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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  Pontiacs Worst Yet - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Moron Motors - April 9 - 1:36 am

  What can I say? Everything about the truck disappointing from the noisy driveline, to the thumps & plunks, sloshing fuel tank the crappy cheap foam seats to the idiots at the dealerships who stand there and give you stupid looks like you actually expect them to be able to fix these problems.

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  Once again America Fails - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By laxman - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I have my Yukon XL for 22 months. I am dissapointed in the build on the truck. I have a problem with the front end rattling after 15,000 miles. Also, the middle seat froze on me and needs a new seat riser. The best is that the dealer knows that the front end is an occurance with most 2003s. They did not have the part and said it would take a week. well 2 weeks later I call up and still no part. I guess when its under warranty, they dont want to fix the problem. I have to hound them for the part!!! I wish Toyota or Nissan would make a truck as big so I could byu!!

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  poorly crafted - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By jorge - February 3 - 4:13 pm

  although its a beautifull truck mine was poorly crafted i found rattling noise inside the cabin, brakes make alot of noise, and has poor stability,gmc needs to improve the performance on their vehicles and keep their promisses with warranties.

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  DONT BUY!! - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By dont buy yukon xl - January 22 - 2:00 am

  purchased 2004 yukon xl 2wheel drive, makes loud popping or clanging noise continues for at least five to ten minutes after car is turned off, it rides like a fifteen year old car that needs a tune up, vibrates in steering wheel and dash while sitting stopped, dealer says these 2004 just make more noise than older models, dealer wants to put weights on exhaust to stop vibration, basically when you spend 43,000 on a new suv and only have 1500 miles, we should not have to be going to dealer every other day and waiting on parts to "rig" the exhaust. ADVICE, DONT BUY GMC YUKON XL 2004 MODEL

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  Cracked Dash and AFM Lifters - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By chuckaggie - December 20 - 6:27 am

  Just after the power train warranty expires my AFM lifter sticks. $3000 shop bill later and some internet research I know to watch my oil level like a hawk and never purchase another GM. Also the Massive cracks in my dash remind me of 80s GM. Its nice to see them bringing back the materials from their 80s cars. Dont buy one of these trucks. Buy new and dump them when out of warranty.

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  MEDIO-CAR - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By BUCK bARKER - December 13 - 3:26 am

  Front drive requires a lot of maintenance. uses more oil than it should Brakes are inadaquit for a car this size, especially loaded. load leveler goes crazy once in a while.-

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  Owning An En voy - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By buy-it-now - December 11 - 2:00 am

  It was great to have a new vehicle. But this one is less than perfect. We have yet to reach the fuel economy they promote. City or highway dont come close to the advertised mpg.

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  Transmission is crap - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By gac - November 20 - 8:24 am

  Had this car for 6 yrs and has less than 49K on it when the transmission goes out. You would think that a transmission with less than 49K on would last a little longer. I now see why GM reduced the mileage for its powertrain warranty from 5yrs/100,000 to 5yrs/60,000. Im sure they were losing big money. Also, fuel economy is way less than advertised. I barely get 18 MPG.

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  No Wonder Detroit is Going Bankrupt - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By n/a - November 16 - 9:43 am

  Uncomfortable sagging, squishy compressing narrow 40/20/40 seats. Hard downshift, narrow roof line, i bump the left side of my head often. I wish I had not bought this thing and was a GM FAN through and through. This will be my last piece of junk design, engineered, and sourced out by the idiots Detroit. I wonder how many of the reviews on this sight are by consumers, it looks they were mostly written by liars working GM

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  GMC Lemon - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By First & Last GMC - October 1 - 9:23 am

  First & last GMC truck(2008 SLE 4- Wheel Drive, 5.3 engine). I just traded this truck with 1900 miles on it. The truck had vibrations in the front and passenger door. 3 trips and 14 days in the dealership did not solve the problem. My personal mechanic said the problem was in the powertrain. I gave up and took a loss. I told this story to General Motors and have not even had a reply! Fool Me Once!