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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  High Cost of Ownership - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By dls - June 4 - 2:00 am

  By far the most costly vehicle I have ever owned (and I consider myself a GM guy). Although I love this vehicle for trips and towing my boat and motocross trailer it has cost me dearly over the past 12 months. Repairs to the transfer case, power steering pump, rear universals, sway bar connecting rods and upper and lower coolant intakes have cost me just under $2500 this year. With only 70K miles on the vehicle I had hoped to own it for another 70K-80K miles. I expect the poor gas mileage, wear and tear and brake pads and a new battery every three years, its a big vehicle and I bought it with my eyes open.

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  The best vehicle I have ever owned! - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By Snowman - June 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the 2nd Denali I have owned and I dont know how the folks at GMC can top this one! I owned one of the 1st Denalis to come out and had only 2 suggestions to improve that one. 1. More HP! and 2. 4 wheel disc brakes. Both of those items were addressed in the 2001 Denali I have now. My partner and I have 2nd thoughts about even looking at new ones (We have bought 2 of them both times we purchased new cars in the last 5-years).

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  The best of the best - 2000 GMC Yukon
  By Superfly1900 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Love the new looks!! Got the two tone blue metallic paint with gold on the bottom. The 5.3 has tons of power for towing my toys! Love the autoride suspension!

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  GMC got it Right! - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By J. Barton - June 1 - 8:26 am

  GMC got it (finally) right with this one. Replaced a 2004 with this vehicle, comparison is like night and day. Fun to drive, good mileage, 18.8mpg in first 500 miles. This one is a winner for GMC. So glad we didnt give up on them and head to the Japnese market. Great interior, fine fit and function and good looks too. I love this truck!

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  One Tough Truck - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By wpnsloader - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this truck with 33,000 miles and it has 90,000 now. The only complaint I have is the size. I really need more room for the family. The H.O. 4.3 in the 4X4 is one of the most powerful V6 motors put in a truck today and with out a doubt one of the most dependable. ZERO mechanical break downs. Only a few electrical issues. I have towed or hauled everything with this truck from loads of lumber and bags of concrete to a 22 ft pontoon boat. This is One Tough Truck

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  My Yukon - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By Georgia Yukon - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Strong motor and trans. Interior plastic parts leave lots to be desired. Totally plastic dash tends to rattle. Copmfortable ride. Low road noise but some air noise around windows. Runs like and bear. Exterior styling lends itself well to cosmetic upgrades.

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  Everyone loves their Suburbans????? - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By trandall - June 1 - 2:00 am

  "The Road to Redemption" The plastic running boards are now standard. The roof rack was standard, only to find the side rails werethe cross pieces were not!!!! The plastic wheel wells do not fit the size of the well opening. Wires did extrude from the turn signals and rear trailer hitch. The seat only reclines a few inches. The console is extremely large. The entire car is bulked up plastic? The interior plastic fits just as poorly and it covers so much empty space? We wont get into gas milage,trailer hitch plugs, window openings, rear view mirrors, light switches, temperature control knobs blocked by the shift lever, back seat space, etc

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  Great comfort and towering views - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Jimmy the Greek - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Im pleased with the ride and control I have at all speeds. I bought a base model and it is very confortable. Only issue is base radio is not that good and my transmission has to be adjusted. I would recommend upgrading the radio for better sound on base.

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  The best of the rest - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By The Truth. - May 31 - 2:46 am

  The 2016 GMC Cannon crew cab SLE V6 is without doubt, in my experience,the best value in a truck purchase . I have driven and owned many trucks of different makes and class sizes but this model holds it own to them. It is a little Pricey for that size of vehicle but the bottom line is worth it.

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  New century truck - 1999 GMC Sierra Classic 1500
  By labelmon - May 30 - 2:00 am

  The features on my GMC SLE extended cab (3 door) are fantastic! This is the BEST "General" Ive ever owned; and Ive had a few. This truck has modern V8 power; modern comfort (lots of options); modern sound system w / CD; modern ride (suspension and disc brakes @ all four corners) If you can find one (99 +)with "mimimal" milage........get it! For a 1/2 ton pick-up truck its got more "creature" options than a 99 Cadillac........I continue to forget that I have to manually turn on/off the head lights in my other vehical! WOW!