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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  Best Yet! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By zemog - January 8 - 10:04 pm

  I bought my 04 Yukon brand new in 10/04 and so far it has been the best SUV we have owned. The third row seat access could be better (2nd row seat should fold all the way down rather than stepping on the back of it). It drives great in the snow and ice, so far I have only used the 4WD once this Winter (Jan 06). This SUV is a beast, I only wish it wouldnt burn so much gas and what ever happened to .99 cents per gal, $60 for a full tank and only 310 miles OUCH! I dont drive it too much, time for engine improvement. Overall is great vehile and very dependable and roomy. Kids and mom love it.

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  Too Much - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By JailDoc - January 7 - 2:00 am

  The 8.1L, Allison Trans, this vehicle is beyond awesome, lousy milage but that is what was expected. Pull or tow anything, fast as hell, acceleration is neck snaping, stable anywhere you take it. So far no problems like my last GMC (ABS pump went out), the dealer is lousy, cant trust a thing they say. Time will tell.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Alex - January 6 - 10:13 pm

  I have had my Acadia for 7 months now, and so far I am very pleased with it. 2 months after we bought it, we drove to NY from Northern VA and it fitted 4 adults (my brother and I are 64"), 2 babies (in car seats), stroller, suitcases, stuff for the kids, etc, all inside, and we were ALL comfortable! Smooth ride, easy to drive (drives like a compact car), lots of great features and nice finish inside. Fuel consumption (after the trip to NY) has been between 15 and 17 MPG, not bad for the DC Metro Area (it has only 4K miles). Easy to fold 2nd and 3rd rows.

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  Overall Good Vehicle - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Robert - January 5 - 11:27 pm

  We bought this car when it was a year old. It had 30,000 miles. It was great up until about a month ago. at 90,000 miles the water pump went($600) then the heater went out($300) And then after having all this repaired and EGR Valve went out. The dealer told us it wasnt under warranty and it would cost $1200 to fix. I expect some wear and tear on the vehicle. So overall its been great.

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  Perfect small truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Andy - January 5 - 9:59 pm

  I have taken this truck across the US twice going from Florida, to Maine, back to Florida, and then to Michigan. Ive gotten as much as 24 MPG at 75 MPH with 5 people, and luggage. I hauled a 3000lb trailer from Florida to Michigan with no problems, and got 17 MPG while doing it. No problems on climbing steep hills in Tennesee, or with braking. I love this truck. It is perfectly powered for a small truck. It has also performed excellant during the Michigan winter with its traction control, even in my steep driveway with snow.

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  Its OK - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By juniegravy - January 3 - 7:08 pm

  Vehicle used mainly for city delivery. Fuel economy 23 mpg on route. Has manual shift which is ok, but no vette. Handles 3000 lb trailer ok when called on. Id give it "considerly above average" over all.

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  Keep Looking - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ken - January 3 - 6:20 pm

  I have the Duramax/Allison combination. It is a very sloppy running engine. Sloppy in that it is not efficient at burning the $3 plus/gallon fuel it takes to run her. She smokes and run your finger on the inside of the tailpipe and youll see what I mean. My guess is that in the hoursepower wars, GM spared no expense in trying to get ahead of the competition. They should have left the 0-60 nad quarter mile bragging rights to a more appropriate vehicle like the Camaro or Corvette. Im looking for a new owner for this one.

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  Comfort at a cost - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By S. Virgilio - January 2 - 5:48 pm

  Purchased with 30,000+ miles on it, by 120,00 it was toast. Comfortable and roomy interior, great sound system and dash design. Travels well on highway. Disappointed with performance. Rear drum brakes went a week after purchase engine ruined due to gasket/coolant problems even though scrupulously maintained. Weve gotten well over 180,000 on our other vehicles. Last GMC big rig Ill buy.

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  Junk - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Patrick - January 1 - 6:35 pm

  Take a peek inside a GMC Yukon, and youll see one of the worst constructed interiors of any vehicle on the market. The plastics are of horrible quality, the trim is illfitting, the wood is incredibly fake which doesnt look kindly on a $50,000 vehicle, and the controls are shared with such vehicles as the Chevy Cavalier. What has GM come to when it cannot even design an interior correctly? Nevermind the hideous, bulbous exterior and the abysmal fuel economy, I mean, its not as if global warming is getting worse and worse, lets just go and buy a vehicle that gets 13 mpg. Oh yeah and its crap to drive too.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By tall one - January 1 - 12:34 pm

  This is a well designed SUV. I am 65" and fit in it with no problems - one of the few trucks that I can. There are a few recalls out on it - get those taken care of - and you have great vehicle. More then enough power to get you down the road. Plenty of useful options too.