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:

• 

  Very happy - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By larry moore - December 24 - 4:32 pm

  We are the original owners and are very happy with our first 4x4 vehicle. We cannot believe how great the ride is for being a 4x4. The performance is great with the 4.3 engine. We drive for 7 hrs to get up north in the summer and we both feel fresh, even tho we each sat in the same position all the way. We make sure that it is maintained regularly. We are seniors and are depending on never getting rid of our 2002 Sonoma 4x4 extended cab.

• 

  Great Crossover - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By ronovia - December 22 - 8:46 pm

  Previously owned SUVs are a 1997 Tahoe and a 2000 Mountaineer, and additionally in the past 20 years we have owned vehicles from VW, Ford, Nissan, Volvo, Porche, and BMW. We are very much brand agnostic, so drove every available similar SUV. The Porche wasnt really a consideration, due to price, and wasnt an all around favorite anyway. We really liked Buicks sibling of the Acadia, but the local dealer didnt have one equipped the way we liked. Id have a hard time rating any car a 10 in more than one or two categories, so I consider 9 excellent. This is an excellent all-around vehicle, but although pleasant to drive, I cant say fun-to- drive. Gas mileage has been in the 20 mpg range.

• 

  Love it so far - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Jason - December 21 - 11:22 pm

  I have owned my Canyon for a month now and this being my first truck I love it! It has plenty of power and the look is great, only thing I have any sort of problem with is the rear seat is a little shallow but I dont sit there so no biggie. I would recommend this truck to anyone who wants a small truck that has good gas mileage and lots of HP.

• 

  Unbelievably reliable-original engine - 1992 GMC Sonoma
  By Jace Espy - December 21 - 4:52 pm

  "Jenny" as we call her was given to me after my father passed away about 11 years ago. At first I didnt drive her for about a year. It had 33,000 miles when I got her. Then I started using her for work. She has a 2.8L V6 with a five-speed and pretty much everything you could get on one of these trucks. Everyday, for the next two years I towed a 3000lb generator load bank and close to 1000lbs of tools and equipment around. I was putting 1000 miles a week or more on her. Never any problems except brakes. When I stopped this job she ran about 20,000 miles a year for the next 7 years. After 300,000 miles Ive only replaced a tranny 3 clutches, two alternators and Ive never been stranded.

• 

  Goodbye Dodge Durango...Hello Gmc Yukon! - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By gmc convert - December 21 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of a 99 Durango with all the toys. I found My 02 Denali XL to be more enjoyable to drive. The fuel milage was the same with the 6 liter Yukon as it was with my much smaller 5.2 liter Durango. The ride is super and I love my Yukon from the roomy trunk to the leather interior with the Bose audio system, all the way up to the 6 liter engine that pulls my ski boat with not even a wimper.

• 

  Good truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Sofa3 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Truck.........Nothing else that I could ask for. Handles great, Drives like a car, but works like a truck.

• 

  4WD forever - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By DRB - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Great truck with Z71 package. I love the pushbutton 4WD. You can have it in auto 4WD for slippery conditions in snow or hit 4wd Hi or Low and have a full time 4WD with locking differentials. All 4 wheels will drive through mud and sand. Out performs Ford 4WD trucks every time. Fold away mirrors are great for car washes. I have black and looks sharp when clean. The 5.3 Vortec V8 has plenty of power and good gas mileage (18.3 mpg) in town.

• 

  LOVE MY ENVOY - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By villegas - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I GOT MY ENVOY IN SEPTEMBER 2003. I LOVE DRIVING IT I FEEL VERY SAFE ON THE FREEWAY. I TRAVEL ALOT AND HAVE NO COMPLAINTS. WEVE ALSO WENT UP TO SEQUOIA PARK AND IT WAS GREAT WITH ALL THE TURNS. THE RIDE WAS VERY SMOOTH.

• 

  Credit where its due - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By John Chang - December 19 - 10:00 am

  First off, Edmunds has an axe to grind against GM, and I cant fathom their poor review of this vehicle. This is a superb vehicle, and compares well against the truck-based and cross-over midsize SUVs. It looks sharp outside, drives strongly and smoothly and securely, and has a great looking interior. I have put on 11,000 miles in less than 5 months, and I have no reliability problems with this vehicle.

• 

  Perfect through 10,000 miles - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Bob A. Booey - December 18 - 7:56 pm

  At the 10,000 mile mark, the truck has been perfect. Excellent power, handing, and turning radius make this a great vehicle for hauling the family and friends to basketball, baseball, gymnastics, or wherever we are going. Simply put, this truck has lived up to, and exceeded, all my expectations.