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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  very satisified Sierra owner - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Dave Nelson - December 10 - 8:46 am

  I have researched lots of pickups, and the best one out there is the GMC Sierra. The ride, quality of all of the equipment and the quietness is second to none. I am getting far better gas mileage than the window sticker shows. Why would anyone even consider any other brand.

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  Smooth Quite Ride - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By B. Lowery - December 10 - 12:05 am

  After much research I selected the Envoy SLE,enhanced package with almost every feature I could get without leather. Very quiet, smooth ride. My wife was hesitant having never driven an SUV. It was to be her vehicle. She loves it and already feels very comfortable and secure driving it. It has good visibility,a very short turning radius like a car,and she indicates it feels like it hugs the road well. Great pick up, with the 4.2L very comfortable interior with all the amenities. No squeaks,or rattles, very tight. Able to hear rear seat passengers conversation well when traveling. Plenty of leg room for rear seat passengers. Solid sounding doors when closing. Not one problem to date. Would recommend it.

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  Denali crew cab 5.3l 4x4 - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Cannonbill - December 8 - 12:22 pm

  I have had the truck for a month, I am up near 2000 miles. I live in North NJ and appreciate the ride of the truck with the garbage roads we have. Up in North Jersey, the terrain is all hills, almost nothing flat. In local driving, I have been averaging about 17 mpg, not bad considering the terrain and the size of the vehicle. We took the truck to the outer banks for a week, 520 miles each way, on this trip I averaged 22 mpg, fully loaded, 2 adults, 2 kids, a dog, and truck bed full of beach gear, clothes, food, grill supplies, etc, etc. this trip brought the lifetime fuel economy for the truck up to 20mpg. pretty impressive. I will admit, I monitor my driving and kept it in v4 mode as much as possible, it worked. I am impressed. While in the outer banks I saw one period of driving, the first 100 miles leaving for the way home where I averaged 25.7 mpg, slow steady state, traffic free flat land, 55mph cruising. Amazing. The trip was 11 hours each way, factoring in stops for bathroom and food. Not a single complaint, everyone was comfortable beyond compare. The connectivity was loved by the kids, as was the ability to have all the electronics charged. While the dog would have preferred a yard, even he had room to move and get comfortable. Moving up from a Subaru Legacy, this was an obvious upgrade, what is surprising is that a vehicle this size is actually more efficient than a car that weighed 2000lbs less, and had a 2.5 liter 4cyl turbo engine. Finally, the GMC dealer experience has gone upscale and every dealing I had with them, beginning to end, has been easy. No quality based issues with the truck yet, and hopefully none on the horizon. There is a steep learning curve with the technology of the truck and the personalization available, but a good long trip like that helps to sort it all out and learn what the options are.

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  2000 GMC Envoy - 2000 GMC Envoy
  By Mike - December 7 - 12:02 am

  The 2000 GMC Envoy has good quality throughout and a very comfortable ride. It drives more like a car than a truck. I have not had any reliability issues in the five years and over 100,000 miles that I haev owned it.

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  Typhoon = SUV KING - 1993 GMC Typhoon
  By Ben - December 6 - 4:20 pm

  My first car when I was 16 was a 1984 S-10 Blazer. The Typhoon was always the dream. When living in Europe, I found one in the classified. Sceptical, I embarked on a 500 KM trip to see it for myself. Upon the opening of the garage I fell in love. The 4.3 turbo screamed down tiny German country roads, and its AWD hugged the winding roads effortlessly. Coupled with 18" 16 spoke OZ tires, the ground spoilers, side skirts and tinted windows, the car was a knockout beauty.Thanks GMC.

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  Denali @ its Best - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Brian - December 5 - 11:44 pm

  Great SUV. All wheel drive is second to none. Power is stronger than any other. Ride is first class.

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  Better than the rest - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By David Romanyshyn - December 5 - 3:59 pm

  This has been an incredible truck! The engine is smooth and powerful, the suspension soaks up bumps better than my roommates 2001 Accord, there are no rattles anywhere, and everything feels solid and of great quality. I especially love the crisp shifting of my 5-speed Aisin manual. Compared to my fathers 2002 Ranger, this truck is way ahead in all areas. I highly recommend one!

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  Delightful Denali - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By Crum - December 5 - 12:31 pm

  Our Yukon Denali has proven to be an extremely practical vehicle. Whether it be for hauling office materials used in our educational consulting business or escorting the grandsons the Denali is always a pleasure to use. The grandsons particularly enjoy the DVD as the view their favorite programs on long trips.

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  Impressed - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By lawman1967 - December 4 - 9:42 pm

  Traded Mercedes C300 and a Ram 1500 Hemi, and traded both on the Sierra. Mine is an SLE Doublecab with the All-Terrain package and 5.3 V8. Ive only had it for 1000 miles so cant really comment on reliability, but truck is very solid going down the road, whisper quiet, smooth, luxurious and just a joy to drive. Its actually more comfortable than the 2011 Mercedes was. The 8" touchscreen stereo with Bose speakers (not listed on sticker or GMC site for SLE, but came with my All-Terrain) sounds great, but the bluetooth and USB connections to my iPhone 5s are a bit flakey. No NAV in my truck, but OnStar works well. Drove 400 miles yesterday, heated bucket seats very comfortable.

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  TimsTruck - 1991 GMC Sonoma
  By For Sale - December 4 - 3:53 pm

  Bought this truck a couple months ago when my 91 Voyagers tranny went out. Was going to fix it up as necessary so it would be reliable...didnt need to fix much. This is a very reliable piece of machinery. Never have I been able to get 33 mpg out of anything except a car! Very reliable, very nice truck!