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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  love my denali - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By alexmandi - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I love my Denali XL it is a joy to drive. I also have an H2 Hummer and when I get back in the Yukon it is like driving a car!

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  Engineering design needed - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Joe - September 6 - 3:23 pm

  I purchased the newly designed 2007 model Denali with all the options. With winter here in Idaho, the accumulation of 1/4 inch of ice on the rear bumper, blocks the lift gate from opening. With the automatic lift gate option it keeps trying to open until it completes its cycle with all of the grinding that makes you cringe.. There is no splash guard to keep the tires from throwing snow and ice on the running boards. The build up of only a few inches does not allow the doors to open, or it drags the bottom of the door. When the snow melts on the roof it runs down between the door pillars and drops out the bottom and freezes on the running board, keeping the door from opening, or rubbing.

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  A Truck that puts a smile on your face! - 2006 GMC Sierra 3500
  By don lewis - September 3 - 5:36 pm

  I have owned this truck since 2006 and now have 56000 miles on it. The Duramax/Allison combo outshines the rest. I have hauled volleyball teams, 15000lbs 5th wheel up the Cascades, to work everyday and a multiple runs crosscounty and I smile everytime I start this truck up. Do I have complaints? One, the roof liner fit and finish leaves alot to be desired :( I have drove the rest and this is hands down the best. A Quiet diesel that can smoke the tires. I laugh when the Toyota boys try to pull something heavy up the mountains, they just dont have it. It will be the last truck I own.

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  A very good performer, meets all specs. - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By TheColonel - September 3 - 12:56 am

  With approx. 7000 miles traveled, I find this vehicle meeting all specifications as advertised. Driving on highway, side roads and in snow it is better than expected. Interior room and ride comfort is rated high by all who have been passengers so far. Dash board computer read out on gas use, miles per gal, next oil change etc. is an excellent addition. Steering wheel controls for almost everything. At this time, I rate it excellent. If GM wanted to make it better, they did! Its this model.

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  2004 GMC Sierra Z71 - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By zackm58941 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  sweat truck, very pleased

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  A New Experience - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Shirlee - September 1 - 2:53 am

  We are overwhelmingly pleased with our new 2007 Acadia. After owning several new SUVs of different makes and models the Acadia surpasses them all! A totally different experience in the "SUV World". My husband drives a pickup and I drive the family SUV, but now when we go on an evening out, trip, etc., my husband jumps in behind the wheel of our Acadia. If we have friends that are joining us, he always offers to pick them up! What a switch! I wish everyone in the "SUV World" would test drive an Acadia. They would experience what I am talking about! The Acadia is certainly a new experience for us and I am sure we will continue to purchase them in the future.

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  Went with the Denali over the Escalade - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By BCB VA - August 29 - 10:35 am

  I went back and forth for a month and a half between a Denali and Escalade, decided after figuring the personal prop tax in VA, payment & DP diff., and cost to insure...I saved $180 a month...and the Escalade didnt have the NAV or rear camera or I-pod jack built in, only xenon and airconditioned seats were not. I came out of an Escalade so the step back was hard, but it was a great decision. I bought a black on black, every option for a great lease price. I get all kinds of compliments, the build quality is head and toes above previous models, and the technology is great. Performance is crazy for a 3 ton truck, ride and handling are car like, and visibility is much improved. A+ and its American!

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  BUY THE BEST RIDE AROUND - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By althea - August 28 - 10:00 am

  THE VEHICLE PERFORMS VERY WELL, AND HANDLES EXCELLENT. YOU FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD.

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  Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By terrain - August 28 - 5:16 am

  Purchased my Terrain very end of Jan. Currently have 1400 miles. I do feel that transmission shifting that others have spoken about. Took some getting use too. It definately wont win any awards for being fast to accelerate from a dead stop. The ride is wonderful coming from a Honda Element, its like heaven. Nice smooth ride, quiet cabin. No problems thus far. Havent had a chance to test it out in the snow. I hope its as good as the Element was.

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  Like my Yuke - 1996 GMC Yukon
  By DickMurphy - August 27 - 1:22 am

  Purchased it from 2nd owner, young woman, was local dealer offlease truck. 87K. Logged over 46K since. Mild off-road use, super comfortable on long trips. Decent gas mileage considering its size, power, and era it was made (gas was cheap). I like the "old" platform better than the new one. This is one of the last of the simple truck models, good old reliable 350. It doesnt tick, knock, burns a little oil but that is normal for a GM 350 this old. Always keep the maintenance up. Only mechanical issue was worn out fuel sending unit, cost $370 to replace w/new one. Door hinge pins. Great truck, can put lots of people or stuff in it, go anywere in any type of wthr.