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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  Great Truck - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By Mike - May 13 - 1:37 pm

  Just so nobody gets confused, after reading all of the other reviews the biggest complaint was fuel economy. I gave fuel economy a 10 because I knew what I was getting into and the fuel economy is expected per the size and weight of the vehicle. I have owned 17 cars and the thus far my 2008 SLT Yukon is the best one. It has a lot of interior space it performs well on the back roads and highways the seats are very comfortable for short and long trips it is fun and easy to drive the all instruments are within arms and easily accessible and the configuration of all instruments are easily learned.

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  2500 Yukon XL - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By kinggr - May 13 - 10:06 am

  Excellent vehicle for hauling whatever you need. Gas mileage isnt that great, but the utility is excellent, and the Quadrasteer option is amazing.

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  Worst truck ever owned in 40 years - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mad1980 - May 12 - 6:41 pm

  6 month update. Gm has not fixed any thing since new. Radio GPS headlights are still awfull. 5 Recalls so far. New problems leather coming off seats,look like 50 year old bomber jacket. Dash settings constantly reset, rattles every where,seems dealer can not hear it. Was getting 16 mpg,after fire flash recall dropped to 13-14,dealer says that was expected. (not when I bought it), Tried to trade it in on new Toyota,they would not take it. $50k pos. Advertised as professional grade, the only thing I am getting professional at is taking it to the dealer

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  SLT 4x4 Yukon - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Rob - May 12 - 5:43 pm

  After coming from a BMW X5 pile of junk, this Yukon is a dream come true. Very comfortable to drive, pleanty of power, love the xm & navigation with back up camera. Not a single problem so far, and gas mileage is much better than the BMW. I look at it as the cost of transportation, how else are you going to get 4-7 people around in one vehicle?

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  I love my GMC - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By coolbusn mom - May 12 - 5:29 pm

  I bought my Acadia the day I first seen it. It is safe and fun to drive, not to mention easy to get into and out of. Only complaint is the interior isnt easy to clean or keep clean. I am a school bus driver and safety is number one with me so believe me when I say the Acadia is tops! In the ice and snow this past year going to work was easy(The kids hate it when bus drivers make it to work) So, if you drive it once you will fall in love and if you purchase one, you will not regret it.

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  Settled - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By Lu - May 11 - 11:40 pm

  I test drove 6 vehicles before I settled for this one. This one wasnt even my 1st choice but I couldnt pass up the great deal I was getting and so far its been good. The handling is pretty good and fuel economy is what can be expected out of an AWD SUV. The vehicle comes with a lot of standard features(denali) like heated seats, remote start, etc. My only real problem is the 3rd row seat. Does not fold down to the ground and is made for children. Other models like the 2008 Toyota Sequoia and 2008 Lincoln Navigator can sit full grown adults back there and does fold down to the ground and other crossovers of GM do this so why not the full size SUVs.

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  Love my truck - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By kila - May 7 - 9:00 am

  I searched for one year to find a used one that had eveything that I wanted. Ended up with a fully loaded SLT with back up camera and power everything. I was not dissappointed. I looked at several luxury brands and none compared as far as space and quality of ride. We do a lot of trips from 200 to 500 miles and we rode in absolute comfort. Gas mileage isnt that bad for size of the truck. Visually appealing lots of second looks .

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  2008 Envoy Denali - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By hiflier - May 7 - 6:17 am

  I got the Nav Package. In contrast to another review, I think it works great! Yes, there is a learning curve, but once you are proficient it works fine! Save for the XM traffic report - it does not have. I have owned previous Nav systems with this feature and it is great! We get comments all the time on how wonderful the vehicle looks - it looks like GM hit the mark on this vehicle. My wife drives is the primary driver and she absolutely loves this car over the Saturn ION we traded for it. Yes, the gas mileage went down with the trade, but the ride and the sense of feeling safe in a larger vehicle was worth the trade-off!

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  Love the Terrian, but.... - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By dkoontz - May 5 - 7:23 pm

  Have had my Terrian for about 6 weeks and have driven 2200 miles so far. Overall, the vehicle exceeds my expectations. It seems well built, solid and quiet on the road, and is loaded with features. A great value! My one concern (and its a big one) is highway MPG. With the 4 cylinder, the Terrain is EPA rated at 22 City/32 Highway. So far my "local" mileage has been acceptable, in the 24-26 MPG range however my highway mileage hasnt been any better at 26. My primary reason for picking the Terrain was its best in class highway mileage, but so far its not meeting expectation. Hopefully, Ill see improvements in the future as the engine gets more broken in.

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  Think Twice About GMC - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By YukonOwner - May 5 - 12:36 pm

  My first American vehicle will be my last. We bought this vehicle to tow a camper. We sold the camper so we can get rid of the Yukon before it breaks again. At just over 40,000, I spent nearly $2,000 replacing the motor that controls the 4x4 system. Wait, not only did the motor go out but so did the buttons on the control panel. Although I live in Colorado and do use the 4x4 features, I shouldnt have to spend $2K on a $40K vehicle to replace something that isnt used all that often. If you need room, this vehicle definately has room. I can haul 8 skiers, put their goods in the back and put skis and boards on the roof in a ski box. It takes 8 skiers to pay for the gas.