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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  King of full size SUVs! - 2009 GMC Yukon XL
  By Keith Rigsby - February 24 - 1:31 pm

  There is no real comparable full size SUV to challenge General Motors, but that hasnt kept GM from continuously improving the Yukon XL. We traded an 2004 Suburban for this brand new and now with 155,000 miles on it, this baby still runs and drives like a new one. Being totally honest, there are two weaknesses for these trucks. 1st is the displacement on demand or active fuel management. This is supposed to increase your gas mileage, but it causes your motor to consume oil after about 60,000 miles or so. And if youre not the type that keeps an eye on your oil level, you can run too low and burn your motor up. I have always kept a close eye on this and finally had the dod deleted and Ive had zero problems. My mileage is the same, maybe even a little better, and no more oil consumption. 2nd weakness is the transmission torque converter design. Due to a design issue, these 6 speed trannys will give you problems between 100k and 125k miles. Mine made it to 153k and then it cost approximately $1300 to have the fix done. The good thing is my guy went through the entire tranny and all was good except the torque converter and another part, the name of which slips my mind. A complete rebuild would have cost $2500-$3500, but because my tranny guy is honest, he fixed only what needed fixing. Bad part is that the design flaw is still there and in another 120k miles, Ill be looking at doing it again. Overall, this vehicle is awesome. Still looks good and havent had any other issues with it except for what Ive mentioned. Granted, some people will drive them even when they know theres a problem and this will wind up costing them a lot more in the long run. But for those that get luckier and catch these two issues quickly, this vehicle will give you many, many trouble free miles and will do so efficiently and in style.

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  Good truck with lots of extras - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By art5121 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I have 11,500 miles on this 1-year old truck. Ive owned many vehicles in my 25 years of driving, and honestly think this is the best truck on the road. The ride is smooth (better than many cars), the 5.3 liter engine is strong, and the fuel mileage beats the heck out of a Dodge. Ive owned Chevy and GMC trucks before, and I agree with many other people who say the re-design of these vehicles put them in a class to be envied.

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  My Canyon - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By gmc_man9 - February 23 - 8:00 pm

  I went from regular cab Sierra to the extended cab Canyon. At first I wasnt a happy guy, but this truck will grow on you. I put a bug guard and a soft tonneau cover on my silver Canyon. Do I get the compliments. I get 21 MPG around town with the 4 CYL. I have friends who have extended cab Ford Rangers and it seems as if the Canyon is more roomy. Have owned many vehicles since I started driving, my Canyon by far has to be my favorite.

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  What a fun beast! - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Stuart Schotte - February 23 - 5:03 pm

  Bought it new last month. I had a problem with the overflow tank leaking into the wiring harness and ruining a control module. 10 days in the shop and then the radio had to be replaced. Some gremlins in the electronics. If it is all fixed this will be my dream truck! I have the diesel. I am getting about 17mpg at 70-75 on the highway vs 14 for my 2002 Chevy K1500 w/ the 5.3 ltr. This thing will go straight up mountains without downshifting! What a beast! I was towing about 9k lbs behind the Chevy. I cant wait to hook "Max" up to the trailer! XM is nice for trips too. I have the buckets in front and the console encroaches on my leg when driving (Im 64"), but you get used to it!

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  Denali - Wow! - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By smokey2000 - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Have piled on 9500 miles in 5 months already...what a highway cruiser! Averaged 17.7 mpg over a 700 mile round trip, with five people and all their luggage! Just keep it under 80 MPH and the mileage is OK. Try to maintain 85 or above, and it really suffers. Power is great! I LOVE blowing the doors off of the little imports and their rev- happy 4-bangers. Its all about the torque! Theres no replacement for displacement! I even SMOKED a 330i BMW the other day! I loved the look on his face! Woo-hoo!

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  great truck - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By charlie covey - February 20 - 2:00 am

  excellent truck with a great ride and excellent handling, very quiet and the options are terrific

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  2008 SLT2 AWD - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Deuce - February 19 - 10:53 am

  I have had this vehicle for 3 weeks now and love it . It drives like a car. If you accelerate slow and study and try to keep it under 2000 rpms it will obtain the gas mileage as stated on the window sticker. GM has really hit the mark with this vehicle. Fun to drive.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 GMC Safari
  By Bob - February 17 - 11:14 am

  I bought the GMC Safari new in 2002 because I needed a vehicle that would haul our stuff to our cabin in Northern Michigan which also had All Wheel Drive for the mud and snow we frequeny encounter. The truck based Safari was the perfect answer and it has proven to be just that. After 108,000 miles, the only repair it has needed was a an alternator during the first year covered by warranty. Too bad there isnt a comparable vehicle available today. Guess Ill keep it. Its still strong and I expect at least 250,000 miles out of it.

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  Awesome SUV!!! - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By AwesomeCPA - February 17 - 10:00 am

  (Note: Weve actually got the Vortec 8100 but that wasnt a listed model choice) We recently purchased this vehicle to replace an older Suburban. Weve got 3.5 children and occasionally tow a 5500 lb boat. We are very impressed with the quality and performance of this vehicle. We compared to the Toyota Sequoia, the Ford Excursion, the new Ford Expedition and the Mercedes M class. None of these other vehicles had the performance/space/quality "total package" that the GMC has.

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  Sleeper King of the Road - 1993 GMC Typhoon
  By Typhoon=Typhool - February 12 - 2:24 pm

  I first came in contact with this beast almost when they came out and I could not keep my eyes off it. As soon as I could find a good example of one, I bought. Best purchase I ever made.I believe that you only go around in life once, so you shouldnt cheat yourself out of an experience like this. Buy it, have some fun with it, and sell it so someone else can have some fun. Dont be greedy.