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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  steering and alignment suck - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Michael22 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  The steering shaft, alignment, and crossmember keep needing work. I took it in 3 times for alignment because the tires are wearing on the outter side, and the steering shaft has been changed once, and it still makes noises and rattles when i turn, and the crossmember has been changed because it made clicking noises when i turned-- that is the only problem the dealer fixed right the first time.

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  For The Price - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By t and t - April 11 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle ride well and looks good,But for the money the dash and interior wood grain is substandard.

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  Nice SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Jefferson1964 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2003 Grand Cherokee Limited V8. Of course i was upside down, however, the incentives GM offered put me in the green due to the $8,000 off sticker. The ride is very smooth, handling is a little soft but not bad. The engine is very quiet with strong and smooth excelleration. The dash layout makes all knobs easily accessible. I wanted to trade my grand because i felt like i was being beaten up driving it as it truly was made for offroad use which i never was able to do anyway.

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  First 2000 Miles - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By Daves Toy - April 6 - 10:00 am

  All-around visibility is exceptional for a vehicle this size. Rear-view mirrors are large, quick to respond with exceptional coverage. Turning radius is excellent. SUV responds and accellerates quickly. Rear seats easy to lower and repostion. Third seat is heavy, but easy to remove and replace. Ride is smooth, quiet, and solid for a large SUV. Leg room for all is comfortable. Third seat surprisingly comfortable. Trip record feature a plus. All in all, we LOVE the Denali. Cant wait to tow our retirement "cabin."

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  My Rating - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By Earl Connell - April 5 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent vehicle for my use. Good performance and fun to drive. Normal maintanance only for brakes and tires and service. Only major maintenance need was air conditioning leak. Average in excess of 20 mpg.

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  2008 GMC 1500 - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By medic979 - April 4 - 7:20 pm

  Nice truck. However, the transmission shifts hard and catches when leaving from complete stop. Dealer says they have had other customers with same problem and no fix for it, so very disappointed. Was in shop at 2000 miles with this problem and still does it. I looked at Fords and Toyota, quality was better. Why did I buy GM? I liked my selling dealer. Im stuck with this truck that has a catch when leaving from a complete stop. Think twice before purchasing. I do enjoy the truck and if they find a fix for it Ill be happy, but they may be bankrupt first. Till they get their act together, go with Toyota.

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  Near Perfect - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By walters - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Besides being an incredible gas guzzler, this is an awesome vehicle, (short bus).Do not buy for "primary vehicle" or cuz "Ill look cool in a Denali" vehicle. Cuz for one,a Denali is ONLY efficient and sufficient to own as a primary vehicle when your second car is a 14 seater stretch Hummer limo, and no, you probably dont look as cool as you think you do rollin in your Denali cuz most of the people that even realize that it is a Denali and not a Tahoe, are to busy thinking about how cool THEY are rollin in a Denali. Most people that can appreciate how sweet,cool and expensive a Denali is have one themselves.

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  Subpar American made car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By joed - March 24 - 4:10 pm

  Nice looking car inside and out. Excellent, smooth ride. Brakes OK, not great. While driving, try to accelerate slowly, car doesnt respond. Dashboard buttons, too many, too hard to read, poorly located. You can watch the gas guage drop as you drive. Not as good as my old Honda Pilot. Would not buy this vehicle again.

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  Nice - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Chris - March 24 - 2:29 pm

  I had a 2011 Sierra SLT. Just got my2016. I kind of miss my real truck feel. This truck while exceedingly nice, does not feel truck like.

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  POOR FUEL ECONOMY - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By B JOHANSON - March 23 - 2:00 am

  WE PURCHASED OUR ENVOY IN JANUARY THINKING WE WOULD GET AT LEAST 15 MI TO THE GALLON CITY AND 19 HIGHWAY. TO DATE WE HAVE ONLY BE ABLE TO GET 11 TO 13 CITY AND 15 HIGHWAY. A COMBINATION CITY AND HIGHWAY YEILDED ONLY 13. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RATED 15 CITY AND 19 HIGHWAY WAS BASED ON 55 MPH. I HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE DO NOT ABUSE OUR MPH OR SIGNAL TAKE OFFS AND IT STIL SUCKS ON MILEAGE. NEXT STEP IS BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR SOME HELP. SO FAR WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VECHICLE.