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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  Loving it! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Gran 1 - September 13 - 2:46 pm

  Traded in 2005 Cadillac CTS -- Terrain runs "rings" around comfort; smoother more quiet ride; and 4 cyl. feels like 6 or above. This is my "dream" vehicle and Im very happy. Also have 2003 Chevy Venture and this is much smoother and more stable. XOXOXOX

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  Best bang for the buck...by far - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Billy_C - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Want a big, luxury SUV? Deck out an XL with SLT trim and save some big $$. Lexus and Caddillac cannot show me 20+K worth of advantages over this ride. Its got big power, lots of room, all creature comforts and a feel- good vibe. Best vehicle Ive ever purchased.

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  Fine truck. Car like ride. - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Marty Sodak - September 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Denali, coming off a 2001 Excursion. I do miss the interior room, but this is a much more advanced vehicle. It is comfortable, quiet, well appointed, and less expensive than the Escalade. Fuel economy is only 15, but not surprising with all that power. Also, the climte control with dual sided controls works quite well.

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  Quadrasteer Rocks!!! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KellyA - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I got what may be the last 2WD Quadrasteer in the contry, 700 miles from home, and worth the trip to pick it up. I hear it will be available in 4WD only in 2005. This truck is a dream to drive. It is easier to park in a crowded parking lo than the Ford Ranger I had before. I am still amazed by how tight it will turn. GMCs commercials dont do it justice. The 5.3 liter engine is very powerful, but I still average 19 MPG highway, and just finished our first road trip pulling my 1500 lb boat trailer, we still averaged 17 MPG! The cab is very comfortable for day long drives, spacious and quiet.

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  Tops - 2000 GMC Yukon
  By Stockbroker - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I have owned luxury cars that didnt ride this nice. We currently have a BMW 5 series, but this is the family vehicle of choice for everything from the weekly trip to the store, to our 835 mile trip back to our hometown. The only issue was a rattle in the driver door that was fixed with one visit for no fee. We opted for the bigger engine, and it has been wonderful. I stopped buying GM cars many years ago because of poor quality, but wife talked me into giving them one more try (wifes father worked for GM for over 20 years), and Im glad we did.

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  It keeps rollin - 1994 GMC Jimmy
  By ademmon - September 11 - 2:00 am

  It is a great SUV. This is the one that I have always wanted since I was a Teenager.

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  BUY ONE NOW!!! YOULL LOVE IT!!!!! - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By SKIP - September 10 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED! I HAVE HAD ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IN THE SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. I WORK IN THE AUTO MOTIVE FIELD AND AM VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS. I SEE THE REVIEWS ON OTHER MAKES IE: BMW X5 4.6is AWD WITH A 340 HP MOTOR THAT HAS A MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY OF 6000 LBS. MY LITTLE INLINE SIX IS RATED @ 6100 LBS!! THE ENVOY IS BIGGER INSIDE AND OUT YET HAS A CURB WEIGHT THATS 224 LBS LESS, HAS A LONGER WHEELBASE , BUT HAS A TIGHTER TURNING RADIUS!! SURE ITS NOT GERMAN ENGINEERED ALL THIS AND I STILL SAVED $35,000 OVER THE BEEMER. AM I A HAPPY CAMPER??? YOU BET!!!-

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  Canyon 2.8L Duramax SLE With All Terrain Package - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Grahamwoz - September 6 - 11:23 pm

  Needed something with more room and better carrying capability than the Jeep I was driving. Walked in to the dealer and saw they had 2 of the new Canyons with the 2.8L Duramax engine. Was an expensive up grade from the 3.6L gas BUT having owned it a month totally worth it: 1. Around town/highway getting 25 mpg avg 2. On a recent drive from Portland OR to San Francisco it did it on one tank of diesel (it must hold more than 21 gallons when topped off) and with it showing 30 mpg at highway speeds all the way (plus its 4WD) 3. Fully loaded with 5 adults and 5 sets of camping gear in the Mountains you would think it was hauling just me, the engine and gear box are fantasic. My wife did not like the ride or roughness of the Jeep so when I bought this I did not tell her it was a diesel, it was only a week later, having riden in it a number of times, she was stood next to it when I used the remote start that she said "your engine is making a funny noise" Over all car like ride on the open road, pick up truck for carrying loads (same length but slightly narrow than a full size truck) and an engine that as all the power I need and then more but makes me smile when I see the price of diesel is $0.50 lower than gas where I live.

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  Our 2007 GMC Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By JJ Alapar - September 3 - 12:13 pm

  Fun to drive vehicle. Convenience of a very large SUV packaged with the drive handling, accesories, amenities & styling of a premium luxury sedan. We were set on buying a competitor (and imported) SUV vehicle, but the Acadia had everything we wanted and more for the price. Safety was a key point. Good gas mileage for an AWD optioned car, too.

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  95 Safari Conversion - 1995 GMC Safari
  By jeklnhyd - September 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my second astro/safari conversion. The only reason they are not being driven is because they were both totalled out in wrecks. Anyways, they were both perfect. TV/VCR for my kids, never had any major problems whatsoever out of these vans. The 4.3 v6 got about 17mpg but NEVER broke down and had plenty of power. I bought the first one with 100k and it had 140k when wrecked, my second one i bought with 70k and wrecked it with 111k. I love these vans!