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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  My new GMC Sierra SLT Vortec Max Crew cb - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By 1sttimetruck owner - September 7 - 4:30 am

  I just bought my truck a few days ago. I got the vortec max SLT. I was worried about such a big engine and fuel economy (6.0 liter) but when under moderate excelleration or on the highway it only uses 4 cylinders giving it better mileage than my mini-van that I traded in on it. It is very comfortable and the fit and finish of the leather and brushed aluminum trim competes with a Mercedes or BMW. The new design is way ahead of anything else I have seen on the road, when people see it they cant help but notice its size and intmidating looks. Yes I also got it because I have neer owned anything but a GM automobile, but after driving it around I know I made the right choice.

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  BUY AMERICA - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GATOR3434 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  GREAT TRUCK, 10 TIMES BETTER THAN ANY FOREIN TRUCK

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  No Comparison - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By imi003 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Still a great value vs overpriced Escalade ESV without the obnoxious front end. Unparalleled acceleration and handling for a 3 ton machine. Mileage may be bad relative to small SUVs, but quite good considering the performance and weight. Compare mileage to Excursion. My old Ford averaged just 8.5 MPG. Denali XL looks just as good at the club as it does pulling a 7000 pound trailer. Excursion just looks obese.

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  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jason 95834 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I have taken all the makes for this type of truck for a test drive, and this truck was the one. The GMC has the best handeling/comfort, good power and excellent seats and interior(did not look tastless or cheasy).Hardly any wind noise and no annoying vibrations. Build quality I am most impressed with. Someone in a Mustang t-boned the truck on the drivers side and caused 3K worth of damage. Totaled the Mustang. Most importantly no one was injured. I got the truck back after the body shop fixed and cleaned it up.Hats off to the guys at the body shop and to the GMC division for building a great truck keeping my wife safe.

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  Great Truck! - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By dnlintl - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought the truck as a family vehicle for the wife an 2 kids. Plenty of room for every one. I would have preferred the crew cab version if they werent so dang expensive!

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  Its big! - 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By marty - August 13 - 3:50 pm

  My 1st 3/4 ton. I have the 6.0 gas with a 6 speed hydramatic. Everyone told me it would be a gas hog. I get an average of 18 mpg mixed driving. For a gasoline engine, its a torque monster. I think it would pull a mountain. Very powerful acceleration, smooth and quiet for an HD truck. On a bumpy street, you will spill your coffee! It is a big, intimidating looking "AMERICAN" vehicle. Nice standard features like the satellite radio, onStar and integrated trailer brakes. My only complaint is that the cab "creaks" when you hit a harsh bump. This is a truck for real truck lovers. Volvo, Honda and Toyota drivers stay way. This is a real truck, built to do a real trucks job.

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  Elevation Edition - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Pak Him - August 13 - 8:35 am

  I live in Canada and the Elevation Edition just arrived for 2016. Great looking truck with the Elevation package. Tons of compliments. The engine provides just enough power for how i use the truck and the cylinder management works great. Shopped other trucks but no one else provides such a good looking truck in the same trim and price.

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  Egg shell front - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By commander - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I was very disappointed in the survivability of the front bumper and grill. If you check the grill is held in by two plastic snap-on clips. I accidentaly hit a bird at 60 mph and the grill came apart. Very poor design. No...it was not a frozen chicken! So much for GMC Truck like ruggedness.

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  No regrets - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Don - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I was shopping for a Ford F150 and was determined to get the best. I was frustrated that I could not get factory remote start, DVD or a motor that impressed me. Just by chance I decided to check out the Denali. It had everything I wanted, NAV, DVD, Sunroof, heated steering wheel/seats and best of all a motor with more power than I ever imagined. This thing is a beast and sexy as ever. I turn more heads with this truck than I did with my Mustang Cobra. Its a combination of looks(black with chrome everywhere) and sound (the 6.2 L sounds like a 60s muscle car) Everytime I start the truck it puts a smile on my face. The black leather and stitching is perfect. Manual shift is awesome.

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  GMC XL Denali - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By ScoutHauler - August 8 - 1:10 am

  Just coming to the end of my first year of ownership( 20K miles) No problem to report. Love the GPS/Nav system.