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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  I love this truck! - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Scott - July 9 - 4:16 am

  I have owned a Ford F150 extended cab and Z71. I was a little leery of this truck because everybody complained about gas mileage. My Z got about 13 and my F150 got about 14. Im getting a solid 13.7 so big whoop. I love this truck performance and comfort. My wife drives a Yukon and gets 17. For the 3 difference Id rather have the quadrasteer and the comfort. Ive put 30,000 on this truck and about to turn 50,000 (bought it used). With GM droping the quadrasteer, I plan on keeping it for some time. The big chrome grille let them know youre comin and the 6.0 lets them know you gone!

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  Terrific Vehicle- I recommend - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Tgold - July 5 - 6:23 pm

  I bought the GMC Envoy SLE several weeks ago and love driving it more each day. Its very comfortable and has plenty of power...gas mileage around town seems to suffer...definitely better on the highway.

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  Love It! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By mswoods - July 1 - 1:13 pm

  I love the Acadia. I enjoy the drive. The body is bold and stands out. Love all the little extras. DVD, leather seats, and of course the sunroof. The car is an attention getter. It is easy to drive and easy to turn. The rear camera is wonderful when parking. It has enough room on the inside for everyone and you do not feel cramped up. You still feel like you are in a car but you are high like a truck with the room of a SUV! I love it and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun-loving family friendly car that still turns heads! Thumbs up to GMC. Just work on the transmission and auto start!

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  Enjoy the Envoy. - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Nooper pooperson - June 30 - 1:52 pm

  I bought my Envoy because I needed a cheaper car than what I had so I didnt expect much. But this SUV is unbelieveable. The power from this 4.2 I6 is outstanding (290 HP) The ride is the smoothest of any SUV Ive ever ridden in. My Envoy Is Superior Blue Metallic with the gray interior and when cleand up this car shines, especially the 17" polished aluminum wheels. The only drawback is gas mileage. Around 13MPG in town which is not what I expected out of a 6 Cyl. But all of the standard features make up for it.

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  Almost 100% happy, Customers come first. - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mike - June 27 - 7:46 pm

  Looked for the right truck, was going to buy new or used, but had to be the right one. Looked at all makes and then i was in a Dodge dealer looking at new dodges and there was the truck that had allmost every thing i wanted and it was used. There are only 2 things i think GM needs to work on, 1 Fuel economy they can make trucks with great fuel economy, i get 580km on a tank, i think it should get at lest 800km in the city, my 92 chevy diesel gets 650km in the city. 2 i hate the hesitation when stepping on the gas to pass, come on GM you can put toyota and all the rest in the dust if you really wanted to. Why do you think people by foreign?

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  Awesome Gas Mileage - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Patrick - June 26 - 5:48 pm

  This Yukon gets the best gas mileage I have ever seen in a full size SUV. I am averaging 20mpg in mostly city driving. It is also one of the most comfortable and easy to drive. I have always liked the exterior design. However, the interior dash could use some work which I think they did for the 07s. Overall you cant beat the price, comfort, ride and reliability of an 05 Yukon.

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  Switched to GMC Denali after 12 years of Tundra - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By FFB - June 26 - 5:30 pm

  This is a city truck that in my opinion is better than an SUV if you use the bed on ocassion. I love it, handles and rates much better than Tundra in my book. Small things that made the diffrence to me: closing the doors sound short and full not like a tin can, how Tundra did. Bluetooh and entire entertainment system with car play is spectacular, better than Tundras entertainment system, could be that Tundra was 2014 this is 2017 and technology moves rather quick. Gas consumption day and night differentce, Tundra had a 5.7 L this is a 5.3L engine same thing for me however Tundra was at 12.8 city this is 15.9 city that is my measumerment as I think when they are doing it combined gets way too interpretative and subjective. On and all love it.

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  Yukon XL - Best value for the Money - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By TRL - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 3 Suburbans/Yukon-XL vehicles since 1995. I currently own a 2001 Yukon-XL. It drives like the luxury vehicle it is, yet has great power for towing & mobility of a much smaller vehilcle. THe ride is very comfortable and I have had no maintenance problems WHAT-SO-EVER.

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  Solid and Reliable - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By HRC - June 24 - 8:53 am

  We have owned our Acadia for about 13k miles. We selected it over the Acura MDX primarily due to its 3rd row space. Though we had some trepidation about the alleged poor reliability of American cars, I can say that for equivalent miles, the Acadia has been far more reliable than my 2005 Infiniti G35 or my VW Passat. I have had absolutely no reliability issues with the Acadia, while I cant say the same about the others. I was initially concerned about the fuel economy, and I have found the economy to be a mixed bag: city mileage is poor at about 11-14 mpg, but on the highway it is easy to achieve 24mpg by staying <70mph and using the cruise control. This is surprising for a big vehicle.

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  Denali...great buy - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Jen - June 24 - 7:43 am

  I researched many SUVs when I was going to buy my vehicle. I test drove many SUVs including the luxury ones. This was one of my smoother test drives and I just fell in love with it. Great new design on the outside and the ammenities inside are outstanding. i have had my Denali for about a month and I have gotten so many complements on it. Smooth, reliable,safe, stylish and its just an all around smart vehicle. I love it!