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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  no regrets - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By peter - March 4 - 6:53 am

  Get the 5.3L for sure! The six speed is great for 2009. However, adding a cold intake really helped with gear hunting at higher speeds,alltitude and hills. No problems except I had a creaking noise from the undeside since new. Turns out I needed a whole new drive shaft. Have over 8K on it now and dont regret a thing. More room than Japanese trucks espcially in head room department. Never feels underpowered. I did add ICON DYNAMICS coil overs/rear shocks and they make it handle amazingly with no ride loss. Get them, you wont regret it. They leveled out the front too!

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  Research Before Buying - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Glenn - March 4 - 2:06 am

  The quality of this truck is questionable. Major issues include getting only 275 - 300 miles/tank of gas. Serious steering problems with absolutely no long-term fixes. This is a widespread issue which truly makes the truck a misery to drive! Rust at less than two years. Faulty air, seating, and other minor repairs. I can hardly imagine buying another due to GMs lack of being able to warrany their trucks and offering a fix on such a major steering issue. All they offer is a lube which needs to be applied every four to six months and does not really work well.

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  Towing - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By mike tornichia - March 1 - 9:13 am

  Just drove to FL from NJ towing 2 jet skis. Mileage suffered but not a problem with acceleration and handling. Two guests that drove the car are selling their SUV and Caravan to buy one. Comfort was excellent and the interior space was great. I would highly recommend this car. The total mileage on this trip, towing and not was 5400 miles and not a problem. I would recommend larger mirrors for towing.

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  GMC Canyon is a nice truck - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Greg - February 26 - 8:45 pm

  At first, the GMC Canyons interior was hard to adapt to the plastic materials left much to be desired. After a while, however, I adapted and began to appreciate the plastics. They are actually quite rugged. My truck has the I5, XM, 6CD, Auto-dimming/compass mirror, and power heated leather seats. All are very enjoyable. The seats are comfortable for the longest of trips, and the vehicle handles very well and has a TON of power for only having five cylinders. It is very much more powerful than its S-series predecessors, and I can confirm first hand that the truck can pull WAY more than it is rated -- the truck can pull over 7,500 pounds practically effortlessly. Trust me.

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  SE Kansas Review - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Murph - February 26 - 1:22 pm

  We have not had any major mechanical problems with this vehicle. Interior light lenses on the doors all came off and had to be re-glued. Replaced hoses, belts, oil changes, etc., at intervals recommended. We are not an off-road family, but took it across the forest roads of Colorado, which made me thankful we had a 4x4. This was a really fun trip. The GMC is worth the extra $500 or so over the Tahoe.

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  Youre missing out... - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By DirtyD - February 24 - 11:50 pm

  I test drove every make of truck and this one got my money. Sharp truck and a real headturner with my Black Z-71. Power is great and off road ability is only topped by a Wrangler (Im an avid Jeeper). Cant say enough about the ride comfort and quiet demeanor, very nice interior. I was looking for a truck, not a Prius or Cadillac. This is the perfect truck.

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  A month of interstates and mountains - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Tom - February 24 - 8:36 pm

  Ive found the Canyon 3.5 liter excellent for fast interstate and slower, steep mountain driving. The two stage 4wd has also been very good on snow. The OEM tires, however, have limited "stickiness" in spite of their "all season" rating.

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  Best of Breed - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Tuner66 - February 23 - 10:51 am

  I love my Denali. This is my second Denali and forth Tahoe/Yukon. Prior to purchasing this one, I searched and compaired all of the full size SUVs, and for the price and performance, the Denali is the best out there. Also, there arent 2 million of them on the road.

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  Sickening MPG - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Matthew - February 22 - 1:23 pm

  Boght the car with future plans on bigger family. Gas mileage and prices have killed that idea! Average about 12/16 city/highway in Hawaii. Love the truck almost as much as anything I have ever owned and never would think I could find a better designed or planned American built vehicle in this class. It sits in the garage most of the time however due to the very poor mileage but when we do drive it, it is almost as much fun than the actual destination. If you love comfort, space, quality and having peoples heads turn this is the vehicle for you. If you hate paying out the yang for gas, dont even entertain it.

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  Wow, what a car - 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
  By Carmine Calitri - February 21 - 11:46 pm

  As a former Ford Expedition Loyalist, I was getting tired and broke waiting for Ford to come out with a SUV Hybrid. I drive back and forth to San Diego from Las Vegas two to three times a month. I bought this car last weekend because of the employee pricing, that did away with the proclaimed ROI that all the web sites said for the price make sense. Wow, what a car! I put over 400 miles on it in town, which would have equated with two tanks in my Expedition. When I did fill it up it was 15.00 cheaper than my Expedition. Right there is a 100 savings in just the first week. The vehicle looks great. The vehicle drives like a dream. Havent taken it over to SD yet but Im sure itll be great