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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  yukon denali xl - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By franfoods - April 27 - 5:33 am

  great vehicle. lots a nice features, needs to be a little more fuel efficent. maybe making it not all time 4 wheel.

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  good enough - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gmc - April 27 - 12:46 am

  first 2 wheel drive truck ! no regrets so far ! and this pa winter of 09 isnt pretty. no snow tires or weight in back and goes good with locking rearend !getting 17 mixed driving and 21 on highway !

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  Very nice SUV - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By gnlhall - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Envoy. It drives great and is very functional. The styling is much improved (inside and out) from the old Jimmy. The ride and handling are superb.

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  Happy Customer - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Ted Hornaday - April 24 - 10:40 pm

  Very pleased with our Acadia. Upgraded from VolvoXC70. Looks great (summit white) and a real pleasure to drive. Bigger, better layout and way more interesting than CX9, Highlander or Pilot. They really got the suspension right on this vehicle and steering is light and handling is crisp. Good balance of power, not minivan like and not a big V8 SUV nor does it cost as much as one. Integrated entertainment package w/wireless headphones sans NAV system is sweet. Back seat and front seat can finally listen to what they want (XM, MP3, DVD, etc.). Transmission/Power gripes in other reviews are overblown. Six speeds are going to shift more. Works fine for us.

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  A Believer - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By Richard Moran - April 19 - 9:02 pm

  Ive owned just about every Ford and Chevy make out there, but GMC made a convert out of me. Im now the proud owner of my third GMC and Ive loved every one. Call it "Professional grade" or whatever, but when it comes to reliability, comfort and performance, my GMCs have all been a cut above any of the Fords or Chevys Ive owned.

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  Outstanding truck - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Dick Johnson - April 19 - 2:15 am

  Ive owned a truck of one kind or another since 1972 including Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet. This is my second GMC and by far the best since my Dodge Power Wagon of decades ago. It has the looks, style, power and toys to keep me entertained and safe on the road. The AWD surprised me with its performance in the snow. It has great ground clearance for off road use, but it is more comfortable on the highway than a limo. The enterainment and nav system by Bose is expensiv,e but worth every penny, and its touch screen programming is easy to use. The whole rig seems custom built for my 250 pound frame.

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  Denali XL AWD - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By DENALIGUY5 - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This truck is the best I have ever driven. With outstanding ride and handling for a truck of this size, it is a definate best buy. Still a luxury suv without the "hand-off" feel of its more expensive cousin, the Escalade ESV. An engine beyond comparison(Vortec 6000) it beats out the competitors 10 to 1!

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  Im happy, great AWD. - 2000 GMC Safari
  By Mike - April 19 - 1:31 am

  I bought the van with 47k and have 65k now. Other than the alternator and a gear position sensor that was sending power to the starter when the van was running($50 part and an easy fix!) It has been very good to me. Went to FL with 3 adults and 3 kids in July and having rear A/C and rear bucket seats is nice. Also has a roof mounted TV with a VCR. The AWD works awesome. If you drive in snow dont get one without it!

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  LOVE MY TRUCK - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Joel - April 18 - 12:16 am

  Ive had the truck just over a month and have 400 miles on it. It has the All-Terrain Pkg and the 5.3L engine. It is sooo much fun to drive. I love the Stealth Gray color. Gray when the sun goes down very metallic when the sun comes up. It has a great ride and a lot of toys to play with. Only one problem so far. I have the 18" chrome wheels. The spare is a 17". Oh well somebody goofed. Will have to get it changed out in the near future.

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  Why I dont want to keep the truck I bought! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Mike Butchart - April 14 - 5:00 pm

  I a the owner of a 2016 GMC Canyon pickup truck. It is a quite loaded SLT model and was purchased after the 2015 model I ordered was lost. The warrantees and maintenance payment policies for GM vehicles changed between 2015 and 2016 . I mentioned this to General Motors explaining my displeasure with this . They had indicated that they would honor this with me but phone calls to them got me nowhere. I had to bring the vehicle back to the dealer five times as the key was left in the ignition and would not come out. Communication with General Motors about this was poor as they never answer their phone and finally called me offered an extended warranty but would not give anything in writing. I traded this vehicle for another vehicle (leased for my spouse) point and have replaced this pickup with a Honda Pilot.