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 This Truck - 1995 GMC Sierra 1500
  By alex1906 - June 20 - 3:33 pm

  I bought my truck from a friend and at the time he used it to haul a racecar trailer every weekend. I purchased it with 125,000 miles - he said good luck he didnt think it would last much longer (the body and interior were in excellent shape and it mechanically sound). I got it super cheap because of his stupidity. This truck consistently hauls a horse trailer that is too big for it and does a lot of other hard work. Its pushing 240k miles and everything is still original. Of course it gets maintenance regularly and has had some minor issues (EGR valve, blower motor resistor, etc). Im starting to get a little rust on the body right behind both doors. However, the truck is still solid.

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  Test drive for yourself - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Bob Larson - June 15 - 6:26 pm

  Our GMC Envoy is an outstanding vehicle. The ride quality and quiet interior (thanks in part to the power rear glass that separates the cargo area in the XUV) are soothing on the highway. The chassis and steering are more-than-competent in real world driving--this is not a track racer! Amenities are first rate. The new leather seating impresses, the V8 is silky sweet, and the value of OnStar should not be underestimated in comparisons. We like the new touchscreen Nav system and XM radio. Its sad that the XUV roof is being dropped in 06, being a major leap in versatility and beautifully executed. Lovable!

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  2007 GMC Yukon XL - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By jabroni - June 15 - 3:56 am

  I love driving my wifes new Yukon. Overall a really great ride. I drive 2005 Ford Truck and this GMC truck rides like a car. Ford can take a cue.

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  my second Yukon is awesome!!! - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By David Clark - June 15 - 1:31 am

  I previously owned a 2001 GMC Yukon which was very nice and rode very well even with 126,000 miles on it! I decided to buy a 2004 in December since the rebates were very good and I absolutely love it! This vehicle has so many improvements from my original vehicle and have 30,000 miles on it without a single problem. I will continue to purchase GMC Yukons as a work and pleasure vehicle for years to come. Drive one today and you will not be dissapointed!

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  I love my Envoy! - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Lori - June 13 - 8:29 pm

  I absolutely love the GMC Envoy. I shopped for 6 months looking at similar vehichles and am very happy with my choice. The dealer was wonderful and so was GMAC financing. There was a little ping sound with my interior lights, so I just took it in and they fixed it right away, while I waited for free. There are no loopholes in their warranty, unlike my husbands experience with his Ford Explorer a few years ago.

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  Best I have ever purchased - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Thomas Gray - June 13 - 4:46 pm

  This midsize SUV has to be one of the smoothest riding American built SUVs of its class. It handles extremely well. Vision of the road is superior as well. The leg room in the front is the best that I test drove. Very happy with it so far.

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  First American Car - Very Impressed - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By drweby - June 10 - 6:21 pm

  2005 Envoy Denali - Ive owned a lot of cars but this is my first American car. The interior is beautiful, solid, and very comfortable. Theres a button for everything, and I love that! I love the look of the chrome accents on the outside, and the grille is an awesome design. The lamenated glass and sound proofing in the Denali edition make the inside very quiet. The only thing I kind of have a gripe about is the paint isnt as smooth as it could be. In that department the imports still rule.

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  Cant beat an American Truck - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Portmanblaze - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck with 80k miles on it knowing that the old 350 had a lot more time left. We make trips to Michigan several times a year from the East coast and you can hardly feel the ride in this truck. All passengers are comfortible and have plenty of room to strech out. This truck also stands out in a crowd b/c of its trim pkg from the factory. However the truck could use larger sway bars to prevent roll and something to prevent pitching when braking.

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  GMC Sierra Denali - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By RR924 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I knew I had to get a truck, but I wasnt all that excited about it. Weve always had them, but I had always driven a large sedan or SUV. I was amazed at what came standard on the Denali. This trucks standard equipment has all the luxury of the SUVs plus all of the utility of a full-size truck with 325hp, full time 4WD and Quadrasteer. The handling and performance of this truck is better than any other truck Ive driven. The Denali is excellent in highway and city traffic as well as being very easy to get into and out of tight spaces. People stop me on the street and in parking lots to talk about this truck, thats never happend to me before.

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  Great Truck - 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ted - June 9 - 7:23 pm

  Have my new 2500HD 4W for a month now and very pleased. Overall truck is superb and beats the heck out of my older Dodge. Pulls my boat like its not there. Ride is good and mileage is running avg of 17 mpg. I got the split buckets with console and love it. Ditto the comment that tires could be a bit larger. Really very happy with the purchase.