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 Cross-Over Out - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Robert - April 20 - 3:50 pm

  I have been looking at this vehicle for about 6 months, but the price compared to other vehicles always kept me looking for something as good but cheaper. Unfortunatly I never found that vehicle. I ended up purchasing this vehicle because it offered everything and more than any other similar vehicle out there. All the little things that it has over the competition ends up making this car a value buy from the low end model to the high end. They really hit the nail on the head with this vehicle. This is such a quite and comfortable vehicle. It is as roomy and a mini-van but still give you the feel of not driving one. Love it

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  GMC 3500 - 2005 GMC Sierra 3500
  By ronshoney - April 18 - 11:36 am

  Its a beautiful truck, feels like your riding in luxury. We have the TV/DVD package and that works great for our 4 kids who fit comfortably in the back on long trips. Good on gas for something that size, always runs and drives great. Have also used it to pull out the tractor when it got buried plowing the field, was not a problem it came right out and the truck barely had to try. Also pulled out a boat hauler that was stuck in a field, no limit to this truck.

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  Reliable, comfortable truck with decent fuel econ. - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mizzou Engineer - April 16 - 11:11 pm

  This truck has been very reliable for 11 years. Repairs have been minimal. Routine service is easy. Fuel economy has averaged about 19.5 mile/gal with mostly rural driving. The truck is extremely comfortable to drive. It has good load and trailer towing capacity. Acceleration is adequate, but not impressive. The 40/20/40 seats are very comfortable.

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  Reliable, comfortable truck with decent fuel econ. - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mizzou Engineer - April 16 - 11:11 pm

  This truck has been very reliable for 11 years. Repairs have been minimal. Routine service is easy. Fuel economy has averaged about 19.5 mile/gal with mostly rural driving. The truck is extremely comfortable to drive. It has good load and trailer towing capacity. Acceleration is adequate, but not impressive. The 40/20/40 seats are very comfortable.

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  Best truck on the market...Period - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By hound - April 11 - 6:40 pm

  Gas mleage is remarkable for a large truck with the 5.3 l engine. I typically average 18.9 combined driving and 20.2 on long interstate trips and have measured it numerous times. I test drove all the trucks on the market and this is hands down he best on the market. The quietness, comfort, handling, audio system is just simply the best on the market.

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  This is the ultimate SUV - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Denali-lover - April 11 - 10:00 am

  The Denali couldnt get any better - I think the only thing they missed is an automatic back massager. This truck runs like the best luxury vehicle you can drive. And the sterio is the best Ive heard - better than the Audis or BMWs! We feel like the king and queen of the road when driving this. We cant wait to go on a long road trip just to ride in our Denali!

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  Great Truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Keith - April 4 - 6:23 am

  I drove them all. GMC still offers the work truck and although it might be too spartan for some, I found it to be the right balance of form and function. Also, if price is an object (isnt it always)this baby rocks. I use my trucks like, well, trucks. And if I had had to spend $40,000+ on something else, I might be guilty of babying my truck. Then why by a truck? I had a bedliner sprayed in, and now it sees full duty as my primary working, boat pulling, camping, wheeling vehicle. Fit and finish are very nice. Plenty of power with the 6.0L. Even the cloth bench seats are comfy.

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  glad we discovered it. - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By mrodoc - April 2 - 3:40 am

  We have been looking for quite a while. We checked out EVERYTHING, even the lux brands. There seemed to be no good values out there. The only quality we found was in the very expensive price range. Because of past experience, we didnt even consider buying American. Then we saw a Terrain add, did online searches and read reviews. After visiting the dealer and test driving, we were sold on a SLT-2. Drives solid, quiet, and handles better than the foreigners. The interior is functional, spacious and beautiful. The exterior is cutting edge, macho, yet elegant. The chrome wheels rock. I was glad to suppport American industry again after 30 yrs. of buying foreign

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  exellent suv better then the explorer - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By lenny levy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  i think this suv it has the saftey features not like the ford explorer this has on star which i can use if i get into an accident i now that on star automaticly calls for help and they know your exact location this compared to the ford this is like gold and the ford is like dirt and also the ford dealers dont care about there customers they will just sell you the car and never speak to you again.

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  Life - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By erynlynne - March 28 - 1:19 am

  This truck is a life saver for me, got into a car accident was going 85 and hit a telephone. I truly believed it saved my life, i just bought another one same year. Truck has a amazing build! i would tell anyone about this truck and how amazing it is.! i absolutely LOVE it.