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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  Love this truck - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By jimog01 - October 31 - 3:41 pm

  I have 259,000 miles on this truck not 1 major issue. I just put on a water pump last month and the starter has started to act up, I think after this many miles and 13 years these should be wearing out. I have had some suppension problems but that I think is more related to driving on the pothole covered roads in Michigan more than the truck. I dont see any issues coming up that will keep me fromsurpassing the 300,000 mile mark.

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  GMAC Envoy SLT - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By kts - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable ride. Rides more like a car then a truck. Extremely reliable - no problems at all!

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  Envoy Road Hog in The Wind - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Dennis R. Perkins - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I just took my first real trip on my new Envoy to southern Virginia on Interstate 95 and was exceptionally pleased with everything but the mileage, it was 14 mpg. I-95 is known as a very hard drive from Washington south, sometimes with 4 lanes of big trucks and everybody is running 70+. The Envoy had plenty of road acceleration to get up and go when needed and the vehicle handled very smooth among the big trucks and speedway drivers. Very pleased, but GM has got to get me more than 14 mpg on the highway.

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  Great Van - 1999 GMC Savana
  By Great Van - October 26 - 10:45 pm

  I purchased this van to replace my 3rd Astro Van. I needed something that could tow with confidence and not give up comfort. I landed on a GMC Savana with the 5.7 and an Explorer low top conversion. I purchased the van with 94,000 miles. The van runs and drive great and now has 107,000 miles. Only problem to date was the A/C went at about 105,000 miles. I love the van, although the gas milage is about 3-5 miles less on average than the Astro, but it makes up for it in overall comfort and the ability to tow my 14 foot enclosed trailer and motorcycle through the mountains of North Carolina with ease.

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  Great Truck! - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jeb - October 24 - 4:20 am

  Ive been satisfied with the truck so far. Its a bit under powered, but thats expected with 6 cylinders. Enough power if you dont tow anything. My only disappointments have been with interior design. There arent enough useable storage bins. Pencils constantly fall out of the ones on the dash board. The cup holders are in a strange and unhandy place. They make the middle seat useless. There is no storage space under the seats. Seats are very comfortable on long trips. Interior and exterior fit and finish are very good. No rattles. Gas mileage could be better.

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  Denali good car, minor issues - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By DShow - October 24 - 12:44 am

  I purchased the Yukon Denali in May of 2006. The truck rides great. The interior is roomy, the leather & components are sturdy & well built. My traction control light comes on occasionally but go off within minutes. The only major issue Ive had was a switch went out in the transmission causing the car to not recognize neutral & sometimes not go into reverse. This was fixed under warranty & has been problem free for the last year. One great thing is the saftey issue. My car was broad sided by a car running a light at 30 mph. The car was damged but barly felt it. The blue green color looks great changing color in the sun but shows all finger prints & dirt.

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  Not too bad. - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Denali - October 22 - 5:24 pm

  Ive had my Envoy for a little over a year. Definitely the perfect family car for long trips. Smoothest car Ive ever driven. Gas mileage is surprisingly decent for a V8 SUV (highest is 20+ on highway, average is 16) Definitely a smooth smooth ride but a little sluggish accelerating off the line. Stabilitrak is an amazing option in the rain. Downsides: narrow spaces between console and door and the seats. Center console is very sub par and constantly loose or breaking off entirely. Low ground clearance makes it look minivan-esque. Nav system is so so and cant listen to a CD while using it. Slow windows and moonroof when closing. Resale value is awful. Plan to keep this car for a while.

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  Family vehicle - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Ronald Waldron - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable with lots of room for passengers as well as storage. Great for families especially for vacation trips. Our family vacation to the beach allowed plenty of room for luggage and for the childrens bikes. The four wheel drive performs very well in snowy conditions. We have a steep driveway and it handles it even when it was covered in ice.

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  Not bad, not bad at all! - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Phil - October 18 - 8:37 pm

  Had been a Grand Cherokee owner for 8 years but needed something with 3 seats (which is outstanding feature) with excellent access. I never was an "off roader" so the Envoy, which is truthfully a street SUV was a good replacement. Terrific smooth, quiet ride on highway. OnStar is a great safety feature, but ditch the XM radio (too expensive). Gas is disappointing, but what do you expect. Dash features (e.g. wiper, speed controls, climate control) not logical and took long time to understand. Excellent storage, even with all seats up although front cup holders very disappointing. Have been thinking about hybrid SUV, but very unimpressive choices in the market today.

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  Frustrated with Canyon - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Kristen - October 14 - 7:07 pm

  Wow! What frustration with this truck. I love the looks of it and wanted it to be the best. However, its been to the shop at least 10 times. At 25,000 the engine and head went bad so they put a new one in. Luckily it was under warranty. Now, at 65,000 miles the head is bad again! Within 25,000 miles, the brakes and tires needed replaced. Like others Ive noticed the air conditioning system is not good and doesnt cool very well. In addition, my CD player is broke. Ive done every suggested GM service at the mileage marks to keep it in top shape but it didnt work. Im in the process of looking for a new truck and contacting GM. Very dissappointing!