By Dennis Downey - November 26 - 12:23 am

  I have owned this Jimmy since it was new and have been very satisfied until a month ago when I lost all of my brakes with no indication that I had a problem. Come to find out when the unit was built they intalled the one brake line too close to the steering column and after 7 years it wore a hole in the line and during my last drive using the brakes exhausted all the fluid. I was very lucky that it didnt happen as I had just exited a major freeway and went home. I wrote a memo to GMC as this in my opinion should not have happened. I have not heard one reply from them and an very disappointed in that. So any of you 1998 Jimmy SL owners better check it could happen to you.

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  Third Review on this Safari in 3 Years - 1995 GMC Safari
  By Southern Moon - November 14 - 5:11 pm

  Two previous reviews by me. 07/12/02 and 07/24/03. Again now 11/14/05. Tripped 300K a while back. Almost 304,000 today. The best vehicle weve ever owned. Strong, strong engine still. NO OIL USE. Reliable to the max. No trouble except some flaking paint but even thats not bad. Last spark plugs changed about 150,000 miles ago. NEVER HAD A TUNE UP in 8-1/2 years. I tried to sell this Safari at 239K at a giveaway price but nobody bit- not that I blame them but its still in great shape mechanically and still looks good too. We bought a GMC Suburban based on how this GMC had been but its not as reliable as the Safari and the Suburban with about 100K does need oil at changing time.

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  Its OK, but check out the Dodge too - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By gmc driver guy - November 3 - 9:43 am

  The 05 replaced my 03, both Duramax, and I have to say that I liked my 03 better. I dont know what GMC did between then and now, but whatever it was, I dont like it. I test drove a Dodge both times and thought that they rode too hard and the back seat was too small. On the other hand, is it worth $10 grand to get a GMC that also rides hard and has a slightly larger rear seat that Im never going to ride in? To be sure, its a nice car, but Im starting to wonder if I shouldnt have bought the Dodge and put the $10 grand into my future Cessna fund. Come on GMC, for fifty grand you guys can do better! If you dont believe me look at your last 3 quarters sales numbers.

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  GMCs Hot Truck is still a truck - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By silky - October 29 - 9:40 am

  Wants: A vehicle to haul stuff and still be sporty. GMCs Sierra 1500 with the HT package seemed a good bet. A 4.8 liter 270 hp motor, auto trans and heavy duty suspension. After 8k miles Im disappointed. The engine lacks low end torque often shifting in first gear to pass or merge with authority. The ride is choppy on the freeway and gas mileage is poor, best 15mpg.