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:

• 

  as good as it gets for a family suv - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By sam27 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  i love it. it has all the room for your family and more comfort and options than expected. more cargo space in the back with the third row of seats in would be nice but in all i would say that it is the best suv i have ever drove.

• 

  The best Ive ever owned! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By gail22 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Everything is great! I think it looks like a 50 thousand dollar vehicle. Everywhere I go people say they like it. It is much better than the lincoln Aviator which I tried before I bought this.

• 

  Refinement for under $40K - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By nick12 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  The SLT is just like a caddy inside, the leather and woodgrain is the same as an Escalade. The I-6 engine is very impressive, save your money and buy this one.

• 

  The best SUV - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Lovin the Acadia! - June 3 - 5:26 am

  I bought my Acadia after test driving vehicles for over a year. I rode in Toyota, Lincoln, Lexus, BMW, Ford, Dodge, Nissan and this was the best ride by far. The price was reasonable as well. I put on some highway miles for my job and feel very safe knowing that I have onstar and AWD for these harsh Canadian winters. I am happy when I drive down the street and see people checking out my SUV. I get so many comments on it and have already had a few Lexus and BMW drivers interested in switching to the Acadia!

• 

  A superb vehicle - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Michael Kearney - June 1 - 2:46 am

  A great comfortable car

• 

  Denali XL - Awesome - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By johnnybrem - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Im on my 5th GM Tahoe/Yukon/YukonXL/Denali/DenaliXL and this one is the best yet. Everything has been improved. They must be tweaking all the time. I feel like Im driving my living room around. But unlike the Navigators Ive driven, the Denali handles superbly. I love, love, love this baby.

• 

  great - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By k9kibbles - June 1 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle, love to drive, great price, will by again, cant get enough of my envoy

• 

  best s.u.v ever made - 1992 GMC Typhoon
  By quicksuv - May 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the quickest s.u.v ever produced and its at the same time extremely confortable. this thing does 0-60mph is 5 secs enough to blow away new sport cars

• 

  Satisfied - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By NorDot - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased car. So far Im impressed with the quality, fit and finish. Handles more car like than a SUV. This is my 6th SUV and by far the best. Mileage is what I expected.

• 

  Beautiful Machine - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By JJTabu - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This Denali is a dream to drive, smooth, quiet and easy to handle. The seats make long distance travel a really enjoyment. The seperate stereo sound systems for front and back make the kids happy not to mention us adults. The view of the roadway is execellent and makes avoiding problem ahead easy to see. The 0n-Star system has help several time once when we came over a hill to witness a head on accident. On-Star has some there quickly in the remote area.