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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  Love it, my all time favorite - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By cmf - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Im not a car person but now I am. Ive owned a previous SUV and it was a good car but this one is superior. I travel alot and my husband is out of town often so I have comfort with the On Star system, satellite radio for those remote areas.

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  Kids Are Grown, STILL LOVE IT ! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Roberta - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Our kids are grown,and I am usually the only one in the car,but it is the best thing I did for myself. You can get in and out of the tightest mall spaces,turn on a dimewhile sitting heads and shoulders above everybody else. I love that I could go to Homegoods and decide to take advantage of that beautiful 3x6 double glass curio case, and fit it in without having to leave the extra seats home,to fit it in.Not to mention,to load and unload the cargo area is the lightest,easiest thing ever.The Denali is the most omfortable"Big Boy". I will get one again.Love GM products,and this baby is exactly like The Caddie Escalade..

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  GMC Hard to Beat - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By William henry - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely almost 3 years trouble free use, everything from pleasure driving (500 mile trips) to hauling hay or livestock. Never a wimper, never a miss. Pull a 4,000 pound tractor plus implements and trailer and you never know you have anything in tow using the tow mode. Will surely buy another.

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  I love my denali - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By connied - March 1 - 2:00 am

  We bought an 03 gmc denali in december and got 0% financing. I love the navigation system and xm satalite radio. My husband is almost a foot taller than me and the seat and mirrors adjust to my setting when I push the remote.

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  Happy with suv angry with dealer - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By AECHEZ - February 29 - 2:00 am

  This is the best suv I have ever had I have had it for a year and my first problem occured this month with a thumping in the front end when I hit minor road bumps.Unfortunetly I am not happy with CERAMI PONTIAC in New Jersey with their service dept.I buy a $34,000 suv and I couldnt even get a loaner from the dealership for the day go figure they rather lose someones business than give them a $30,00 dollar loaner.Anyway I reccomend the suv but I dont reccomend Cerami Pontiac in NEW JERSEY.

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  Excellent Truck - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Mrgreen - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, performance and getting 20+ mpg in mixed driving. This truck is heads above my Sonoma and much more solid than the Dakota I drove. Room for wife, daughter and all our gear. Quiet smooth cruising.

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  I learned to drive in this thing! - 1995 GMC Jimmy
  By maiden87 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The Jimmy runs and idles smoothly. When in a fender-bender, the Jimmy was driven away with nothing more than a bent exhaust pipe and a dent and scratch about three inches in diameter on its back bumper while the other vehicle was basically totaled the owner was not able to drive away. The only real problems I’ve ever had were that the microchip which controls things like the windshield wipers burns out rather easily, and the transmission recently had to be replaced completely.

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  just right - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By bochev - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Very solid, well built and functional vehicle. Smooth and refined engine even without the overhead cams and the extra valves. Has more than enough power to haul the whole family + guests to the ski slopes. Better than expected fuel economy for this kind of vehicle. I was impressed by the quiet and rattle free interior and the overall build quality, especially considering the experience we had with our 2001 RAV4 (a rattle in the dashbord since day 1, cargo area panel falling off, warped plastic mouldings on the doors and warped brake rotors in just first 3 months of ownership)

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  Great to Drive - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Joeagrant. - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Not since I had my 5.0 liter Mustang, have I sat around trying to think of places that I can drive to. I added a Gibson exhaust, and a AEM Brute Force intake. That gave it more power, and better gas milage. Adding a bug/stone deflecter decreased the mileage by 1 MPG.

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  I LOVE THIS THING - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By the_dubster98 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  the only thing that makes me mad is the A.I.R pump has already gone out on it..other then that i love this thing...