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 XL Denali - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Johhn - December 10 - 10:00 am

  If you need lots of room and still want the luxury without the gaudiness of an Escalade, then this is the right machine to buy. Great ride. Easy to drive. Well crafted and tight. Wish the interior could have some better appointments, a lot of plastic but OK. Overall, a fine vehicle. I just bought this one and couldnt bear the thought of trading in my 99 Denali. Their that good.

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  92 Suburban c1500 - 1992 GMC Suburban
  By B - December 2 - 11:13 am

  My 92 Suburban was in my family, a family member gave it to me. It was pretty well taken care of except for the fact he barely drove it, so some rust accumilated. It has the great 5.7 liter, which isnt too good on gas. Also, the 42 gallon tank is very unforgiving. Ill put in $40 in gas, and the needle barely moves, but whatever it is really fun to drive. My exhaust was falling off so I put in a performance LMC truck dual ehaust system, which sounds great, and was only $20 more than a stock style system. I also put in a new stereo, and speakers because the one it came with didnt work. If you take care of this truck, it will work great.

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  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
  By tdorsett_1 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Hauling hay and horses has never been so easy, power to spare, better on fuel mileage that I would have though. Pulling a small 2-horse slant load trailer with two 1200 lb. horses or a twenty-foot trailer loaded with three round bails of hay, I get an average of 18 miles per gallon. Without pulling, I get between 21 and 25 miles per Gallon. (Highway)

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  Maybe DODGE next time??? - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By kg - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I have the experience of driving botht he F-150 and the new GMC and I have to honestly say after owning both vehicle, that the F-150 seems more solid. The 6 speed transmission shift funny, it shifts when it seems like it should hold the gear longer and downshifts when it shouldnt. Sometimes for no reason at all, it will just shift hard. I pull a 6000 pound camper trailer with my GMC and pulled the same one with the F-150. The GMC transmition is just not up to the task. If a GMC can not do a trucks job, who can?? Perhaps Dodge, I hear they make a good truck these days. Hopefully GM will take a serious look at their trans in next years model, and consider a recall on current ones.

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  My great little truck - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By dougstatler - November 18 - 6:53 pm

  I purchased my Sonoma slightly used with less then 5,000 miles on it and less then a year old. It suved me fathfully for over 8 years untill last month when a drunk crosed the center line and hit me almost head on. I always liked the looks of the truck, and with the 4.3 V6 and a 5 speed it was no slouch. Very handy for light hauling but still very easy to manuver in tight parking lots. I have very few problems with the truck other then it always had a thurst for brake pads and sometimes rotors. It served me well right up to the end when drunk idiot hit me with an older Ford F150. She was totaled (even buckled the roof) but she got even, the big Ford was damaged just as badly.

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  Stole one on Ebay - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By JDL - November 13 - 5:13 am

  I bought this truck used for $22K on Ebay in Dec 06 with 42K miles on it. It has nav, DVD, and the sunroof and has run for almost another 40K miles with very few problems. It is powerful, fun to drive, and is great for a family of 5 but drinks gas like crazy. For 22K invested I cant complain.

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  Happy In California - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By bobo - November 10 - 10:59 am

  The Envoy performs very well. It is Great on handling and is roomy. The Navi and back seat radio and air conditioning only make it better.

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  My Nali Denali - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Bob and Julie - November 8 - 7:23 pm

  I personally love my Denali! The only thing that really bothers me is the "faulty tire monitor system" has been fixed twice now since I have owned the car. I have had to take it to the dealer twice for a little oil leak problem, but it is now fixed. Also, it jumps when taking off. I told the dealership and they said they couldnt find anything wrong. All in all, I wouldnt trade it for anything right now.

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  2007 Denali XL Problems - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By aedmundson - November 6 - 12:53 am

  I love my 2007 Denali XL but I have had major issues with it. Guages will quit working while driving, tells me to services suspension system, airbags, and tire pressure. Radio will not work, air condition freezes, windows wont roll down. Service dept has failed to fix it or find the problem. It has been in the shop 3 times. Also had leak in the rear damaged carpet and roof liner. Love the truck. I have been driving Denalis since 2000. I get a new one every year. Huge improvement from 06.

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  Nice truck, but the driveability is questionable - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By jgedde - November 5 - 3:49 am

  The Edmunds review does a good job of describing the trucks good sides. OK, now for the downsides. The throttle response on this truck is an absolute disgrace. There is a delay before your right foots motion changes acceleration. That and the transmissions obsession with getting into the highest gear possible makes a sluggish combination during normal driving. A downshift sometimes takes several seconds! If this is all for fuel economy, I could possibly understand, but the economy, so far, isnt much better than the 2005 5.3 Avalanche this truck replaced. Maybe because Im pushing this truck too hard trying to get it to respond to my right foot... Shoulda got the Ram...