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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  Never Again - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Never again - August 5 - 8:12 pm

  Worst engine noise ever - told it is normal. Road noise even with noise cancellation system awful. Nice to look at - not to drive. Gas mileage disappointing. Hate red dash lights and bright chrome in center of dash. GMs answer was sell it, turn the radio up and/or it is only noise get over it. Fuel injectors, fuel pump, valve lifters - sounds like a diesel. Loyal GM owner for 40 plus years - never again.

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  Money pit - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By money pit - August 4 - 7:02 pm

  When I finished making payments on this truck thats when everything started to go wrong. The transmission blew twice Im on my third one same for my alternator, water pump, ball joints and the front end, the fuel pump and the intake manifold had to be replaced twice. Then I had to replace the rear wiper motor and rear door lock, the front wiper motor, the radiator, the spider injectors, the front wheel bearings, the window and lock controls never worked right, the 4x4 actuator has to looked at before the first snow fall because it has failed me many times. Thanks to gmc Ill never never buy an American car! Again

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  Back w/GM after 5 yrs in Toyota wilderness - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ColtsChiefsTitans - August 3 - 6:26 pm

  OK, weve got a Highlander which is OK but boring & a Prius which we hated (gets 45 MPG but does nothing else well). HAD to trade it before another winter parking it in garage for fear of sliding off roads! So shopped domestic & import sedans, went into GMC-Buick dealer on a whim to check out a gorgeous but pricy LaCrosse. Wandered across the showroom & sat in the GMC Terrain, the wife fell in love! Great/flexible seating position, VERY comfortable seats, nicely equipped base model, attractive interior, plus STUDLY exterior styling which is the polar opposite of the weeny Prius. Have 1200 miles and getting great MPG: 26 city / 31 hwy. Drives solid as a rock. No wimpy RAV4 or CRV for me!!

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  Reliable vehicle - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Reliable and Love it - August 2 - 9:28 am

  I really love this SUV. It has been very reliable so far and have not had any problems. Of course, it is the DENALI, everything is top of the line. The leather seats are comfortable, the vehicle rides smoothly and havent had any problems these four years. I would also like to point out that the regular mpg in the city is 16.5 / 17 but on the highway I noticed that on our last trip it did 22 mpg, which I think that for the size and weight of this vehicle was pretty good. I definitely would recommended.

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  My Sonoma - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By Mark Maloney - August 1 - 10:39 am

  It has been an excellent truck for me and the wife. it has proven to be dependable and reliable. It is a good driving truck, nice ride.

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  Lemon - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By grajcar42 - July 30 - 4:53 pm

  Purchased mt 2010 terrain on June 11. It was a pleasure to drive. Coming home from vacation on July 3, we were in stop/go traffic on I-95. At a traffic light the car refused to go forward. After pushing the accelerator in moved very slowly and then would pick up speed. We made it home. The car had 1600 miles on it. Dealer cleaned solenoids and car worked fine. July 23 driving on the pa turnpike after stop/go traffic it did the same thing. It took onstar 3 hours to get us towed and a rental. They did the same repair and it worked fine. Coming home on the 28th in stop/go traffic it did it again. The dealer has the car. As of now I dont think I will feel safe driving it again!

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  Love The BEAST - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Big Easy - July 30 - 5:02 am

  My heart absolutely goes pitter patter every time I get behind the steering wheel! I love the smooth ride, the interior, the exterior, the towing capacity and the little gadgets that make me smile! It is the best ride I ever owned!

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  06- GMC Canyon Crew Cab - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By KK - July 29 - 9:25 am

  I had bought my Canyon just 5yrs. ago and outside of regular maint. i had to have the valves redone at 30,000 miles under warranty.. After all these years of driving this truck it still gets great gas millage and and has not left me stranded. Like the I-5 engine with MP3 player. And it looks good as GM has always had nice design. I will be getting the new model canyon..

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  The Vans a Rockin - 1994 GMC Safari
  By Still Going - July 26 - 10:31 pm

  Very sound mechanically and a work- horse when loaded. My kids love the room inside, its like having a mini motor home on vacations, very roomy. Had to replace fuel pump, alt, wiper motto, actually all these were very reasonable as the 94 has less expensive parts then the newer models. One thing I appreciate is the vehicle does not leak a drop of anything, were heading into 20 year territory and the vehicle is very mechanically sound. We have a fleet of Ford Focuses at work and every one of them leak oil. So this is an excellent acquisition, even though its look is a bit dated the heart and soul is still there. I recommend not as a commuter as the gas mileage is to be expected for a 4.3.

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  Traditional SUV - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By James82 - July 26 - 12:37 am

  After owning a 2000 Dodge Durango for 10 years it was time to replace it. I like the space and comfort that a traditional truck based SUV provides and the GMC Yukon did not disappoint. Even though the price tag was pushing close to a base Escalade, a fully loaded Denali seemed like a better choice. This car has an impressive tow rating which helps me for work, the fuel economy is as expected from a large SUV and an average of 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway is okay coming from a previous guzzler so Im used to it. This car is the ultimate road trip car with lots of space and comfortable seats. A good family car that can also hold its own during offroading and one of the best SUVs you can buy.