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:

• 

  Yukon XL - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Jtrimble - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had 1998 and 2001 Linc Navigators and the 2001 had all sorts of problems and has a ride that compares to a 3/4 ton truck. The GMC Yukon XL has more room and good towing capacity, but drives with car comfort. Very consistant purformer with good quality to value ratio in the GMC Yukon.

• 

  Best tucks on the road - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Tripp Alexander - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my second one, and both trucks have been great. They will outrun all of the other 2003 factory trucks except for the Ford Lightning and Dakota R/T.

• 

  Sticker mileage statement - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By ken smith - October 23 - 5:33 pm

  vehicle is rated at 16 in city, 20 on hwy. Expected 15 in city and 18 on hwy. Realistically am getting approx 12.4 city and 16.5 on hwy. Have checked several times. Good, conservative driver aged 77. Driving GMC trucks for 18 years. Best overall truck for quality, performance, and resale.

• 

  What a Ride ! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Borgward - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Have only had this Envoy for 3 weeks but I am more than impressed with the ride and comfort. My last three cars were Mercury Grand Marquis and I must say the ride of this one is far superior. Im one of those guys who said Id never own an SUV, but after spending an hour with a demo I was smitten. Have two minor problems, one is I cant get any water to come from the rear window washer, and the other one of the turn signal illumination lights will not light. Im sure nothing major, just waiting for a few more miles to get that adjusted. Only other problem is a little wind noise around the drivers door.

• 

  VERY Tough Truck - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Nate - October 17 - 12:00 pm

  My truck is a bare-bones model set up for hard work--manual trans and 4WD, no carpet, plow mount, etc--and its main use is hauling firewood. Its often driven off road into the forest on extremely rough ground, then out again fully loaded with green oak. Ive got to be at the 9200lb GVW, but the truck still performs very well. The granny gear gets the load moving with no problem, and the dual-piston calipers stop her just fine. On the road and unloaded, the truck rides very nicely for a vehicle with so much load- handling capacity. All-in-all, Ive been very impressed.

• 

  The BEST SUV - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Fourroses - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned and have bought many new vehicle such as Cadillac, Reatta, etc. There are absolutely none that can compare to the ride, comfort, handling, and options of 2002 GMC Envoy. This Envoy had every available option and would not own any SUV on the market today.

• 

  Should have kept my ford - 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD
  By Z Costello - October 16 - 7:09 am

  Bought this truck brand new. Needed a dually for towing. Thought I couldnt go wrong with a new Denali diesel. Was I wrong. Digital steering assist whines in the steering column when at idle. Ridiculous for a $70k truck. I also have cabin noise issues. I can hear the ticking of exhaust coming from dash area on driver side. Not well insulated for outside noises. And just last week noticed I have about 2 inches of play in the steering wheel. Hard to control at highway speeds. Gm has been terrible to deal with. They say everything is normal for this truck. Completely unexceptable. Traded my Ford F-350 for this.....big mistake. I am pursuing lemon law on this truck. Has been in dealer 3 times for same issue. Going in again to see if they can fix. Gm doesnt have a fix therefore its normal. Thats not gonna fly. *Just to update. Took my truck in again for issues listed above. As expected GM has no fix for problems. They agreed the digital assisted steering is noisy but they dont know how to fix so they chalked it up to a normal characteristic of the truck. Really bad service. Ill be going back to a Ford soon. Never had an issue with my F350s.

• 

  Large comfortable SUV - 2009 GMC Yukon XL
  By Uncle John - October 15 - 1:26 pm

  Just replaced 2007 Suburban LTZ and cant hardly believe the difference. Denali is far more fun and quick. Plan to haul trailer of about 7000lb. So that 6.2L motor will be a blessing. Really impressed by a guy who has had over 80 vehicles from Ferrari to Volkswagon.

• 

  I love this truck! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By horsemom - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I tow a horse trailer. When I drove this truck, I thought it would help with towing. What a great surprise that I could drive it downtown, park it in a ramp, and actually not worry about the back end sliding in the snow. Its heaven after my F150, much more like a Cadillac than a truck. I love this truck!

• 

  Good, but not great - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By candleman - October 10 - 11:50 pm

  This diesel was an upgrade from a gas Dodge RAM1500. Pulling a 7,000lb trailer now seems effortless. Turbocharger takes a long time to engage and gas mileage wasnt as good as Id expected for a diesel- about 12.5 pulling trailer which is disappointing since over 20 without. Just had 3 injectors replaced under 100K Duramax warranty which I believe was a known problem in all GM diesels from 2002-2006. No recall, of course! No significant change in power or mileage with the new injectors. I hate that GM always adds a $95+ "diagnostic fee" for the computer hookup with any service. Also- computers trip timer hasnt worked since purchase and the stereo speaker sound is absolutely awful.