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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  WOW! What a truck! - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By kidq - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Only had this truck one week. Got the Yukon XL SLT model seats eight. We tried out 5 other gmc/chevys and learned quite a lot. 1) You cant get the Bose stereo in 9 passenger. You need the Bose. The stock stereo is tinny and cant be adjusted to sound good at all. The rear audio/hvac controls work great for the kids. Once seated in the back row, a 6 footer can sit comfortably. The XM satelite radio gets 120 channels plus including disney,sports, country, and a few rock stations. The leather is nice & all the seats are comfortable. Power with the 5.3 is good, mileage has been about 15 so far. Best news? $10k off the sticker!

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  Leary - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By EastWALady - September 4 - 3:06 am

  We bought our 07 new with just 57 miles on it, in feb 2008. At 26,000 miles we now have the oil issue. Not sure if its burning oil, dripping oil or what. The dealership is doing the consumption testing and I have told them if I loose my engine and Im under my 100,000 warranty, their not going to like me. Family really likes the rig and enjoys rides in it. Great for shopping or vacation trips. Looking at upgrading to a 2010 or 2011 Yukon xl. I had the dealer remove his decals, why should they get free advertising from me? Of course the salesman hesitated, but when I told him I would charge them a month to advertise, decals came off.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By steve - September 2 - 7:11 pm

  Great little SUV. Have had no problems other than a wheel bearing at 65K. Very luxurious. Has every option under the sun and is very well built. I would buy it in a heartbeat again. The only thing I would like different is maybe a little better mileage but for an SUV thats what you get, so you live with it.

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  I love it - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mikem - September 1 - 4:56 pm

  This is my first truck since my 81 Chevy, which was a base truck. I love everything about this truck, comfort, drivability, interior room, and overall apperance. I have the tow package and really like the added ride height. Although this is just a step up from a base truck, it has everything I want. Nice stero, excellent a/c, excellent visibility, and just plain fun to drive. Still only in the 15 mpg range which I hope will improve. But love the power of the small v-8.

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  If you need one, buy one - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By rohada - September 1 - 12:52 pm

  Overall these are solid dependable vehicles, this is our 3rd one. We had a 1978 and a 1982. If you buy one with around 90k, expect to do about $3500 in maintenance, as a handful of expensive repairs will be needed between 90k and 120k. I bought mine with about 135k and all those things had been done at the dealership.

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  Mt third Acadia - 2016 GMC Acadia
  By MARTIN NEMENYI - September 1 - 11:34 am

  This is my third one and I still like it quite a bit. I downsized from a Chevy Suburban since my kids were grown. This is a great size.

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  You Can Yukon Too - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By P Fred - August 30 - 8:20 pm

  Love it! I needed a larger vehicle to haul many people and many things around. I can seat nine people comfortably! My front seating area has the optional third seat or the console flips down as an arm rest or acts as a pass through for handing items to passengers in the middle seats. True, the gas mileage is bad, but I like being up off the roadway. I am glad for the auto lock on the keyring which allows me to either unlock just the driver door only or hit it twice to unlock all doors. Seats flip up in third row for additional cargo space. I use every bit of this vehicle and would definitely buy another.

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  My Envoy - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By Smokey - August 28 - 4:53 pm

  I traded in a 2007 Chevy Silverado crew cab that got 24 to 26 miles per gallon. My Envoy gets terrible gas mileage which is a bummer. Steering is hard to get used to, my truck was much smoother. Envoy is quiet as was my truck. I guess if you want something that is quiet, smooth, and gets good mileage buy a Silverado crew cab. Costs less than the Envoy and has much more room inside.

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  Excellent car! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By AMI PAPADOPULO - August 27 - 9:41 pm

  When my husband and I sat in the Denali, after test driving the Tahoe and Yukon, we exchanged knowing glance that this was "The Car", although it was more than we planned to spend. We both loved the ride and the feel of this vehicle. We agreed, this surpassed all the others. We had our 1st child, who fit into our Denali 22" life style well, then the unexpected happened. My husband died of a heart attack at 38. I still loved our Denali, however, I will not be needing all of the vehicle room I once thought. I chose a different cat, however, I will always be very fond of our Denali.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By CW - August 26 - 11:28 am

  This is a very nice vehicle, my wife loves the smooth ride. I enjoy knowing my family is safe with the AWD stabletrac system. Avg 14 MPG, but I knew that prior to purchasing (a small price to pay for safety and luxury).