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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  White 2001 GMC Yukon - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By DaveC - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Rides like a Caddilac and has gobs of torqy power. I have had some problems though ...replaced 2 serpentine belts , replaced the exhaust and had a pricy problem with the ABS. Even with the forementioned occurances, there isnt an SUV out there Id rather drive. Its powerful and fun and the ride is silky smooth.

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  nice veh.but the gas mileage - 2000 GMC Safari
  By throgo - February 15 - 2:00 am

  mileage will kill you if you live in the country as i do.just a trip to publix cost you.dont know if the rest are as bad but,14 city and 18 hwy stinks.as the pontiac dealers were telling me they were easily getting 21 hwy.live and learn.im going to hyundai to check out the santa fe

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  My Jimmy - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By UnoT - February 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is great...I feel very comfortable driving it and whenever i am in i feel free...if you take care of it it will take care fo you and u have had no major problems at all

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  2002 Denali - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By 2friscofolks - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Very nice truck.... went from a BMW X5 4.4i because I needed more room and have no regrets so far. Solid looks, style, performance and an exceptionally quiet and refined ride.

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  A New Generation of Quality - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By rick_hynes - February 13 - 11:40 pm

  Ive had this truck for just about a year, it replaced a 2002 Chevy Silverado. Nimble footed, powerful,well able to keep up with daily work requirements and still feel like you riding in a luxury SUV. Power to spare when towing (we have a 28 power boat) you have to look in the rear view to remind yourself the boat and trailer are still there. Mileage is great hwy/city. thus far very pleased with the choice of GMC.

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  Ripped Off - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By JW skywalker - February 13 - 2:00 am

  It has been one problem after another. At 48k...coolant pump replaced, coolant tank replaces, door hinge replaced, observation dome lights swich bad. Quality is not there.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By jlem - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought my first SUV six weeks ago and opted for the Envoy SLT, fully loaded, mostly because I liked its lines, but also because of what Id read about it. Test-drove it and found it comparable or superior to other SUVs I tested, including Land Cruiser. Its solid on the road and quiet, even at 80 mph, a very comfortable. The only negative, a small complaint, is the poor city gas mileage - about 14 mpg, sometimes less. But on the highway, I get better than 20 mpg, even at sustained high speed.

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  Amazing TRUCK!!!!!!! - 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
  By bigguybob13 - February 12 - 3:24 pm

  This truck is the best choice I ever made, its my first truck ive ever bought, my brother and parents are having great luck with theirs so i thought id give it a shot. Could not have asked for more with this amazing vehical, im 64 and the shortes of 4 guys in my family, we all fit great in this truck, great for road trips or just driving around town, gas mileage is great for the size and safety!

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  2500HD Duramax - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Tim - February 11 - 5:03 am

  The GMC HD Duramax is by far the best diesels you can buy on the market. I recently compared the duramax to other cummins and powerstroke diesels and it out performs them from towing to payload to the comfortablility of the ride. I recently compared the duramax 2500HD to the Ford f-450 and I compared everything and the thing that stood out to me was that the GMC maxed out at 16000 pounds and the Ford pulled only 14000 and the ford was twice its size and still the duramax was the best. So weather you are a ford, GMC, or Dodge guy duramax is the diesel to buy.

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  Monster machine 400+ hp w/suspercharger - 1996 GMC Suburban
  By deano b - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Excellent people and stuff hauler.