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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  What A Pleasure - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By James Casey - June 11 - 6:06 pm

  This has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned, and to my surprise I cant get over how much my wife enjoys driving this big cross-over vehicle. It seems when ever we are either stopped or parked there is always someone looking at and admiring our Acadia. We look forward to our 1st long trip with our new Acadia in Jan. when we travel to Florida for 3mo. Thank you Gen. Motors.

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  First American Car - Very Impressed - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By drweby - June 10 - 6:21 pm

  2005 Envoy Denali - Ive owned a lot of cars but this is my first American car. The interior is beautiful, solid, and very comfortable. Theres a button for everything, and I love that! I love the look of the chrome accents on the outside, and the grille is an awesome design. The lamenated glass and sound proofing in the Denali edition make the inside very quiet. The only thing I kind of have a gripe about is the paint isnt as smooth as it could be. In that department the imports still rule.

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  Cant beat an American Truck - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Portmanblaze - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck with 80k miles on it knowing that the old 350 had a lot more time left. We make trips to Michigan several times a year from the East coast and you can hardly feel the ride in this truck. All passengers are comfortible and have plenty of room to strech out. This truck also stands out in a crowd b/c of its trim pkg from the factory. However the truck could use larger sway bars to prevent roll and something to prevent pitching when braking.

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  GMC Sierra Denali - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By RR924 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I knew I had to get a truck, but I wasnt all that excited about it. Weve always had them, but I had always driven a large sedan or SUV. I was amazed at what came standard on the Denali. This trucks standard equipment has all the luxury of the SUVs plus all of the utility of a full-size truck with 325hp, full time 4WD and Quadrasteer. The handling and performance of this truck is better than any other truck Ive driven. The Denali is excellent in highway and city traffic as well as being very easy to get into and out of tight spaces. People stop me on the street and in parking lots to talk about this truck, thats never happend to me before.

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  Great Truck - 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ted - June 9 - 7:23 pm

  Have my new 2500HD 4W for a month now and very pleased. Overall truck is superb and beats the heck out of my older Dodge. Pulls my boat like its not there. Ride is good and mileage is running avg of 17 mpg. I got the split buckets with console and love it. Ditto the comment that tires could be a bit larger. Really very happy with the purchase.

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  Outstanding and Refined - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By desertprince - June 9 - 4:13 am

  This vehicle is heads and shoulders better than the Yukon it replaced. Much more sophisticated, beautifully engineered, and a pleasure to drive. I specifically ordered bench seats to increase cargo capacity. Its huge. Ive been driving GM vehicles for more than 40 years, and this is by far the best. Vehicle has a solid and steady feel to it. Interior is well laid out although small buttons take getting used to.

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  GMC Acadia - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By JOE88 - June 8 - 3:46 pm

  The car handles well on the edges, and you can feel the sporty ride on the highway and the braking system is actually great. The car has a very attractive exterior and my brick red interior with the entertainment system, navigation, dvd, rear camera and many other options and luxury makes driving this crossover far better than any other.

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  Super SUV - 1995 GMC Suburban
  By TS76 - June 7 - 2:51 am

  I only recently purchased this K1500 Suburban SLT from the original owner, so my experience is "short term". It has over 285K miles on it (yes 285,000) and still runs and drives perfectly. Most of the miles were freeway miles- which helps. I was told that the engine is original, but the tranny was replaced 100K miles ago. I have only had to install a coolant sensor- which was only $70.00 to repair at the shop. I have not driven it enough to see exactly what the mileage is, but I am sure it is not that great. I will probably never need all of the space, or need the 4WD, but nice to know it is there if I ever need it. I also really like the styling of these trucks.

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  Initial Review - 2010 GMC Yukon XL
  By YukonXL_Man - June 7 - 1:00 am

  We ordered the Yukon XL the way we wanted it and are quite pleased with the ride handling low noise level. We got the SLT, SLT 2, Z71 plus the Red Tintcoat with Ebony interior. We have two large German Shepherds we travel with so buying a Yukon was no brainer. Used the USAA Buying Service and got a excellent deal. Compared Suburban LT to Yukon XL SLT and prefer the Yukon to Suburban based on the options available. Did not buy DVD or GPS system as they are way overpriced. We also opted to purchase the GMPP but shopped around to find the best price. No regrets about buying the Yukon XL it definitely satisfies our needs quite well.

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  Yukon on the go - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By yukonjack9408 - June 6 - 5:10 pm

  This is my third Yukon, and in some ways, it is the best one. The fuel mileage is good for the size of the vehicle. Its great as far as comfort ane room. I still want the little things, such as the tape player, the little storage compartments that have been available in the past, and the double sunvisor that was in my 03 model. Overall, its a great car. Keep up the good work, but lower the price, and you would truly have a winner! Yours truly, a happy owner