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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  wish I would have waited for the V8 - 2008 GMC Canyon
  By Mark S - April 24 - 1:31 pm

  I have had my 2008 I4 Canyon 2Wd Ext Cab since June 2008. I have over 41,000 miles on it. Most of the miles are hwy driving. 18-20 city 25-27 Hwy. I wish the V8 option would have been available when I purchased. I couldnt wait because I was driving a 2006 GMC HD2500 with the 496 Big Block and allison trans. 15 mpg Hwy at best. I love my Canyon I just wish It had the V8 option. I added after market wheels and micheland tires, best thing I could have done. The only issue I have had is during starting it used to shake and cause the check engine light to come on. The dealership reprogrammed the computer and its fine now. I also had ghost wipes from the wipers, they had to reprogram again.

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  Great Surburban - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By d - April 24 - 12:34 am

  Yes I said Surburban, because after 25 Chevrolets I traded up to a GMC- I liked the Styling better, This is a quantum leap in vehicle quality, styling and interor design. Its quiet, comfortable and roomy. The 5.3 with multi displacement is smmoth- cant even tell when its in 4 cyl mode. Remote start is a hit and the tri zone AC is a winner- everyone gets their temp selection

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  We know the good, heres the bad - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Damn Yankee - April 19 - 10:50 pm

  Of course this Denalli is awesome in every way. I thought our 03 Yukon was the best thing since sliced bread, but the Denalli made it seem like a 2 for 1 deal at KIA. But have you ever removed your third row seats? If you dont have a chiropractor you better get one. Why are these not folding flat yet? It makes me cringe when we need the space! Wheres the hood light? Also a vehicle in this price range really should have air conditioned seats. And last but not least, as expected the stellar gas mileage. Obviously OPEC subsidises these vehicles in order to keep profits up, I mean this truck will outrun most sports cars on the road today but youll never pass a gas station.

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  Best Truck I have ever owned!! - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Devastator_454 - April 18 - 10:25 pm

  I had no intention of trying to improve this vehicle when I first bought it. But after driving it for the first 2mths I was curious about what else I could do to improve its performance and make it more fun to drive. Just adding a K&N intake to it, the results were undeniable. Since then I have added a Magnaflow exhaust system, changed the 3.42 to 4.10 and added belltech anti-sway bars to name a few. This truck is now Super Awesome. It is the best 4cyl truck out there. Not even import cars with modifications can beat it. One day I plan to drop a larger engine in it. Then I will really be kicken!!

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  5.3 L GMC Yukon SLT - 2001 GMC Yukon
  By brandon - April 18 - 11:38 am

  Overall, a pretty good SUV... The 5.3 V8 gives you the horsepower you want. Gas mileage is the only downside, I average 14 with heavy city driving. I previously owned a 2004 Avalanche with the 5.3 V8 and I averaged 16.7, and I wish that my Yukon averaged that, because I was happy with 17. I recently replaced my O2 sensors (rear), as they were going bad, and improved my gas mileage by 2 MPG. I think I am going to get a K&N high-flow air filter. I had it on my truck, and I improved my gas mileage by about 1.5-2 MPG. I also noticed a little bit of a performance increase. Summary: Great car, just wish it got better gas mileage.

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  Love my GMC Sierra Denali - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Cliff - April 17 - 4:06 am

  Best truck that I have owned to date. 6.0l engine is awesome. Towing my 6000lb boat is a breeze. Like the heated seats on these cold winter days. Very comfortable driving vehicle. Can easyly rack up 500 miles daily. Thats when you wish you had dual gas tanks. Cant complain about gas mileage because of AWD and large engine. A fact that I dont like: The driver O/S mirror is heated but passenger side is not. Kind of strange for $40,000+ truck. All wheel steering is great. The few extra miilimeters of rear axle width seems to improve stability. Recently got 18 mpg with a tail wind.

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  Crew cab 4X4 - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Wesley Willits - April 17 - 2:16 am

  I love the truck, but I have had it in the shop many times within the first couple months of owning it. I had to replace the radio, because it kept shutting off. I had to replace the shift cable, because the transmition was slipping. There have also been problems with the front passenger shock, dash, and bed squeeking. Along with wind noise from the front windshield. I have also noticed less fuel economy than my previous 5.3 from 17mpg to 15mpg, and a loss in low-mid range power (not towing).

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  Great Truck - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Craig12 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  excellent truck no problems looks and handles great

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  I would buy another one! - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By FF2Skip - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I have never regretted one payment made. Great looks. Although I have the 4.8L, she moves. I added Flow- Master duals, Hypertech Power Programmer, and Ultra rims w/ T/A Radials. Even with a heavy foot, I got 19 mpg on average. 2 complaints- 1) Its sometimes hard to get the cabin temperature right when using the heater(it heats up quickly, though), and 2) parking the beast in crowded parking lots. I have two children and they never complained about not having enough space in the back to fight with each other. The 4 doors are great if a car is not parked next to you. Since Im only 58", adult passengers in the back have enough room, too.

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  Overall a great truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By EddieH - April 14 - 11:16 pm

  Overall I love this truck. I LOVE the styling, and its very comfortable to drive. There are a few nitpicking things though, I hate the hesitation when you give it gas suddenly. I am told this is due to GM using "torque management" in their PCM tune. Ford and Dodge do not this. This is probably the only real disappointment. The others are small things like when you hit the recirculation button on the AC, then turn the AC on, it defaults back to outside air, you have to hit the recirculation button again. Drives me nuts. The mileage is about what you would expect from a truck this size and engine size. Overall, I love the truck..the quality is very good.