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 Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By siamese133 - July 14 - 10:43 am

  I absolutely love this car. I dont feel that its a big vehicle, even though it is quite large. I recommend this car to everyone that has a minivan and hates them.

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  2007 GMC Denali - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By carlapappy - July 13 - 8:53 am

  I have to say, I went from a VW New Beetle to this beautiful GMC vehicle. Ive only owned Chevys in the past (excluding my short stint with the Bug), and I am so pleased that I purchased this SUV. No, the gas mileage isnt the greatest, but the satisfaction and pure enjoyment that I get out of driving everyday makes up for it. I hope to have this car well over the 100k mileage mark as I travel from duty station to duty station across the U.S. I am a proud owner of this GMC!

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  Safe! - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By nonya - July 11 - 2:26 pm

  Had this vehicle for two years until a couple of weeks ago. I was on a small gravel road and I rolled it. I escaped with nothing more than a few scratches. The vehicle retained its shape even after rolling multiple times. The strength and qaulity of this vehicle probably saved my life. Very save SUV. More than makes up for the mediocre gas mileage.

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  Greatest First Car - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Jrod08 - July 7 - 11:31 am

  I have had this vehicle over a year now. It has really grown on me. I originally wanted a 1998 or newer Blazer, but I got my Jimmy instead. The 4.3 liter engine is outstanding. Every time someone sees my SUV they say that the engine in it is really good. GM designed the V6 really well. I get 20 miles per gallon city driving and around 23 highway. I am highly satisfied with that. Ive always wanted the interior that the 1998 and up Jimmies have, but it is satisfactory. Never had any major mechanical or electrical problem. I have only replaced the front ball joints on the suspension arms and replaced the ignition wires in the steering column.

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  Great Crossover Vehicle - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By R Hansen - June 28 - 12:43 pm

  I switched from a Toyota Sequoia to the GMC Acadia. This Acadia give me 28 mpg at 65 mph. I added a Fitch Fuel Catalyst to gain 4 mpg. The quality is great, ride is comfortable, plenty of cargo room. A quiet engine, comfortable seats. OnStar is super. The instrumentation is excellent. Excellent vehicle stability. A great value. GMC has a winner with the Acadia.

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  Z71 GMC - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Gary Zimmerman - June 28 - 10:00 am

  My Z71 has been nothing short of the best vehicle I have ever owned. I have driven it very much on long trips and it is an awesome truck. It has never let me down in any task I have required it to perform. Im a firm believer in the fact I will be a GMC man forever.

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  Heck of a truck - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By 2006 gmc crew cab - June 25 - 11:05 pm

  I picked this up in March of 06 and immeadiately took it on a trip, getting mid to high 20s in MPG. Other than regular maintenance, it has never had any work done on it. I previously had a 2001 GMC Sonoma 4x4. This truck is 2wd, saving gas. Since then, I have taken many trips with this vehicle, and the truck has performed extremely well! I plan to replace it with another one just like it when my lease is up. The Japanese makers can keep their trucks!

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  Very nice vehicle - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By mike - June 25 - 5:02 am

  This is a very nice vehicle. I love to drive this and it has a lot of power, and has good handling. The 10 Bose speakers are really good. We checked out the Tahoe, Armada, X5, Escalade, and Pathfinder, and this had more power (except Escalade) than the rest of them and better fuel economy. This also has power running boards that people really look at. Very comfortable 4 captain heated seats.

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  2nd Diesel, Im keeping this one - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Justin - June 23 - 10:20 am

  This is the 6.6L with the Duramax/Allison combination, not the 6.0L. I previously had an 05 with similar features but wasnt worth the buyout at the end of the lease. There are things I liked about the 05 that the 08 lacks but most of all, Im very pleased with the truck. Towing is great. Crewcab 8 bed is a long truck though. Park it at home if you intend to go into a city.

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  Best thing Ive ever owned - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Chris - June 20 - 3:12 pm

  I bought the truck brand new with 3 miles on it. Nothing has went wrong with it in five years, so if you take care of it, it will take care of you.The truck has got 90,000 miles on it now and most of it is highway miles. Did some modifiyng but an air intake system and a AIC model in it and I get about 42 miles to the gallon, before it got 37.