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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  excellent - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By b1b - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I do not like up and down adjustment on seats

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  never selling it - 1995 GMC Sierra 1500
  By bubba - September 11 - 5:00 pm

  this truck is perfect for anyone looking for a dependable truck that you can make all the modifications you want. i have had a few problems (expected from a truck with 315000 miles on it) but nothing that cant be fixed yourself. the few problems i had were things that i thought were going to cost a fortune b/c of what the truck was doing. but they were not at all as bad as they seemed. if you are looking this truck is a trooper this is it, i backed in to a 03 cadillac cts it was $8000 of damage to it and all it did to my truck is push in the bumper.

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  The best GMC ever - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Ed @ Barrett - September 11 - 1:56 pm

  I have had GMC products for 30 years and have changed models due only to increasing or decreasing family size. From the GMC conversion van, to the Suburban, to the Yukon, to the Envoy and now to the Acadia. Without a doubt, this vehicle is the nicest, most well equipped, comfortable that I have owned.

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  Ready to Go - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By GeorgeTanya - September 11 - 2:00 am

  This truck is comfortable, dependable and attractive. The engine is powerful and runs cool all day at freeway speeds, even in the southwest desert region.

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  Be afraid. Be very afraid. - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By jcscratch - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I have the distinction of owning the worst vehicle ever built. Bought this lemon used with 60,000 miles on it. In two years and 65,000 miles, I have replaced the ball joints three times, the tires twice, rebuilt the starter, replaced the transmission, alternator, radio, and water pump. But, hey, the mufflers still good! And all those cheap plastic fittings holding the interior together are shot. I have about fifty individual rattles inside. Depreciation keeps me from selling or trading this in. I am die-hard "Buy American made", but those fools in Detroit are going to force me to buy foreign.

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  Looks great till you start looking - 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Frosty - September 10 - 12:15 am

  I was coming back to the GMC family after spending 10 years with a Toyota Tundra !!!! Well first the headlights at night a terrible you better test drive it at night ?? Second the gas mileage is almost ridiculous, the tailgate doesnt fit properly it has a gap on the sides and everything gets dusty as I have a custom ARE topper . The sunglasses holder has to be for reading glasses as nothing fits . The seat will be wore out in 10 years as the leather is of poor quality. The SD car reader slot doesnt allow you to read trail camera photos?? This vehicle was designed for a person that wants to drive a truck not a real outdoorsman that would enjoy the usefull features we need and would use .

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  Never Again! - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By Aaron Watson - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Its five years old and I have had it for almost three years. Almost $5000 have been spent in repairs and only $1200 of that was paid by the dealer (Since I have had it). Bad climate control (took 30 days to fix), major transmission work, new front end suspension, complete brake replacement with rotors, two alternators, and two wiper motors. Not to mention the general repairs and upkeep that comes along with any vehicle. No more domestics for me!

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  Great SUV - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By redsoxfan2 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  After much research, went with the Envoy vs a 4 runner. Much better price, and has all the options. Love the power, and very smooth. No issues so far, Bose stereo is great. Looking forward to driving in the snow with the new 4 wheel drive. Nice SUV at a good price.

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  Best SUV youll ever own !!! - 2009 GMC Yukon XL
  By Zack Pyles - September 7 - 3:26 am

  We recently bought the 2009 GMC Yukon XL, and we love it, we are very glad we got the XL version also. I would strongly recommend this SUV to anyone who is looking for spacious, comfortable, somewhat luxurious, and fun to drive. We also got the top of the line version and we love the power liftgate, its costs extra but worth it.Does not get as good gas mileage as the Tahoe or the standeder Yukon gets, but its worth it, also It is harder to get into tight parking spaces, and sharp turns, but you get used to it.Overall ,Great SUV.

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  Execellent work or road truck - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Johnel Gray - September 6 - 9:24 pm

  Great fuel mileage, dependable, reliable, clean title.