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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  Nice truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Frank Bigelow - October 31 - 9:20 am

  I love my truck so far it has a lot of power and it rides awesome. It is very comfortable and quiet inside. I would recommend it.

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  Gmc - 2018 GMC Terrain
  By Jim - October 28 - 10:53 pm

  Great mid size suv

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  MY YUKON XL - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Rhoda/Han - October 24 - 10:00 am

  ITS ONE OF A KIND, TO DRIVE. STEERING CONTROL IS GREAT--LIKE YOURE DRIVING A CAR. THE BRAKES ARE AWESOME TOO. LOVE THE CARGO ROOM. THE ENGINE IS THE BEST. A SAFE PLACE FOR THE KIDS TO RIDE IN. I LOVE MY YUKON.

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  best suv - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By infinit - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had my fair share of suvs in my opinion most of them are terrible. I havve also test driven the ones i have not owned. By far the yukon denali xl is the best overall.. My only concern is falling asleep because this vehicle drives itself. It feels like a $80,000 sedan and it even parallel parks like a cooper.

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  The best SUV ever owned - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By papilove2201 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Has alot of pick and go. Smooth ride and enough power to easily pull a 28 boat up a ramp without a struggle.

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  Driver Review - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By nilesrod - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Very Dependable, Nice comfortable ride, Best riding SUV ever owned.

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  Yukon XL - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Jtrimble - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had 1998 and 2001 Linc Navigators and the 2001 had all sorts of problems and has a ride that compares to a 3/4 ton truck. The GMC Yukon XL has more room and good towing capacity, but drives with car comfort. Very consistant purformer with good quality to value ratio in the GMC Yukon.

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  Best tucks on the road - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Tripp Alexander - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my second one, and both trucks have been great. They will outrun all of the other 2003 factory trucks except for the Ford Lightning and Dakota R/T.

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  What a Ride ! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Borgward - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Have only had this Envoy for 3 weeks but I am more than impressed with the ride and comfort. My last three cars were Mercury Grand Marquis and I must say the ride of this one is far superior. Im one of those guys who said Id never own an SUV, but after spending an hour with a demo I was smitten. Have two minor problems, one is I cant get any water to come from the rear window washer, and the other one of the turn signal illumination lights will not light. Im sure nothing major, just waiting for a few more miles to get that adjusted. Only other problem is a little wind noise around the drivers door.

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  VERY Tough Truck - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Nate - October 17 - 12:00 pm

  My truck is a bare-bones model set up for hard work--manual trans and 4WD, no carpet, plow mount, etc--and its main use is hauling firewood. Its often driven off road into the forest on extremely rough ground, then out again fully loaded with green oak. Ive got to be at the 9200lb GVW, but the truck still performs very well. The granny gear gets the load moving with no problem, and the dual-piston calipers stop her just fine. On the road and unloaded, the truck rides very nicely for a vehicle with so much load- handling capacity. All-in-all, Ive been very impressed.