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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  GMC Envoy Review - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Jerry G - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have never been so pleased with the performance, handling and reliability of a vehivle. The Envoy is fun to drive and the excellent visability and comfortable handling makes driving safe and a pleasure on the highways I use. I am sold on this truck. I am confident that I will purchase another GMC product.

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  Suckered by GMC - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By suckered - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Horrid vehicle. Extensive problems since purchase - major mechanical failures. Sporadically refuses to start - problem untraceable by mechanical professionals. Wipers periodically choose not to work when it rains. Design a nightmare - remove whole console and side panel to replace a broken heater core? Youve got to be kidding. Had Chevy with over 200k miles with no problems. Nissan the same. GMC Jimmy a nightmare. Had to get cell phone for protection due to its unreliability. Will never own GMC product again.

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  Good SUV Experience - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By Steve Goose - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Great design, great ride, v. good power, better gas milage than my friends w/ big SUVs.

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  Mikes Overall SUV Reviews#11 - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Mikes SUV Reviews - July 9 - 2:53 am

  Major trouble with drive train and gas milage to low which lead me to trade for a toyota Highlander 4x4 four cylinder which has excellent seating comfort and engine gets about 27 mpg on long drives.

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  Good, quality American truck - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Matt Moskowitz - July 9 - 2:00 am

  The Envoy has been great. I leased it for about a year now. Before i had the GMC Jimmy and i found i was bringing it in to be fixed every month. So far so good with the Envoy. No problems, except for the "service 4WD" light on the dashboard that lights up every so often. I think it means nothing. I start it up again and it disappears.

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  Nice but not Nice Enough - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By kcool - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 01 for the 03. Was disapointed. GM took a lot of small things away to save dollars yet charge a higher price. Best part of this truck is the engine and AWD. But you pay for it in gas mileage. Average about 13.5 mpg combined. Get close to 17 mpg highway. With the back seat removed, lots of space. However the seat is cumbersome and heavy and hard to manage to get it in and out. If you leave it in it wont fold flat. For such an expensive vehicle, lacks the luxury touches that one expects. There is not much luxourious about it.

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  4th in 4 yrs - 2000 GMC Safari
  By browns fan - July 8 - 2:00 am

  we are on our 4th 2 still in garage, the best one yet. 95 awd slt conv in garage 93000. some weird repairs( freeze plugs @60k.but overall never! disapointed with car 95 actually gets 22 on highway. i read somewhere about 2 engines in 95( both 4.3}95 has enhanced 4.3 210 hp.the 2000 is the cleanest and best looking van on road. gm is committing suicide by dropping this vehicle. pray for reprieve

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  Good Truck - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By easyrider - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck overall. Best seats and interior of trucks I looked at. The 4 and automatic combination is very weak on power, but gets the job done. Gas mileage is respectable at 23 MPG. Only problem Ive had is AC compressor which was replaced under extended warranty.

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  Great size & very comfortable - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By bolina - July 7 - 8:46 am

  The Acadia is very comfortable and smooth drive. The 7 (or 8) passenger seating is a great option. It feels big but I was quickly able to adapt. The mpg is great for a vehicle of this size. It is a little sluggish on take off but it is a big, heavy vehicle but it does get decent mpg. Im very happy with this vehicle and would definitely recommend it.

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  Pleasure to drive - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By anch1 - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2002 Denali used with 23k and it is flawless. Drives and handles great in any road condition. Cant beat it.