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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  good ride - 2002 GMC Safari
  By emald - December 14 - 2:00 am

  2002 gmc safari has been a fine vehicle for my family. We have had zero problems with it. Here in Alaska the AWD and Anti lock brakes have been just the thing. With studed tires on it just wont be stopped.

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  GMC Yukon - 2000 GMC Yukon
  By J.Clancy - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Best vehicle that General Motors has ever developed--period.

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  What a truck should be. - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GTJ - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Overall, an excellent truck. Very quiet and plush on long trips. Excellent truck-like ergonomics, unlike the car- like feel and look of other manufacturers. Great audio (Bose) and Automatic climate controls. My wife and I share time behind the wheel so the seat and mirror memory is great to have. Very solid build quality, which translates into a quite, squeak (silicon lube on the weather striping) and rattle free ride. Front suspension is on the soft side in comparison to the rear. Only evident at slow speed at "bumps" perpendicular to the direction of travel, otherwise a very nice balance.

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  Cool SUV - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By cheri2happy - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Had a pathfinder, this gets BETTER milage! This handles better, turns better, goes better~ For a full size truck, wow, I couldnt ask for anything else...

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  NOT SO PROFESSIONAL GRADE - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By envoyjewel - December 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my envoy for a year now, and it has been in the shop more times than Ive ever visited a dealer in my whole life with other cars. Ive had noise problems, fan clutch problems, loud noise in the motor area, it turned off on me on the freeway. Ive also had sensor lights for SERVICE ENGINE and AIRBAGS come on a couple of times. I also wonder if the paint quality is not that great. I have more chips on this brand new car, than on my previous 13year old car.

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  First Pickup and Its Great! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Brett McIndoe - December 12 - 8:31 pm

  Im a little over 1,000 miles in on my 2016 SLE w/ All Terrain and am really enjoying the truck. Remote start is awesome, although I am overusing it a bit so it did ding the gas mileage. Overall Im in the 19s, on highway only trips it gets around 21/22. All Terrain tires probably does not help. I had experience with a Ford Ranger in the 90s and as expected this is light years beyond. In some ways it exceeds the interior of the Mercedes I traded in, although the Mercedes did have some bells and whistles this does not, such as dual zone climate control. While some reviewers do not like the infotainment, I think it works quite well and like it better than the Mercedes, and the voice activation is really easy to use. I did notice on some hilly highway driving it had to downshift to keep up at 65/70 mph, but otherwise have had no problem with power or acceleration. Im coming from Xenon headlights versus the Halogen that comes standard here and I will probably look into brighter lights at some point. Overall, I love the look, comfort and capability of this truck, very happy with the purchase.

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  my slt - 1998 GMC Yukon
  By Rick Lauder - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I love it. It has stability, and power. It is not as good on gas milage as one might like, but worth the extra expense.

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  Transmission trouble - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By shane45 - December 11 - 11:21 pm

  I have had my 2003 yukon xl 2wd for five and a half years.I bought it used with 22000 miles on it.It now has 103000 miles. At 65000 miles the transmission went out,a $2200 repair. At 77000 miles the instrument cluster lost gauge function one by one,this is a recalled issue up to 75000miles. The dealer wanted $800 to repair it.I purchased a used repaired one on ebay for $150. At 90000 miles the transmission went out again,another $1800 for repair. The power window motor went out on passenger side,drivers side is now moving slowly,so if I do it myself $300 repair. It seats 9,handles mountian roads great,but repair costs has lost my faith in GM. Save up for repair costs,you may need it.

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  Great Truck - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By lawman1967 - December 10 - 11:41 am

  Ive had my Sierra SLE 4X4 All-Terrain for three months now, though Ive only been driving it for one of those months as it was rear-ended by a Hummer (no frame damage) and in the body shop for a month, then I was away for three weeks of military duty. Still in those 5 weeks of driving Ive put over 8,000 miles on the truck and have a pretty good idea of its capabilities and performance. The truck remains an absolute joy to drive, no squeaks, supremely comfortable seats and quiet ride. Fuel economy up to 24 MPG at 75 MPH which is OUTSTANDING for a V8 4X4.

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  Truck that Wont Quit - 1994 GMC Sonoma
  By cb - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this truck new, if now has 211,000 miles without a major repair. While it has been well cared for mechanically, I have hauled countless loads of lumber, mulch, bricks, furniture, you name it. Off-road, it is tough to match, I have reached many fishing spots that would not have been accessible by a lesser vehicle, and some harsh Pennsylvania winters seemed paltry behind the wheel. I was actually asked by a collague if my truck was new after it had crossed the 200K mark. Power is ample (and I sold my 69 camaro SS to but this truck, so that is quite a statement.) All repairs have been electronic, it has never left me stranded.