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 Denali - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By lz5sbv - October 29 - 2:00 am

  All around great vehicle. Interior upgrades for 2003 brought the vehicle to a much better quality level.

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  Lovin every minute of it - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gmctech - October 26 - 9:06 pm

  Love this rig. I am a GM technician and have a great love for the GM trucks. Love the style and the right amount of chrome. Never let me down yet. I live in the maritimes in Canada and love the flawless 4wd system and my truck auto 4wd mode. Fuel mileage is OK, but could be better. Very quiet ride but could use some better quality to rectify the little body creaks, rattles, and squeaks.

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  Loving my New Truck in CA - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Love this Truck - October 26 - 3:20 pm

  I have always wanted to own a truck. I had a mid-size sedan for a year and with two kids, I knew I needed more space. Went to check out the GMC Sierra and I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. I owned a Suburban before and I thought that ride was average. The Sierras ride is smoother; it feels more like a car ride. The gas mileage is not bad (what can you expect from a truck, right?). I recommend this truck to anybody who wishes to drive a nice looking truck.

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  LOVE IT - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By shannon d - October 22 - 10:00 am

  GMC Yukon XL K2500SLT Autoride w/ 8.1L V8.....IS AWESOME! Much better ride than my 96 model. And, for a full size SUV its fast. Excellent braking and handling. Great highway cruiser, we ran 4000 miles our first month and had nothing but a great time. Only one complaint: Delco Radio, Yuck! We pulled out the Delco and Did a slick Kenwood 911DVD with GPS Nav. Playstation2 and a Kenwood Music Keg. Cloud 9 Baby!

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  ENVOY SLT REVIEW - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By LEFTY55 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE TOPS IN ITS CLASS THAT IVE SEEN SP FAR. THE TURNING RADIUS, THE HORSEPOWER, THE COMFORT, IT ALL ADDS UP TO "A+" IN THIS MANS EYES.

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  Endless Major Repairs - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By ck123 - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the vehicle for 13 mths. There have been major repairs. I have spend more time and money on repairs on this GMC than on my three previous vehicles combined in 12 years- Acura,Honda and Nissan. GMC repairs include: 4 wheel drive control switch, fuel pump/sending unit, front wheel bearings, power DR-side window motor. The fuel pump has been the most dangerous to date: the vehicle stalled without warning while travelling on I-40. Power brakes & steering were lost; I drifted until the vehicle came to a stop. The fuel pump had already been changed once and all power window motors had been replaced twice because of failure.

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  Prepare for service! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By gmtruckman - October 16 - 11:19 am

  Very comfortable vehicle but many, many problems with all the little sensors plus the 5.3 liter motor has a major defect and burns oil. GM says 1 quart per 2,000 miles is okay but after 80,000 miles it burns double that. It will even fail inspection for a lean cylinder due to the oil consumption. The services stabilitrack / traction control will also pop on for you on multiple occasions. The tires monitoring system always needs to be reset, the cruise control works only when it wants too and the vehicle used allot of fuel. They say 13c/19hwy but on average you get 14.9 total.

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  Going strong - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By captaingood - October 15 - 9:00 pm

  original owner 2009 103,000 miles daily driver 100 miles every day to work and back. this truck has never let me down rain or snow i never miss work or anywhere i need to go.

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  Not so happy with my 2500HD - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Tim - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I had a dent on the hood when I purchased the truck. The push button 4 wheel drive went out (defective switch). The passenger side door module went bad (havent got it fixed yet, they cant get the part). The truck has 1300 miles. These trucks arent cheap and so far Im not impressed. GMC needs to clean up there act!

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  Pleased - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Pop-pop - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I am pleased with this vehicle. Roomy and easy to get in and out of. Plenty of "inside" storage space (rear seats fold down for a huge platform). Plenty of power.