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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  DENALI Review - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By jmoriarty - August 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought for safety but Denali doesnt tell driver when kids have left a passenger door ajar(only the liftgate). My 1980 Honda told me when the door was ajar!! When low on mileage the Denali doesn;lt tell you how many miles left..It just says "low fuel" this is aggravating as you dont know when you really are going torun out after less than 39 miles left in tank Plastic breaks..$50K vehicle and pwoer utility covers are flimsy and break easily with kids...too much plastic for the price. My BMW X5 has much better craftsmanship amd features for same $

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  Was not "Professionial Grade" - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By ENG - August 2 - 11:05 am

  This was our third and last Yukon. This one was a loaded SLT with a 49K price tag. Wifes car, never off the pavement. At 42K miles the transfer case failed. Was at dealer for 3 weeks. At 51K miles, transfer case noise,same problem,another new transfer case. Squeeks and rattles at 32K miles. Electricial issues since the first month. Vehicle loses all preset data. Tire air sensers fail constantly. I will not buy another one. Pathetic fuel economy, but will pull a house.

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  Headlamps - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By dub47 - July 10 - 4:18 am

  The engineer who designed the headlamps on the GMC Sierra 2009 should be fired yesterday! You pretty much have to disassemble the front end to replace a freakin headlamp! If you dont have time to mess with it and take it to the dealer, theyll only charge you $174.86 dam dollars to put in a new head lamp which you can purchase at the auto parts store for $13. Ridiculous design!

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  I got the lemon - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By jcanyon - July 6 - 12:23 am

  Initially, I loved this thing! Over some time, I realized that many small things would add up to make me hate it! The plastic molding is of poor quality, the rear seat cup holder has broken 3 times. Brake light recall sent me to the shop twice. Front turn signal wiring harness only works when bumped in just the right way. Gauges poorly located behind steering wheel. Musty air conditioner. Rear cloth seats that no one sits in have torn in the seams. Rear seats squeak constantly. Rear seats very uncomfortable when used. Computer acts up intermitently - alarm sounds when truck unlocks! Worst is that it is the same exact truck as the Isuzu I-370! Is it a GM or Isuzu?

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  Ready to sell - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By adam - June 30 - 8:49 am

  This is my second Envoy, my first was a 2002. It had massive engine problems at 2000 miles and after I totaled it from hitting a deer, I got a new one. I primarily got it for the high comfort great looks. It has little problems that make it spend days at the shop. It has also lost most of its value over the 5 months Ive owned it. I would not buy another but I would rather buy an American car rather than some Honda or Toyota.

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  2006 GMC Canyon - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By jeff smith - June 10 - 10:59 pm

  Have had the truck 7 months and have 7k on it.The truck is OK but nothing to write home about. Has 5 speed that is hard to shift when cold. A/C seems to cycle too much and does not cool well on hot days. I still have 93 S-10 2.8 V6 5 speed with over 200K miles that get the same mileage (avg. 26) but runs, brakes, and shifts better than this new one. I know this a base truck but will beat you on a trip of over 3 hrs.

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  First two years were heaven. - 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By T1 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This last year has been quite another story. Ive had a complete Brake job including replacing all four rotors which were fine 2500 miles before. The sudden complete failure of all four brakes cost 1600 dollars for that. The four wheel drive switch has gone twice causing the truck to shift in and out of gears and fall out of 4WD. This also caused premature wear of the U-joints, which needed replacing. The fan motor now is going and needs to be replaced. The engine burns a quart of oil every 2200 miles and knocks like mad for the first five minutes of run time until its warm. The engine also knocks if I use any gas other than premium.

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  Quality plague first model year XL - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By skold - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I had my 2000 Yukon XL in the shop 14 times in less than 2 years for the same recurring problems; after 5 visits over a 4 month time period the computer climate control still didnt work, loud noises from the front dash, rear pwr windows failing, pwr door locks on rear lift gate failing. GM offered me 7yr/70,000 mile warranty on the vehicle but we were so fed up with the car, we decided to trade it in for 2002. I was really disgusted with the whole affair because it cost me about $10,000 (difference between trade-in and new car). GM did give me a 6yr/60,000 mile warranty on the new car though for free.

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  GMC Danali - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By chris123443 - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Well I have been buying fords for the last 10 years for quality reasons. My new wife liked GM products so I decided to take a look at the GMC Danali. Since it was her car I let her pick and that is what she wanted. After owning for several months some of the features it lacked like backup sensors, a warning system for the doors being opened, and other small items became apparent. The biggest reason is the general GM fit and finish sucks. We have had it back to the shop for stupid things like pieces falling out of the interior and rattles that come for who knows where. We are looking to trade it for a Excursion and count our losses as a learning experience.

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  Nightmare for life - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By CBR - May 8 - 12:03 am

  We bought this vehicle new trading in a great Tahoe. I have owned everything from a Rover to Benz and this has been the worst ever!!! Every part of the driveline has been replaced and it has never been offroad. The electronics are a joke. Memory seats that dont work to a radio that wont turn off. Replacement of the instrament cluster (which GM now recog. as a known issue). Steering shaft problems (known issue to GM). You name it. NEVER AGAIN!