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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  Great to Drive - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Joeagrant. - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Not since I had my 5.0 liter Mustang, have I sat around trying to think of places that I can drive to. I added a Gibson exhaust, and a AEM Brute Force intake. That gave it more power, and better gas milage. Adding a bug/stone deflecter decreased the mileage by 1 MPG.

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  my suburban - 1990 GMC Suburban
  By scottgr - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this truck for over 3 and a half years and it is a dream. What a solid truck and the preformance is like that of a new one but without all the new cramped computer engine stuff.

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  I LOVE THIS THING - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By the_dubster98 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  the only thing that makes me mad is the A.I.R pump has already gone out on it..other then that i love this thing...

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  Needs alot of work - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By beachbun - February 20 - 2:00 am

  If i had read the reviews before hand I would never got one. The engine blew at 7000 miles and continued to give me problems after being replaced. The ses light is always on with the reduced power light on also. The transmission blew at 18000 miles and was replaced.The car has been in the shop over 50 days.I am in the process of trying to get GM to buy back the car. Never another ENVOY.Its just one thing after another the rear window has leaked since my purchase and has been replaced.Many other problems also but I dont have enough space. GM should fix problems not run from them as they have.

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  BLUE THUNDER - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By C SUBER - February 19 - 10:00 am

  QUICKLY ILL SAY THAT MY GMC HAS BEEN A COMFORTABLE, DURABLE, RELIABLE TRUCK FOR THE 2 YEARS IVE OWNED IT. VERY POWERFUL TRUCK, THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE ABOUT THE TRUCK IS THE CHEAP, BLAND INTERIOR THEY MAKE. OTHER THAN THAT A GREAT TRUCK TO OWN.

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  GREAT SUV - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By CindiRoe - February 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used to replace a Jeep Grand Cherokee lease. I love it! There is only minimal change in fuel usage from my Jeep and the room and comfort levels far surpass that of the Jeep. Excellent choice in SUV.

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  GMC Yukon SLT FWD 03 - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Doggone Great - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Well done, GMC. Much improved build quality. Plenty of power. Same mileage as my 93 K5. Smooth 4WD. almost too smooth.

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  disappointed - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By wally42 - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This SUV has good features for the price. It is comfortable to drive and all the switches and controls are within easy reach. Does not corner well. There has been numerous rattles and noises. The fit is poor. I would not buy this if I had to do it over again. Plastic trim is hard to keep clean. Too bad, could have been a nice truck.

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  Surprise Love Affair - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Monteiro - February 18 - 6:56 am

  I did my homework. I took 6 months to shop for a truck to surprise my husband with. I looked up reviews, vehicle history, manufacturer recent history, etc. My husband has always had to drive a cheap truck while I drove the nice luxury vehicle; therefore, I wanted top-of-the-line and nothing less for him. We bought it 13 months ago and we are still in awe with it. It everything we hoped it be and more.

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  strong engine - 2004 GMC Sonoma
  By bufalo - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I FOUND THIS VEHICLE TO BE BUILT WELL WITH A VERY STRONG ENGINE, ALTHOUGH MY MILEAGE WASNT QUITE UP TO WHAT I EXPECTED,ALSO ITS SOMEWHAT WIDE TURN RADIUS MADE IT MORE OF A CHALLENGE IN OFF ROAD DRIVING.THE INTERIOR IS QUITE COMFORTABLE, I AM A LARGE MAN AND THIS VEHICLE HAS AMPLE SHOULDER, AND LEG ROOM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH ANYTHING ,FROM BUMPER TO BUMPER.I AM SORRY TO SEE THEM DISCONTINUE THIS VEHICLE PLAFORM.