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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  Solid GMC - 1995 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KB in N.C. - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my GMC new in 95 and have been pleased with the truck since I purchased it. I have, to this point, had one main problem with the drivers seat base bracket. The bracket actually broke out of warranty and GMC agreed to pay half of the replacement cost since I had reported having a problem with it before the warranty ran out. The seat still has some movement in it but not excessive. Overall, I have enjoyed owning the truck and have made a few enhancements to it myself since buying it.

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  Best car I every bought - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Mike - December 30 - 1:26 am

  Just picked up my loaded Denali on X- mas Eve. I had a pathfinder and a grand cherokee before and they dont even compare. The ride is 10x better in this truck than any truck Ive been in. The truck is Awesome, all I want to do is drive.

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  4 months and lovin it - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By Mike - December 29 - 12:41 am

  I really like this Suburban. This is the first full size SUV I have owned and I love it. I have had minor problems such as the wipers getting stuck, but move after I "help" them. There is also a gremlin in the wiring for the interior lights. They stay on all the time unless I use the override switch. I find these to be minor problems I can live with. I have the 7.4 2wd. Loads of power! Gas mileage the same as my old Grand Cherokee 12mpg. Nine-passenger seating has plenty enough room for three kids and camping gear. Handles great on the open highway, a little tougher to handle in the city traffic. Also, its a big truck that needs lots of room to stop. Brakes could be better. Great truck.

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  Great, but... - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Skip - December 26 - 5:36 am

  After enjoying my Envoy for nearly 90,000 miles, the Acadia has been a great step forward in size, economy and ride. My only dislike is the transmissions desire to get into overdrive too early and wanting to stay there too long. This makes driving using the cruise control unpleasant with frequent agressive down shifting on even very small increases in grade. Two computer updates have helped significantly but the frequency of the shifting is still quite annoying. One other design flaw for me ,is the inability to open the rear gate window. Makes bringing long items home more of a challenge. It will be interesting to watch the developement of this vehicle over the next few years.

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  Urban Suburban - 1993 GMC Suburban
  By ll834 - December 24 - 11:47 pm

  My 1993 GMC Suburban is very reliable ,very comfortable, and has enough room for eight passengers. It is great for family trips and has good fuel mileage for this size of vehicle. We have over 200,000 on ours miles and it is still going strong!

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  GMC Envoy - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Vern Rinus - December 21 - 8:41 pm

  A very reliable SUV. Comfortable ride, smooth handling, excellent pick-up. Excellent exterior design. Overall fantastic vehicle.

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  On The Road In A Canyon Pickup - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Kent Sherry - December 20 - 8:24 pm

  I like the exterior styling and had several friends remarked how great it looked. Of course there were some extras such as the mud flaps and running board. The first day out of the dealership I took it out on some snow covered mountain roads in Pennsylvania. The 4-WD high range feature came in handy and the change from 2-WD to 4-WD was fast and smooth. I purchased a unit with alot of extras such as an MP3 radio, power windows and side mirrors, and remote locks. The truck has a 6 cyl Vortex Engine that kicks out over 220 hp. It is being set up for towing and I plan to pull an 18 pontoon boat during the summer months.

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  Saved My Familys Life - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By haocamper - December 19 - 5:37 pm

  Our 1998 GMC Suburban was totaled in a wreck. Thank God we were in a Suburban! The vehicle rolled and ended up upside down on the expressway. The camper we were towing flipped on its side causing it and our truck to flip. I have three small children (still in carseats) and we all walked away without a scratch and my husband only had a nasty cut on his arm from the glass. The roof was barely crushed in. My husband is 66" and had plenty of head room in the Suburban - it saved his life. I will never own another vehicle but a Suburban seeing how well it held up in the crash. I only had to make minor maintenance repairs over the three years and 130,000 miles that we had it. We will soon be purchasing another one.

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  Solid Truck - 1991 GMC Suburban
  By Fish - December 18 - 9:07 am

  I bought my 1991 GMC Suburban in 1992 with 115,000 miles on it and have since put on another 70,000 miles. This was the last year of this body style. The engine is the best feature. It has more towing power then I could ever need and the engine has been running flawlessly since I purchased the truck. It has tons of room on the inside with seating for nine passengers. I love this truck and I get a lot of looks and complements from other SUV owners. The only drawback for me is the tailgate. I wish I my truck had the "barn doors". The hinge on one side of my tailgate has rusted out. It is difficult to open and close. The tailgate option makes loading the rear compartment awkward and difficult.

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  Envoy SLT Excellent - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By jan sankey - December 16 - 12:49 pm

  I have been driving my Envoy since August and even though it was used when I bought it, it performs and looks like a new Envoy. It is a delight to drive and the ride is fabulous. I will never buy any other brand of SUV. It is A+++