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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  Not quite good enough - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By tomedog - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Looks great, well appointed, "clunk" in transmission and whistling noise on acceleration is very dissappointing

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  Its a classic.. - 2000 GMC Sierra Classic 2500
  By msteele-forducks - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck to keep,it already had a ton of miles on it.It had the 5.7 powerplant which was nice(I got a backup starter for 39.99)Parts for the truck are very inexpensive to say the least.Im now pushing 180,000 miles on it and it does everything I want it to do.Ive made a few modifications to the engine and Im getting 14cty,18Hwy.I hope to get 500,000 miles out of this thing.By the way the tranny is still original and the engine doesnt use a drop of oil as of today.The room is fantastic when hittin the marsh with my friends for a day of wingshooting.I like to be able to work on something if it needs it and I can do that with this truck.

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  Power Plus - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By jamminjay - February 28 - 10:00 am

  2003 Sierra with 8.1 liter 345 HP and Alison Auto. Plenty of power for towing. A little hestitant on take off when cold. 20,000 miles in 6 months and it runs like day 1. Fuel mileage is absolutely HORRENDOUS!!!! Towing an enclosed race car trailer x-country avg. mileage = 7.95. Driving enmpty no load at all avg. mileage = 12.98.

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  Mixed Review - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Mixed Reviews - February 21 - 1:40 pm

  I was torn between the MDX and the Arcadia. By the time I built similiar features there was only a $2000 price difference between the two . I believe the resale value will be an issue. The Arcadia rides very well but doesnt carry the prestige. You hear road noise and the transmission stinks. They dont have full leather seats (fabric on the corner of the front seats). The gas milege in the city is really bad. On the highway its much better. Ive only had the truck 2 weeks and wake up every morning questioning the decision.

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  Its a truck - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Dean Kano - February 7 - 1:52 am

  Wanted a SLT CC LB 2WD. Unfortunately for some reason the two local dealers decided that anyone wanting a LB would get it in white and the cloth seats of a SLE trim. A 6 bed isnt what I would call a long bed but definitely better than a 5 bed. Again only in white so that was that and ended up with a SB. Ride isnt the greatest but will wait till 5K miles when everything is broken in before upgrading to Bilsteins and those brake pads need to go as I cant be rinsing down the rims everytime I drive the truck due to that black residual dust. For me I just wanted out of a full sized truck and didnt care for the Toyota leaving the only other options a Canyon or a Colorado.

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  GMC Sierra 1500 - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gmcgfx - February 6 - 12:30 pm

  I have a GMC Sierra I bought second-hand with the optional GFX package. I really like the extra exterior/interior features such as two tone paint, stripe on the side, carbon fibre dash, white gauges etc. At first the 4WD did not work, however after a quick cleaning of the connection from the wire bundle to the solenoid on the side of the transfer case, I have had no problems. It came with the 5.3L aluminum block engine and pulls quite hard. Tow/Haul mode is great for uphill towing. The cab had an annoying grinding noise which was quickly remedied with some hockey tape on the cab door latches. Overall, a great work truck and daily driver.

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  A V-8 WOULD MAKE IT GREAT - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By kfjr1 - February 2 - 10:00 am

  This is our first SUV. I think we are now converts. The Envoy is comfortable on long trips thogh you it needs to stop to often at the fuel pump. Just took it cross country and back with no problems except a V-8 would have helped in the mountains.

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  Mostly Happy - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By RMcGee - February 1 - 10:50 pm

  As soon as I saw this vehicle I loved it. Victory Red w/ GMC 20" wheels. I am on my 3rd year and just under 36k miles. I have pulled my 22 boat to the Ozarks which is around 300 miles each way through some hilly country. The truck shifts down a lot to keep up the RPMs. The interior seems a little on the cheap side & reminds me of some Mattel toys I had as a kid. I did have the intermediate shaft in the steering fixed at 25k miles. Now that my warranty is up my check engine light is on and I guess the vaccum canister needs replaced which is $500(for plastic). Overall I love the truck and use it for everything from towing to hauling. I just wish the standard warranty was 100k.

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  Yukonized By the 2003! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Lex - January 26 - 2:00 am

  After 5 years of searching for the perfect vehicle, I settled on purchasing the Pewter Chevy 02 Tahoe. With the great financing they offered, you cant beat it. But, before buying it, I figured why not sit in the Yukon since its GMs other cool SUV. OH! MY! GOD! I was COMPLETELY blown away by this vehicle. The 2 trucks ride about the same; but all of the added little things sold me on this truck. The "in town" gas mileage is less than efficient; but, the highway mileage is pretty good for that big truck.

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  Lets Ride - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By Millerkjs - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Great for towing and getting around town. I do wish they would release a duramax version. The 2500 is stiffer, but handles a 30 snowmobile trailer with ease.