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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  great vehical for towing over 14000 lbs - 2005 GMC Sierra 3500
  By ace777777777 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  i have 4000 miles on gmc3500lly 04 duramax allison crew cab dually, half of the miles is towing ,it gets 12 to 16 mpg, the motor and tranny handles the weight easily ,i have a bw gooseneck hitch to haul a 14000 dump trailor, sometimes going up and down 6% grades, the transmission downshifts automatically,its easy on the brakes when towing ,it dosent ride like a truck and its very quiet for a diesel its fun to drive and get lots of compliments on how the truck looks and when taking people for a ride in it they enjoy it ,i owned a dodge dikota a 2500 silverado and a heavy duty silverado 2500 and a heavy duty 3500 chevy chassis cab with a dump body i like the gmc 3500 the best

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  Yukon XL Excellence - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Rey Maelo - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Even though it has been only 2 weeks since I bought this vehicle, it has been fun, its easy to drive, plenty of room for the whole family and enough room for cargo also; again its fun to go on long trips.

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  Good Truck - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By timmarcy - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I’ve wanted one of these since I was 15 and used to walk to the dealership and gawk at them. I’m 25 now and can finally afford to…well, um…finance one. I’m gad to say I haven’t been disappointed. After all of GM’s rebates their trucks are only slightly more reasonably priced. Good MPG for a large truck. Glad I got the 5.3. Even in an extended cab 4 adults can ride comfortably. Good off road capability. Quiet interior. Leather seats are very hardy. Only complaint is the cheap dash board. Where does GM get all this plastic??? I’ve had my truck 6 months and 8000 mi with no problems. I plan on keeping her till the wheels fall off.

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  Terrain 2010 SLT-2 FWD 6 cylinder - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By rfranden - October 15 - 1:10 am

  We picked this vehicle yesterday Its a really Great looking vehicle. Its a little too soon to tell how well itll be in the long run. But everyone we show it to really thinks its great with the chrome 19"wheels and SLT-2 body style. But with the 19"wheels a lot of the smooth ride is gone stay with the smaller wheels for a smoother ride.

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  05 GMC EXT CAB SLT Z-71 - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Lee - October 14 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased this certified used truck with 52,000 on it the black exterior and gray leather were spotless and everything works as new from heated seats, xm radio, on star etc. I have added a lot of aftermarket chrome parts and a dual cat back system, K&N intake and Hyperteck programmer. Ive been thinking of brighter headlights Silverstone, and itll be a keeper with the 100,000 mile extended warranty the 5.3 is working just fine so far and next oil change will be Mobil 1 at 5000 mile interval will report problems when they start so far so good.

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  POOR GMC - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By POOR GMC - October 12 - 7:06 am

  THE 4.8 WILL NOT TOW ANYTHING. IT HAS TROUBLE PULLING ITSELF UP SMALL HILLS IN OVERDRIVE. POOR GAS MILEAGE.

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  Oil consumption - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Shawn - October 9 - 10:46 pm

  Love the truck but Very disappointed with OIL CONSUMPTION Im burning about 2 quarts every 3000 miles. and its not like i abuse the truck Ive changed the oil every 4000 miles and use synthetic oil. I spoke with a gmc dealer today and he says they know of the problem but gmc has done nothing to respond to the problem as a former dodge and ford owner I hope GM does something to fix the problem. Or i guess I will be looking for a new truck and GMC will not be a option. truck has the 5.3 V8 and 33,000 miles on it to date

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  Pleasantly Surprised! - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By cb500rider - October 9 - 2:01 am

  Ive never trusted GM vehicles. I grew up in MIchigan and heard all of the horror stories about the poor quality for my many relations who work or have worked in the GM plants. My last GM car was a 1980 Chevy Monza. I bought the Canyon because of the employee pricing and the five cylinder engines fuel economy. I have the Z71 SLE Ext cab with bucket seats. The seats are very comfortabe. The ride is high and smooth. The 2WD offroad suspension is great. I drove it down five miles of washboard dirt road at 45mph and couldnt believe the smooth ride. No problems so far, accept the center console creeks when i rest my arm on it. This is probably due to its thin plastic.

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  The Jimmy - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By tiffany sanburg - October 8 - 12:01 pm

  We were not very pleased with this vehicle. It was not reliable at all and we had to do a lot of repairs at very inconvenient times, like the side of the road. We felt it was a poorly made SUV.

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  Review of 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By R Freni - October 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my second GMC Sierra 2500HD in the past two years, I love both of them. I have the 6.0L Engine (the smallest engine that I believe they put in this truck) in my truck and I have yet to find anything that I cant tow with it. The tow/haul feature works great. All in all this truck rides great, tows great and plows snow great (if you havent figured it out yet I think these trucks are GREAT!)I have not yet had to bring them back to the dealership for any type of repair other than normal service.