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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  Big wheels for grown ups - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By smithu - December 26 - 10:45 pm

  Coming from a 2001 Tahoe I was caught off guard. I love to start the truck from inside my house just to hear the boom of the exhaust outside! For a family man this is a hot ride. Numerous features from adjustable petals for my short wife, to the booming bass Bose system when Im alone. Im glad I saved my chips and got the Denali over the slade

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  Denali review - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By silverchevy - December 26 - 2:43 pm

  I love the Denali! It drives more like a Mercedes M, but smoother. The fit and finish is amazing. The sound (or lack of it) is great! The MSRP on it with Nav, rear ent., sunroof and 20" wheels is $54,500. I paid approx $47,900 ($500 under invoice).

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  Driven the way you would like to driveit - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By JOPY/NY - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the first brand new truck I have bought, and I would have to say I do love it, I compared the Escalade when buying this truck and found I enjoyed the more firm ride as opposed to the soft swaying ride the escalade offered. It corners nicely considering its a truck it holds the road quite well, I just drove through the 2ft of snow we just had and it was a dream with the stabila trac keeping the truck from quick turns and not allowing the ass end to spin out,

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  Denali = Outstanding Value for your Money - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By Lav_tip - December 19 - 2:55 pm

  I really enjoy this vehicle. I personally like the nav system and dont really care about the whole "CD" issue. Oh by the way, I also own an 06 Lexus GS300 AWD and my wife owns an 06 RX330 and neither one of us listens to CDs. We do however enjoy our subscriptions to XM satellite radio. I test all the competitors products and found that the Denali was equivalent to the 4Runner, Pathfinder and the other American products as well. I love driving this vehicle. I drove it from Herndon, VA to Knoxville, TN and it performed extremely well and was a very comfortable ride.

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  Fun on the open road - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By TP - December 19 - 11:25 am

  This has been a great truck thus far. The ride and comfort are on par with an Escalade for about $10k less. Plenty of room for my family, especially on long road trips. Some may comment of the gas mileage and say that you should wait for the hybrid version, but by the time you wait, the actual gain/benefits from the hybrid will be small.

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  Excellent - 2008 GMC Yukon XL
  By Marlene - December 18 - 10:53 pm

  The engine is a 6.3, 16 miles in city, and on trips from Pataskala, OH, to Cold Spring, KY I can average 21 - 24 miles to the gallon. Why can you not rate this SUV as an excellent buy? My daughter and her family have taken it to N.C. from Cold Spring, KY, and they average 18.5 to 21 mpg. You have the american people thinking they cannot get the big GMC, and get good gas mileage. Our neighbors bought a Surburban after we told them about how good the gas mileage is on ours. We also told another neighbor who told us they didnt think they could afford putting gas into one. They now have a 2008. In our subdivision of about 120 houses there are over a dozen GMCs or Suburbans.

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  Great Buy - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By hadley - December 13 - 3:56 pm

  Ive had this truck now for 4 months and have been very pleased with it. Biggest complaint is the interior. The overall layout looks great (pure truck interior), but the seat material looks to be made from the same material as the headliner in my prev last gen Chevy-it collects lint and your clothes stick to it. The floor under the backseat in the ex-cab isnt flat like the crew-hard to stick two 10" subs under. The gas mileage is lower, but what do expect from a bigger/heavier truck-get 17.5/20.5. However, it is faster than the last 4.8Ls Ive owned-3rd one now. This has a great ride quality, is super quiet and looks wonderful. Definitely GMs best truck yet.

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  Gorgeous in every way! - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By TXGREEK - December 12 - 10:25 pm

  By far the best ever built. Drives like my Benz. Get it loaded and you wont want to get out of the vehicle. Unbelieveable ride and power. Find myself looking for excuses to drive.

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  first trip - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By golfer - December 12 - 12:06 am

  I just returned from a 3000 mi trip with my new gmc. Great truck on the hi way with the 5.3 flex fuel engine and active fuel management. I could not tell when it shifted from 4 to 8 cylinders or back again, Plenty of passing power and plenty of storage room inside for luggage etc. On Star and Xm radio are amazing!

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  GM has a winner! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By DHL - December 8 - 8:30 pm

  We saw this car on the showroom floor, took it for a test drive and were completely overwhelmed with ride quality, comfort and styling. Its the most stylish vehicle weve ever owned with features we thought we would never be able to afford in an automobile. The dashboard and console are nicely designed with all controls at your fingertips. The dual sunroof is really cool, letting in plenty of light. Radio controls in the back are great for tailgate partys and theres plenty of space for storage in the back. This summer, we towed a 19 foot boat and a storage area full of gear from behind the front seats to the rear tailgate with no loss of power, handling or ride quality.