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:

• 

  exellent truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By bill biello - October 18 - 6:40 am

  exellent truck-58,000 miles. driven right i can pull 23-24 mpg.no problems so far

• 

  Great truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By newowner - October 17 - 10:42 pm

  Got this truck during cash C4C and love it. The cons: Lucky to get 15 miles per gallon in the city. The engine doesnt have a lot of punch starting from zero. Low clearance and not meant for off road if not 4X4. The pros: Great power on the highway. Has real punch once you get over 50. Quiet at high speeds, compared to other trucks. Smooth suspension, great on washboard, bumpy roads. Very comfortable with a lot of room, at least in the front. Great interior I dont agree that it has too much plastic or seems cheap on the inside. Replaced tiny factory tires and it has a great, classic look now. Note:Toyota and Nissan are now copying big, boxy look of GMC trucks.

• 

  Great Truck! - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By james - October 17 - 11:56 am

  I have only had this truck for a couple of weeks, but it is amazing. The weather here in the Great NW has been very cold. I have never seen a truck with auto-4WD, it engages seamlessly, you dont even realize it has. Between that and the stabilitrac, this truck handles under snowy and icey conditions like no other truck I have driven. GMC took advantage of every inch of the interior to make a wonderfully roomy feel. The handling is tight and the manuverability is outstanding. Another great thing is you can turn off the stabilitrac and/or the auto 4WD and do some brodies! Also, going from 8 cylinders to 4 and vice versa, you dont even notice. My first tank of gas I am averaging 15.9 mpg!

• 

  Best SUV of its time. - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Matt - October 15 - 10:13 pm

  Alright, so this truck is plain great. About a year back we had the head gaskets replaced (175000 miles, currently 185000) and its ready to go for 200000 more! The only problem we have with it is the ABS brakes act up and sometimes the brake pedal pushes back, but its no big deal... just keep the foot pushing back. We used this truck for hauling horse trailers for 8 years, and still use it for vacation. There is plenty of room in the back, and the back seats fold down for even more room. I am 66 and I still have about 2" of headroom left.

• 

  Oustanding purchase 2010 Yukon XL - 2010 GMC Yukon XL
  By XL Man - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2010 Yukon XL after much research and investigation. Had a bad experience years ago with a GM product and was nervous to purchase another even with access to GM employee discount. After several test drives and reading good press regarding much improved quality and design I decided to take a chance on my silver 2010 SLE with the exact features I was looking for: SLE-2, cloth buckets, ext appearance pkg, conv pkg, tow pkg, and integrated trailer brake. So far the truck is perfect and drives like a dream. Plenty of power and tons of utility. I have owned full size pickups for years so the mileage with this XL is phenomenal compared to them. The family and I could not be happier.

• 

  Best little big truck around - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By R Lat - October 10 - 3:46 am

  It didnt give the option for the 2.8L diesel but thats what I have and I love it. The mpg is great I usually hover close to 30 mpg.

• 

  Best yet - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By denali - October 9 - 1:46 pm

  I just got the SUV last week. but I love it. It has enough of room for everything and everyone. The motor sounds strong, and for the biggest SUV, the power is there. Power means a lot to me. Ii own a repair shop and drive just about all types of cars. This is the one. Its easy to work on and has great power

• 

  gmc - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By noisyhonda - October 8 - 12:35 am

  great truck good at hauling. very spacious and comtorble. gas mileage is good for a truck. had this truck from new to 180000 miles now original motor still runs very smooth as does tranny, and everything else. the only repairs i had to do so far on this truck was o2 sensors about 40bucks each a crank angle sensor about 50dollar and a output shaft seal on the transfer case, i did the work myself. other then that routine maintance and shell run strong for a long time. i would diffently buy another in the future if needed.

• 

  Acadia revies - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Tufford - October 6 - 9:33 pm

  We purchased the Acadia after the birth of our first child. This was an excellent purchase. The set up of the interior is excellent for hauling a baby and all of the things they require. The privacy in the back with the tinted windows allowed me to feed her in privacy when not at home. The regular plug in also worked well for the breastpump. We have the 2 captains chairs and the bence 60 40 3rd row seat which is very easy to fold down (with one hand) to instantly create more cargo space,plus the automatic hatch opening is great when your hands are full. We have had no problems with it and really enjoy driving it.

• 

  Best vehicle Ive owned - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By cbourret - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable and powerful. Much nicer and roomier than the Jeep Grand Cherokee I owned previously. It is the nicest vehicle Ive owned to date. I towed an enclosed motorcycle trailer from Baltimore to RI... The Yukon handled so well I almost forgot I had a trailer back there.