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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  ENVOY SLE 04 - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Miss Envoy 04 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Great. No problems. Easy quiet drive!

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  GMC ENVOY - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Gregory Kelyl - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I am not going to write a long review, I just want other people to know how much I enjoy driving around in my new Envoy. This car is a great ride, and very stylish.

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  Happy with the Envoy - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By DBerkner - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Handles smoothly, takes corners tightly.

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  Stuck with Envoy - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By P witkewiz - December 2 - 2:04 pm

  Envoy Denali features are nice but the products reliability and GMs lack of support is disappointing. After 36,000 miles, the steering rack and front transfer case failed leaving me with substantial expense and GM only partially helped - not nearly to my satisfaction.

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  Bad Quality - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By paulaross - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Brakes went bad 800 dollars Replaced Anti Lock 1100 dollars Bolts fell out lot of recalls Crome plating on plactic parts came off Engine doesnot quite run right.

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  Awesome! - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By walkerkm - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful Vehicle all the way around!

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  gmc blues - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By sad owner - November 27 - 10:00 am

  I have a love hate relationship with this truck. I love the looks and performance when it is running correctly but it only rarely runs correctly. Recalls out the gazoo...troubles not recalled to go along with them. Abs kicks in uncalled for, clunk in rear end, shakes, hesitations, misfires, BOTH windows falling into the doors, squealing fuel pump..dealer said "your lucky it aint worse"...many problems in the 99 model that shouldnt be for a SLT Ext Cab Z71 that cost $32000

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  Sweet Ride - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Ron - November 26 - 3:20 pm

  I have driven my truck about 6000 miles now and I have had no problems at all. I do notice a hard upshift when I have to stop swiftly. I can only manage to get about 16 mpg. I traded in a 04 Nissan Titan 4x4 on this truck and I have not been too disappointed. Overall I think GM did good with this re-design.

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  Im in love! - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Echo - November 26 - 8:04 am

  Ive gone from a Ford Probe to a Saturn SC2 Coupe to an Impala. What took me so long to find this one? I love they way I can actually see the road. Im in the nosebleed section! Love it!If someone had said Id own an SUV, Id have laughed. Im a convert. I love the Envoy and all it has to offer. Comfort and parking lot friendly. The color is beautiful, too. My only complaint? The seat belt hits my neck, but then again, they all do...Im short.

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  Best Vehicle I have ever Owned - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Tony - November 25 - 5:16 am

  Bought truck new in 03,I have over 140K and have not had to spend $1 on repairs. Replace fluids and do proper maintenance and it runs as good as the day I bought it.Would like to buy a new truck but cannot justify replacing it as it is so reliable. I drive a lot of highway miles and get almost 19 MPG if I keep it around 70 MPH.