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:

• 

  2004 Crew Cab SLT 1500 - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mcotton - January 30 - 10:00 am

  ATC updates had to be performed after 5,000 miles to get the transmission working properly. Once fixed, the truck ran great.

• 

  Best Vehicle I Ever Owned - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Atrain - January 25 - 7:53 am

  This is easily the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Im 67" and am super comfortable. This truck has been flawless - I look forward to many years of reliable service. And the gas mileage isnt bad. It depends a lot on how you drive and how fast you drive. Im getting almost 19mpg around town. Very satisfied.

• 

  3 years after - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GMC owner - January 14 - 9:36 pm

  I bought my GMC about 3 years ago. Loved the styling thinking it was the best full0sized truck out there. Ive driven it daily since buying it. A few paint scrapes and had to replace both the front and rear brakes (just replaced the rear brakes myself today). As well as one headlight. All in all it really was how GM marketed it a long-lasting dependable truck. Ive driven it from California to Virginia by way of Canada and Texas (towing a Volvo on a car trailer). I currently drive it in Germany. It has never not been a reliable truck. only complaint is that the 6.0 liter eats gas, and is not as good as GM says it is on fuel economy. A great truck for the money

• 

  Very Nice Truck - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Toff - January 9 - 1:03 pm

  Test drove every truck out there including new Tundra with the 5.7 in reg cab. They all fell short of the GMC in one way or another. The interior was a big one, most felt quite cheap and the comfort level of this new Sierra is amazing. Handling is great, ride is excellent, good power and getting really good mileage in this reg cab with the 5.3 and AFM even though not broken in yet. Im sure the smaller size of the truck makes a big difference in how often you are in V4 mode. Lots of great standard features, priced out about the same as the 06 I looked at last year.

• 

  Great GMC - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By frtlinr - January 9 - 6:33 am

  I sold a 95 3/4 ton and bought this 1500 series Sierra. I was somewhat concerned about this 1/2 ton pulling my 16ft trailer and, compact farm tractor. Wow, I am so very pleased with the way the Sierra handles this task. This truck has been impressive in every way.

• 

  Happy so far - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Tom is Happy - January 7 - 12:33 pm

  Love this truck so far.. 7 months old no problems yet. Added an ARE cap over bed and love it, got the Suburban look minus the $15,000 difference in price. Fits the car seats easily and the adults even easier. Havent done a long trip yet but Summer is aproaching and a looking forward to the drive. (Even if the gas costs $4.00 per gal.) Wish I could get better gas mileage but its a full size truck not a Honda CRV, which is easy to remember when I load it to the hilt , shopping or constructing, get it all in. Only things added was remote starter and sliding rear window (vital) which were negotiated during sale.

• 

  Great truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By robert trapp - January 5 - 11:53 pm

  Have driven GMC trucks for several decades, this is quite possibly the best I have ever owned. Quiet ride, strong frame, good power and torque, no cheap interior like Toyota. Best looking truck on the market. I drive over railroad tracks every day, completely unnoticeable in this truck. Love the OnStar and XM radio features. Lots of interior room as I am a large person, yet fit comfortably inside

• 

  1999 SLE 1500 Sierra GMC - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By traceylynn - January 4 - 9:54 am

  I bought my GMC in 2003, it had 52,000 miles, the first time I drove it, I loved the power from behind the wheel. I love this truck. Mechanic tried to tell me that it didnt have a 4.8,lol, so I had to prove it to him. This is an excellent truck and very reliable. Today it has 117,000, and you cant even hear it run, she purrs like a kitten. I have always driven a GMC, and always will.

• 

  One Good Truck! - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mike Mullen - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive been very happy with my truck so far. Its good looking, fun to drive, and loves to work hard!

• 

  Denali Yukon - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By wscoach - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Very powerful but a very quiet cabin. Complete electronics with Onstar XM radio. Great ride.