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:

• 

  Excellent - 2008 GMC Yukon XL
  By Marlene - December 18 - 10:53 pm

  The engine is a 6.3, 16 miles in city, and on trips from Pataskala, OH, to Cold Spring, KY I can average 21 - 24 miles to the gallon. Why can you not rate this SUV as an excellent buy? My daughter and her family have taken it to N.C. from Cold Spring, KY, and they average 18.5 to 21 mpg. You have the american people thinking they cannot get the big GMC, and get good gas mileage. Our neighbors bought a Surburban after we told them about how good the gas mileage is on ours. We also told another neighbor who told us they didnt think they could afford putting gas into one. They now have a 2008. In our subdivision of about 120 houses there are over a dozen GMCs or Suburbans.

• 

  Nice little pickup - 2004 GMC Sonoma
  By Hawk - December 18 - 6:08 am

  Just bought this truck and so far Im very happy with it. Prefer the SLS model so I can customize to my own taste. Excellent ride and handling. Doesnt feel like a truck. No bouncing and swaying. Great acceleration, good pull up hill. Gas mileage is a little rough, but with some minor modifications, should be able to get into the 20s. Buy this truck. Better ride, handling and I expect better longevity than the competition. Great truck for the price. Excellent value.

• 

  Dont buy one of these - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By sponzo - December 16 - 10:19 pm

  I have owned this car for four years and have had numerous electrical problems that were never solved, even by certified GMC dealer service shops. The transmission went at 72,000 miles, ending up in pieces in the oil pan. It has run rough after the 100K mile mark, a few times spewing transmission fluid all over the engine and causing it to smoke. The last time I took it for a drive, the engine spontaneously caught fire while I was driving. I pulled over and watched the entire SUV be overtaken in flames, including the interior and all personal belongings inside. Nothing was salvagable. The car had only 125K miles.

• 

  Beats the Explorer by 1.1 mile - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Polu - December 16 - 7:33 pm

  The Envoy obviously has the zest when accelerating, but did not feel too responsive in city stop and go. There is also a noticeable body lean driving around corners. However, overall performance, handsome looks, and the loaded features out weights all this; especially the Explorer.

• 

  Great Buy - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By hadley - December 13 - 3:56 pm

  Ive had this truck now for 4 months and have been very pleased with it. Biggest complaint is the interior. The overall layout looks great (pure truck interior), but the seat material looks to be made from the same material as the headliner in my prev last gen Chevy-it collects lint and your clothes stick to it. The floor under the backseat in the ex-cab isnt flat like the crew-hard to stick two 10" subs under. The gas mileage is lower, but what do expect from a bigger/heavier truck-get 17.5/20.5. However, it is faster than the last 4.8Ls Ive owned-3rd one now. This has a great ride quality, is super quiet and looks wonderful. Definitely GMs best truck yet.

• 

  Now Im stuck - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Brent - December 13 - 11:19 am

  I would love to trade this thing in but, the dealer just laughs and points at an endless line of used Envoys that theyre also stuck with. Now I know why they were giving these away. My motorcycle has less wind noise, and there is always some sort of rattle. There has been a clanking sound, like somethings loose under it ever since we got it and even with the numerous trips to the dealer for all the other problems they never found it. And now that its out of warranty every time you start it the reduced power light comes on and runs rough until you shut it off for a few minutes then start it again. I advise against buying an Envoy, but if you still want one I have one for sale real cheap.

• 

  Gorgeous in every way! - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By TXGREEK - December 12 - 10:25 pm

  By far the best ever built. Drives like my Benz. Get it loaded and you wont want to get out of the vehicle. Unbelieveable ride and power. Find myself looking for excuses to drive.

• 

  first trip - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By golfer - December 12 - 12:06 am

  I just returned from a 3000 mi trip with my new gmc. Great truck on the hi way with the 5.3 flex fuel engine and active fuel management. I could not tell when it shifted from 4 to 8 cylinders or back again, Plenty of passing power and plenty of storage room inside for luggage etc. On Star and Xm radio are amazing!

• 

  My First Truck - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By DoninVirginia - December 10 - 8:40 am

  This is the first true truck that Ive owned (to distinquish it from the three SUVs that I previously owned). I can honestly say that Im very happy with my purchase. I bought it at end of model year, so the incentives and pricing were just too good to pass up. Some reviewers have complained that the interior is not as good as they thought it should be. I contend that this vehicle is not a sedan and, therefore, their expectations are not realistic. Im disappointed that the fog lamp button is not accessible through the light panel on an "after market" fog lamp installation. The gas mileage is also below expectations (likely due to wind drag from the tailgate).

• 

  Best truck for the money! - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Vinny - December 10 - 12:05 am

  I have owned my 01 Yukon for about 2 years now and it has been very good to me. I currently have 66k miles and do about 12,000 a year and it gets reasonably good gas mileage for its size. I push the truck a little hard and it still gets 15 mpg(higher if I drive more conservatively). Overall I love the Yukon. It looks great, drives very nice, even with aftermarket 20 wheels and 11 wide tires, and it never has any issues. Just do the average scheduled maintenance and the truck will run forever. 4X4 takes on the New England snow with ease, which is great because I usaully have to leave my house before the roads are plowed. I would definitely buy another GM full-size SUV. The best!