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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  decent work horse - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By mwiegold - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this truck 5 years - put new brake pads on every 25,000 miles - too often for me but we tow a lot. Main complaint - the stupid service engine soon light comes on frequently and the local idiot dealers have not been able to find a real fix. The light will stay off for a few months but then comes on - usually a "misfire" code - they do some lame work - but very expensive because its never covered by warranty and it lasts a few months - then we do it again! i would probably be better if off if I disconnected the light - it runs just fine and can really tow a load....but the idiot light drives me crazy!

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  The best Ive ever owned! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By gail22 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  Everything is great! I think it looks like a 50 thousand dollar vehicle. Everywhere I go people say they like it. It is much better than the lincoln Aviator which I tried before I bought this.

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  Refinement for under $40K - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By nick12 - June 4 - 2:00 am

  The SLT is just like a caddy inside, the leather and woodgrain is the same as an Escalade. The I-6 engine is very impressive, save your money and buy this one.

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  The best SUV - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Lovin the Acadia! - June 3 - 5:26 am

  I bought my Acadia after test driving vehicles for over a year. I rode in Toyota, Lincoln, Lexus, BMW, Ford, Dodge, Nissan and this was the best ride by far. The price was reasonable as well. I put on some highway miles for my job and feel very safe knowing that I have onstar and AWD for these harsh Canadian winters. I am happy when I drive down the street and see people checking out my SUV. I get so many comments on it and have already had a few Lexus and BMW drivers interested in switching to the Acadia!

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  Nothing but trouble - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By fedude - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Let me see if I can list all the problems Ive had with this vehicle in just the last year. Tires at 15K, Wipers failed, Check engine light always on, Cruise failed, Been to the dealer about a dozen times for non- routine maintenance. Front end rattle. I had a Nissan pathfinder before this one and Im sorry I switched to a chevy.

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  A superb vehicle - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Michael Kearney - June 1 - 2:46 am

  A great comfortable car

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  No problems. No worries. Nice truck. - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By AzMax - June 1 - 2:00 am

  62,500 miles and not a single repair. This is my third vehicle of this type (two Tahoes and one Yukon) and I will buy a forth when Im done with this one. Vortec 5300 is smooth and powerful making it a breeze to merge and pass on the freeway. The tight turning radius (better than a Camry or Accord) makes it equally at home around town. The 2WD is a much better ride than the 4WD version in my opinion.

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  Denali XL - Awesome - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By johnnybrem - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Im on my 5th GM Tahoe/Yukon/YukonXL/Denali/DenaliXL and this one is the best yet. Everything has been improved. They must be tweaking all the time. I feel like Im driving my living room around. But unlike the Navigators Ive driven, the Denali handles superbly. I love, love, love this baby.

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  great - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By k9kibbles - June 1 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle, love to drive, great price, will by again, cant get enough of my envoy

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  best s.u.v ever made - 1992 GMC Typhoon
  By quicksuv - May 31 - 2:00 am

  This is the quickest s.u.v ever produced and its at the same time extremely confortable. this thing does 0-60mph is 5 secs enough to blow away new sport cars