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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  Great! - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By Jerry - April 14 - 5:51 am

  This vehicle has been unbelievable! Ive already put 216,000 miles on it and the only thing replaced were the rear shocks and load leveling pump. I tow a boat 26 boat with incredible ease. Great power and handling. I owned two Ford Expeditions before and they cant hold a candle to the Yukon Denali. Great comfort (I drive over 200 miles/day). If the car went down tomorrow I would still feel I got my moneys worth. Cant wait for the next one.

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  The Perfect Van - 1990 GMC Vandura
  By I love my "baby" - April 11 - 10:26 am

  I actually own a 1982 Vandura. Ive had her since the late 80s. Her name is "Baby" she was the love of my heart back then and is very loved to this day. She has an inline 6, three on the tree. I use to love to drive her to Las Vegas or Los Angeles and sleep in her comfortable cargo area. Pee in a bucket in the morning and move on or as they use to say "keep on truckn. Shes getting old now but still runs. GMC made a very reliable van. She has never broken down on me, in fact one time the reverse quit working and a few months later fixed itself! True story. I dont drive her anymore because I cant (long story). But anyways I recomend GMC trucks. They make the best! Sincerly, JMCota

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  A GMC Home Run - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Scott McDermott - April 10 - 12:04 pm

  I have been absolutely thrilled will this vehicle. GMC really paid attention to style, feature, function and all around usability. The engine is nothing short of awesome. The power and pickup would lead you to believe you were driving a bigger V8, but without the sluggishness and bulky feel. The vehicle is very responsive, nicely and thoughtfully featured without being overstated. I buy new cars every 2-3 years and as my first GMC all I can say is that Im very pleased and impressed. Good job GMC!

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  Never 100% satisfied - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Lucille Lank - April 7 - 10:04 am

  The only things that I dont like is whenever I put my back windows down and leave my front ones up, it makes a terrible noise. Like Im in a tunnel. I have to put my front window down a bit so not to hurt my ears. My husband says getting in the vehicle is difficult. He has neck problems and cannot bend it comfortably to get in.

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  Not too shabby - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By sage4711 - April 4 - 11:55 pm

  Just drove five hundred miles after purchase and it was fun. I did have a lead foot and still averaged 22.6 (with almost an eighty mph average). Fit and finish very good. I love the quiet cabin and usb interface. Rain, snow, ice, rain, and snow all handled by awd wonderfully. Son loved to drive and his friends loved the rear seat. Audio was rated 9 by a bunch of sixteen year olds. Smooth ride with a little road vibration at 75 mph. GMC did well with this rig. I hope reliability holds up. Cargo room could be a few cubes more but no worries. I would not hesitate to buy this CUV it is very smooth and nice.

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  Very Happy! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By A.Mayes - April 4 - 10:15 pm

  Me and my wife researched this vehicle and test drove one before we committed to buy one. I am 62" and there is plenty of room for me and my wife, our rear facing car seat fits behind the passenger seat and there is still plenty of room. With our four cylinder we averaged 26 mpg (computer was 1 mpg off), we filled it with premium and got 30 mpg. Very pleased with the mileage and comfort.

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  Envoy is better than benz. - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Terence H. - April 3 - 9:42 pm

  I have owned my Gmc Envoy for about two years now. I bought it used with 33,000 miles on it. This SUV has so much power. I love looking at the cars in my review mirror after I have left them in the dust. My envoy has been very reliable. I hear so much about how mercedes has gone down in quality. Well with the envoy you get the upscale look with great power style and comfort. Buy an envoy you will be happy.

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  Great first car - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Cory Sykes - April 1 - 2:51 pm

  It is a very good truck. Very dependable and good on gas for a truck. The only complaint is the driver side door speaker has blown out. other than that it is a very enjoyable truck that surprisingly hasnt gotten stuck in any areas.

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  Load er up! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By TrackMan - March 28 - 10:51 pm

  I bought my 2004 Yukon 4x4 new, and I am content on keeping it. It delivers lots of power and is a very safe SUV to drive in all kinds of conditions. It will pull about anything you can hook up to it, yet will result in good fuel economy for something this big. In the past when I had to get a group of kids somewhere not far away, I had sometimes 18-20 kids in it (took to the side roads of course). Besides having a couple of small items go wrong, it has been pretty much a perfect vehicle. If you are looking for a load er up and go set of wheels, you wont go wrong with a Yukon!

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  THIS IS THE BEST! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By rOBIN - March 28 - 5:33 am

  I am absolutely beside myself with this SUV. Gmc, way to go. I have pride again in the American made vehicle. I have owned GMC/Chevys on and off through out the years, my husband & I bought a Honda a few years back. While that is a nice ride it just is not like riding in an American made /designed vehicle this Terrain will put GMC back on top. I just hope it last as long as my Chevy cavalier (132,000) miles I put on that little car. American made and I am in love once again!!! The pick up on the 4 cyl is unbelievable, the peace and quiet once in the veh is wonderful. WAY TO GO GMC! xxo