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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  2004 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3 litre - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By REber - June 4 - 3:30 am

  The truck is more care like than truck. The suspension is soft and bottoms under heavy load. Ive never attained the fuel economy declaired, only about 13 to 17 at best. Its been recalled once. The brakes have never been grippy enough. GM says the dashboard may go out at 70,000 miles and the stearing column center shaft went out twice. Now the left front wheel bearing is going out. The truck has not been abused!! I want to buy American but the quality needs to improve before that happens again! Most of the miles are highway miles with lite loads. The repairs have been very pricy. I purchased the truck new and there are only 39000 miles on it.

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  The Envoy is Awesome! - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By JWR1996 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  GM has really done a nice job with the Envoy. It seems as thought they are actually taking some of the foreign car interior features and combining them with the old GM American options. I think it has great styling and some really super features.

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  Love my GMC - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By SouthwesternNative - May 30 - 11:42 pm

  We werent even considering GMCs when we came across this SUV. We love it. We were actually test driving a Buick Rendezvous at the time. It is a heavy old-school SUV but for the price range it was very nice and solid inside and out. Gas is $4 a gal now and we are rethinking it but still a great car!

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  SLS Ext 2.2 Man - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By truck - May 29 - 8:59 pm

  Great truck. 28mgp highway. Not a lot of power but has 2.2 5 speed. All had to do was the brakes at 70k today. Just over 100k. Great value

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  Jimmy, OK! - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By cardude1 - May 28 - 9:08 am

  The SUV is pretty good! Some things have gone bad on it like the ball joints and the catalytic converter is going bad right now but overall it is a good SUV!

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  Great Truck - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By AlarmBatteiesPlusEba - May 27 - 3:16 pm

  I bought the dealers demo model that came standard with two rear LCD TVs that can accomodate, DVD, TV or wireless playstation. The rearview camera is helpful in leaving the driveway.

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  2000 GMC Sierra - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Larry Newsome - May 27 - 2:00 am

  The truck rides and handles well. Fuel economy is acceptable. I tow a 18 foot boat without any problems. But I use it primarily for transportation. I have about 41000 miles and lately I have noticed numberous body rattles. The exterior paint is not very hard, it scratches very easy.

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  RJ - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By RJ - May 26 - 7:00 pm

  I like the Terrain, rides nice and feels like a more expensive vehicle. Still getting used to the "reverse" camera.

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  Better than what I expected - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Achris - May 25 - 2:10 pm

  Bought this Envoy used at 48K miles. So 10K miles later no complaints. Easier to drive than most other SUVs. Good acceleration, however dont expect a lot of MPG if you tend to speed. Though looking at these other reviews I get about 19mpg on this with normal driving.

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  Great truck, bad MPG - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By kthomas1975 - May 24 - 11:19 pm

  Great truck, horrible gas mileage. Ive averaged 15 mpg. This truck has plenty of power, great ride, quiet cabin (except for the roar of my V8 when I accelerate. leg room is great. Im 65" tall, and love to sit in the back with my toddler when my wife drives. I wish I had opted for more options, and the Tahoe is exactly the same truck, but several hundred dollars cheaper similarly equipped at most dealerships. If you dont do long commutes, and have a need for lots of room, you cant go wrong with a Yukon or Tahoe. I have 40,000 miles and have never had any problems.