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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  Oh yeah Baby - 2004 GMC Sonoma
  By David - January 30 - 9:41 pm

  Ive owned this car for 2.5 years and Ive not had one problem with it and Im up to 50k miles. The drive is smooth and comfortable. Its got great pickup on the freeway. The only 3 things I dont like is the gas mileage, wide turn radius and the fact that my front windshield cracked after sitting in 104 heat during the summer for several with the windows rolled up...guess it couldnt handle the heat.

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  Best Truck on the market - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Russell - January 30 - 1:30 pm

  Original owner. 130k miles. RELIABILITY-Ive only had 2 problems, and 1 (speedometer) was a recall. The catalytic converter went out at 115k, but other than that, no rattles, no squeaks, not even a brake job. Overall reliability is good, better than my Toyota Matrix. DRIVETRAIN-GM says this V6 has less HP than Fords, but this pickup (w/3.42 rear end) sure feels stronger than my brothers (w/3.55). No oil leaks at 130k, no slips in the tranny. INTERIOR-I like it, but most auto critics say it looks cheap. Seats are plush and ride is comfy. Overall reliability may belong to Honda/Toyota, but GMs powertrain sold me. None of the tranny problems typical of Hondas, better engines than Toyota.

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  Love My Yukon! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By My03Yukon - January 29 - 9:20 pm

  I bought my Yukon brand new. I absolutely fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I knew I had to have it. It rides great, my kids are comfortable, & Im comfortable driving it. The third row comes out, so when we have company from out of state we put the seats in and when its just us we take the seats out. Mileage is good too.

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  DENALI - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GAGZ - January 28 - 1:33 am

  I just bought this truck, it now has about 6,000m on it. I LOVE it. Lots of power, tows great, very comfortable. Fuel economy stinks but what do you expect with a 6.2L V8? I love the lines of the body and the interior has plenty of buttons! I really dont have any complaints, although for the money i should get a backup camera... Oh ya, and its all time 4-wheel drive, i dont like that at all! NO burnouts!

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  Still love it! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By LEIF - January 27 - 9:26 pm

  I bought my Yukon in 2004. It is now Jan 2008. I bought it as a primary vehicle. There are many things I like about it. 1) That third row seat is awesome. I can drive 6 people very comfortably. 2) It has great acceleration. One obviously cannot compare it to a two seater sports car but for its size, it is very quick... its a truck! 3) Take out the rear seats and my band can get a drum set, two big PA speakers, 2 half stacks, a bass rig, and amps and guitars and still have the passenger seat open for the girl! 4) One word to describe it is practical. I recently bought a lifted Ford F350 4X4 4 door with all the bells and whistles. Was gonna sell the Yukon. I will be selling the Ford.

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  Third Yukon - 2017 GMC Yukon XL
  By Drills - January 26 - 2:20 pm

  This is my third GMC Yukon (01 SLT, 07 Denali, 2017 SLT). This truck by and far is head and shoulders above the rest. The ride is amazing, the amenities phenomenal, and the look is impressive. The only knocks I will give are the headlights and exhaust. There is no reason for a 60k vehicle with practically all LED lighting inside and out, not to have HID headlights. The halogens cheapen the look. Granted you can get higher intensity halogens, or switch out the system completely to HID, but it would be nice to have it done at the factory. Of course, the Denali comes equipped with HID headlights, but in this day and age, should halogens even be on the table? Next is the exhaust. As soon as looked under the rear and saw the cheap looking exhaust system I knew I had to make a switch. While there are a million exhaust companies out there, I wanted to find something that balanced performance with a classy look. By chance I read that Borla makes exhaust systems for GM trucks/ SUVs. I ordered one, had it installed (super easy since its custom made for that vehicle), and love it. It looks great and sounds better.

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  Great family vehicle - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By love this car - January 26 - 10:22 am

  Traded a 1996 Suburban(that I loved) for the Acadia. Gave up a little room in the back for storage, but havent really missed it. Our kids love the captains chairs in the second row, and there is plenty of room in the third row for our teenager. Plenty of cup holders, and I like the seperate radio option for the back (headphones required). Many compliments on this vehicle. Looking forward to taking a long trip.

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  My GMC Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Jo Randall - January 24 - 7:44 am

  We found this vehicle to perform great in snow. It is a comfortable ride and has plenty of storage space. I like the fact it has plenty of room to get into the back seat. The wheel well is not located forward. The only item I can see that needs adjustment is the seat belts for the center person. They should be able to fold down after applying the seat belt. They stick right up straight into your backside making for an uncomfortable ride. Other than that the vehicle is perfect in every way.

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  Great work vehicle - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By 40yearfan - January 23 - 8:02 pm

  I just love this car. Its like driving a Cadillac on a GMC budget. Quiet, powerful and handles like a sports car. It stops on a dime, corners better than any SUV Ive ever driven and sticks to the road like glue even on rain-slicked highways. With its high body placement, I have no problem driving on construction sites and dont have to worry about driving through a heavily rocked area or up/down a dirt embankment. My last vehicle was a 2004 Buick Rainier. This is the same GM body but it is miles ahead of the Rainier in every catagory. If you want a truck with class and comfort, this is your ride.

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  1996 Safari Van - 1996 GMC Safari
  By Carlos - January 22 - 4:29 pm

  These vans have several problems. Power window motors fail often, switches in Safaris also have several failures. Besides the little annoying items, that most people avoid repairing because of such a high cost. The vehicle has been reliable.