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:

• 

  Love My Denali! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Faun - March 2 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I have gone through NUMEROUS cars in the last 10 years, and this is by far my favorite. The few things I had to get used to were, the turning, parking, & fuel consumption ($49.00 fill up 31 gal.). Those are the "negatives". For the positives, I could go on and on...but most importantly, you get a lot of respect on the road. The kids love it and we can haul all of their stuff, and all of us (5), VERY comfortably. Its a beautiful vehicle that is a pleasure to drive. The feeling of being safe, with the size and build of the car along with having Onstar, gives me incredible peace of mind.

• 

  denali - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By crystallee3 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  We love this auto. We have taken several trips and enjoy the roomey interior. The fold in mirror make it easy to park, not only in the garage but in tight parking lots.This would have been the best auto I have ever own except for its handeling. It is loose at high speeds. We just finished a trip to Florida pulling a trailer and had a very hard time with the handeling at speed above 70. It feels like the front end wants to pull one way or the other. we also find this at low speed at intersecting streets.

• 

  DENALIGreat - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By jimmatsky - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Great Vehicle! Second one for us and in addition to a Yucon XL. They are all good. Gas milage is NOT good. 10 MPG average but vehicle is new and driven only in city. Its big, roomy, quiet and responsive. You have a distinct feeling of safety when driving or transporting people or cargo.

• 

  Good Truck So Far - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By aclark - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I havent had any real problems from it so far. Purchased 9/28/03. I have taken it in because the service 4wd light kept coming on & turn signal freezing. Outside of those 2 things its worked fine. Youd also expect a car thats $33k+ to come with more standard features ie lighted vanity mirrors& a light in the glove box. Also, gas mileage wasnt a shock to me because my Grand Prix GT cost about the same to fill up. All around its a nice truck and I get many compliments. I love the 4wd in the snow. Its very responsive to hwy acceleration. I may try another when my lease is up, probably the SLT XL model unless Buick offers a bigger Rainier.

• 

  Pleasant Surprise - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Massive Mike - March 1 - 2:00 am

  e have only had this vehicle for one week, but I love it. We opted for the GMC over the Chevy Silverado based on appearance. The GMC looks like a truck. It is incredibly fast (5.3 litre V-8) for a 4 wheel drive truck. It is comfortable and the ride and handling are very nice. This truck is fun to drive. So far so good. We love it!

• 

  my suburban - 1990 GMC Suburban
  By scottgr - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck for over 3 and a half years and it is a dream. What a solid truck and the preformance is like that of a new one but without all the new cramped computer engine stuff.

• 

  BLUE THUNDER - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By C SUBER - February 19 - 10:00 am

  QUICKLY ILL SAY THAT MY GMC HAS BEEN A COMFORTABLE, DURABLE, RELIABLE TRUCK FOR THE 2 YEARS IVE OWNED IT. VERY POWERFUL TRUCK, THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE ABOUT THE TRUCK IS THE CHEAP, BLAND INTERIOR THEY MAKE. OTHER THAN THAT A GREAT TRUCK TO OWN.

• 

  GMC Yukon SLT FWD 03 - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Doggone Great - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Well done, GMC. Much improved build quality. Plenty of power. Same mileage as my 93 K5. Smooth 4WD. almost too smooth.

• 

  strong engine - 2004 GMC Sonoma
  By bufalo - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I FOUND THIS VEHICLE TO BE BUILT WELL WITH A VERY STRONG ENGINE, ALTHOUGH MY MILEAGE WASNT QUITE UP TO WHAT I EXPECTED,ALSO ITS SOMEWHAT WIDE TURN RADIUS MADE IT MORE OF A CHALLENGE IN OFF ROAD DRIVING.THE INTERIOR IS QUITE COMFORTABLE, I AM A LARGE MAN AND THIS VEHICLE HAS AMPLE SHOULDER, AND LEG ROOM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING ,FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER.I AM SORRY TO SEE THEM DISCONTINUE THIS VEHICLE PLAFORM.

• 

  Great (SO FAR) Minor stuff only - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Trout Terminator - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought this little gem to cart around the oompa loompas and haul the boat, 17 foot Starcraft (2300) lbs. This truck does it all very very well. Good to fair gas mileage. (not bad for a semi- thristy v-6). I get good mileage with A/C on full blast also. Truck doesnt mind a/c when towing and doesnt lose power. Has a little bit of a knock when you floor it....49k miles and have only replaced the battery. (delco batteries arent top quality). Gas gauge failed at 41k, thank god I bought extended warranty. I still paid $140 out of my pocket to fix gauge. I paid 18,600 used, 14k miles on it originally. I think price equals value here.