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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  Good Experience Minus the Mileage - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By pontiac301hell - July 25 - 4:53 pm

  So far this truck has been great and reliable. I drive it in mixed conditions and have not had a problem yet for reliability. The truck starts no problem when I dont have a plug in available in the cold(-42 the other week). The cylinder shut down for improved mileage does not seem to work overly well. Sofar the best mileage Ive been able to pull is 15 mpg while cruising at 110 km/h.

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  Bad experience - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Frank Leslie - July 24 - 3:13 pm

  Intermediate steering shaft made noises, steering rack had to be replaced. A/C will not work on inside air setting. Other than this, the vehicle is pretty good.

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  great suv - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By keegan - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I had wanted one for a few years but so expensive. When they had the 0 % financing I was there. I like it but am driving way to much now! Still a very expensive vehicle. I love the on star and how it rives feels like a car. Like the dash

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  Best Truck For the Money - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Marc B - July 21 - 2:50 pm

  I read all the reviews on this truck before I bought. And most of them were positive. So I went out and bought used from a trustworthy dealer. Drove home over 400 miles that afternoon and night and totally enjoyed the ride home. Truck is very nice ride, and good looking. 5.3 engine has it all also. Gmc is easy to work on, and do your own services on. Save money right there.

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  From Suburban to Yukon - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Texas mom - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Overall good vehicle. Rattles a lot after 60000 miles. Only complaint is that the paint on the dash has began coming off in places with edges and is not very attractive or wanted.

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  Great Truck - 1996 GMC Yukon
  By Agejones - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Great Truck has over 237,000 miles on the truck. Even with that many miles still getting over 17 mpg in combined city/hwy driving. Replaced all normal wear items without incident. Tranny and engine still going strong even when pulling a 5000lb horse trailer. Some electrical bugaboos but nothing major. (ie lights in dash etc.) Truck will probably last another few years and then will consider buying a lower mileage example as a replacement.

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  A few issues - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By mca13159 - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 30k miles on my Envoy SLE in 11 months. High mileage for work and 3 travel hockey players. After the first three trips back to the dealer for engine problems the vehicle is running great. 4wd with enough room in back are a key for me. The cup holders are pretty ridiculous though.

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  I love my Envoy!! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By jcreason - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I am so thrilled with my 2004 Envoy with V8. It handles great, comfortable drive, very roomy in the leg area even with the third row of seats. Will never live without a navigation system again. Only wish I could play CDs while using it. The interior suits me fine. Feels solid. Love the automatic headlight feature since I always forgot to turn my lights off. Everything about this vehicle is great. And everyone oohs and aaahs when they see it. We have made three long distance trips in it so far (over 7 hours) and get about 21 mpg on the open road, 15 around town. I am a "fearful" driver and I feel confident in this automobile.

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  Denali - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By srt671 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with the towing capacity of my Denali. I am displeased with the interior, it seems cheap. I am also displeased with the dealerships not offering loaner cars when your 50k vehicle is in the shop. We have had a noise in the steering wheel every time you turn left. The thing is almost a year old and the problem is still not corrected. The trim on the dash is starting to flake off. But other than that we have been very happy with it. We will be trading it in in Jan. 05, We will not be getting another one. Looking at the Lexus, Escalde, and Navigator.

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  Good truck - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By drenski - July 17 - 2:22 pm

  Ive owned this older Duramax SLT 4x4 truck for over a year now and it has been pretty good. The only issues Ive had with this truck that are not operator caused are I had a few bearings go out in the belt pullies, alternator bit the dust and the Hydroboost had to be replaced. All of these I was able to do myself with minimal effort. There were some other things that needed repair but those were not the trucks fault. It IS an older truck. Everything else seems to be fine. The engine is strong and the Allison tranny works great. Im overall happy with the truck. I just wish the cab was a bit more polished. I bought the truck to pull and it does it well.