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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  GMC 1500 HD - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By USA DAD - October 14 - 10:00 am

  My truck gets about 15 miles per gallon, which is better than I thought it would. It pulls hay like it wasnt back there.

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  Awesome! - 2005 GMC Yukon
  By AJ - October 7 - 9:23 pm

  Awesome vehicle. Now has 60,000 miles on it. White with tan Leather. It is a fully loaded Denaili, lots of options. A lot of fun to drive. Great power. Seats are extremely comfortable with plenty of room. Has been very reliable, only thing was the sunroof motor went at 55,000 miles, dealer fixed it at no cost. Gas mileage isnt good only getting 12 mpg but expected with a big V8. Overall great vehicle and Highly recommended.

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  Denali Fever - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By AudiBob - October 7 - 5:14 pm

  What a truck. I traded in a 2004 Toureg V8 fully loaded for this Denali. Plenty of power, comfort, and style! I was very impressed with the car when we took it for a test drive and continue to be impressed with it 11 months later. Good build quality and I do enjoy that big 6.2 liter V8 rumble when you start it. Great truck for long trips.

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  1997 K1500 Suburban - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By RTS - October 2 - 6:04 pm

  Good solid truck for the most part. Two issues in the last 57,000 miles, first it lost the 2-3 clutch pack in the transmission at 121,000 but the previous owner had done a lot of towing. Second I lost a fuel pump at 154,000 miles but that was my own fault for not changing the fuel filter as often as required (filter was pluged). It took me longer to drain the tank than it did to replace the pump, which cost $110. I have a 32 travel trailer and 4 kids and overall this has been a good vehicle. Mileage is poor, but there is a limit to what you can expect from a 5300 pound box.

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  Too much maintenance - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Envoy Problems - October 1 - 6:47 pm

  I drive about 36,000 miles a year and my Envoy is great in all aspects as long as it is not in the shop. I had to replace an idle pulley, fan belt, fuel pump, and just recently I had to rebuild the transmission. Way too many problems for a 2 year old car with only 75000 miles on it. Other than that, the ride is very quiet, step on the gas and it seems to glide on the highway.

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  Too Tall Truck - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Jorge McKie - September 25 - 2:26 pm

  The best improvement they could make would be to lower the body by at least 3 inches. I really doubt anyone needs the clearance it has. I drive graveled and dirt back roads and go some rough places and dont need the height. That makes it difficult for many [I have a bad leg] to get in and out easily. AT the risk of voiding my warranty Im seriously considering lowering it myself. I test drove one with a step and it really didnt help much. Other than that it is an excellent buy. More than one friend has said that it rides better than most cars. Even my wife is jealous of the ride. UPDATE: Still a great ride but now I have back problems and getting and out is very difficult. After more than a year Im generally pleased but still feel it could be 3 inches or 4 maybe lower. And watching for other Canyons Ive decided it is the choice for people who want to drive a truck or be seen driving a truck but not necessarily using it like a truck. I use it, but notice that most work trucks seem to be the Chevy version. Finally, I have a friend with a 40+K Toyota RAV4 who much prefers driving my Canyon. She says its a much better ride. I agree.

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  Mushy seat - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Bill Williams - September 22 - 5:20 pm

  Overall its a really good truck. The drivers seat is mushy and lacks support, both the bottom and back of seat. The fabric on the seats is poor quality and is pilling on all seating surfaces. It drives good, has adequate power, and is really quiet. I frequently pull a trailer and it has good towing ability.

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  so far so good rides smooth handles well - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By qwest - September 21 - 10:00 am

  so far so good handles well on highway puts the passengers to sleep on long trips great bose system comfortable seats waiting to see some snow to try it out got stuck last year

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  95 Sonoma Ext Cab - 1995 GMC Sonoma
  By Bob - September 19 - 9:42 pm

  I have owned this truck for the last 7 years. Overall very reliable. Over 200,000 miles on it, have changed the starter and the battery once. Replaced the exhaust sytem (cat converter rattles a bit). Transmisson started shifting rough into second. I changed fluid and filter and after a little while, it seems to shift smoother. biggest complaint rusted out above rear wheels and in corners of the extended cab. It had to rust from the inside out, because by the time i noticed it panels were rusted through. I noticed wherever GM puts those rubber plugs that is where the truck rusted.

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  Didnt Like The Bowtie - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Ken - September 16 - 9:33 pm

  As a dyed in the wool "Bowtie" guy, it was tough to buy another type of vehicle. However, I cant stand the front end on the Chevy, so I went with the GMC. After 3K miles, Ive come to enjoy the truck quite a bit, but would like to see a few mods. Most are listed below, but I ran outta room for one - when negotiating a slight turn at fwy. speeds, any moderate imperfection in the road surface will cause momentary instability. This seems to be in the rack & pinion equipped models only, as my 02 Suburban with conventional steering seems significantly smoother over the same road surface. Overall though, Im really happy with the truck.