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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  Best mileage for a vehicle this size - 2000 GMC Safari
  By minneapolismarc - March 31 - 11:11 am

  No vehicle that can tow 6000 pounds gets better MPG than this van. I bought the 2 wheel (not AWD) version for the mileage. I drive 75 on the freeway with the cruise on and with the city stop and go I get 19.5 mpg on every tank. Less of course if I tow my boat. I work as a mechanic and did not even bother to inspect the van for more than 10 minutes as the original owner had the maint. paperwork. The only things I have had to do is replace the metal strip that holds on the lower trim between the front and rear wheels cost $125. Plastic line cracked under the hood for heater fan selector- free fix and common problem. Oil cooler lines seep but who cares it is common + cheap fix if you do.

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  So Far, So Good - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By BloodRedHog - March 29 - 7:32 pm

  The Denali with the AutoRide suspension feels tight and has little body roll. You get a 6-speed tranny, 380 hp, 417 torque, and every comfort feature imaginable for under 50k.

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  Great Truck! - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By trobin5526 - March 28 - 9:54 am

  We picked up the Denali based on a special price we could not pass up. It replaced our 2001 Tahoe Z71. No comparison. It has been great so far, for the power and features the fuel consumption is reasonable(16.5 mpg) in mixed driving. Thoroughly impressed at this point!

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  Bought Domestic - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Norman Wachtel - March 27 - 12:53 pm

  After 15 years of swearing off US made Im back. Much improved quality but I have warranty work to be done that was apparent when I drove it off the lot and did not with makes from Japan, Germany, or Korea. So still room for improvement. Love the truck and my wife would rather go in it than her SL550 or my Equus

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  Wind Noise - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By colorado nurse - March 26 - 10:25 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 6 months now. I have returned it to the dealership 3 times with complaints of excessive wind noise on the driver side. No matter what is done to it, it seems the noise level increases. I have been told that this is an inherent quality of large mirrors. I traded my Yukon Denali with large mirrors. I did not have this problem with the Yukon. I would like to know if other owners of this vehicle are having the same issue. I am at wits end! PS- What happened to a courtesy light under the hood and in the glove compartment?

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  Good Buy / Low resale - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By JR - March 25 - 12:10 am

  The only complaint I have with this vehicle is the passenger seat. It squeaks while driving. I had the dealer take a look at it and they repaired it for a little and it is back. I have not had anyone over 230 lbs in this chair and it will do it with no load in the chair.

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  7 years of great service - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By Jay - March 24 - 6:26 am

  We bought our 98 Burb in 2000 w/59000 miles, getting out of a poor quality Chrysler minivan. We knew what to expect as far as gas mileage but didnt as far as reliability. After countless trips back and forth to soccer games, school, 2000 mile vacations, this Burbhas never stranded us on the road and has only been in the shop twice for repair work- intake gasket and fuel pump. The only reason were selling it is because one of my children is getting ready to drive, so were downsizing. Except for the 14 mpg around town, this Burb has been as dependable as any Toyota or Honda!

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  Owner - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Joe Floyd - March 14 - 6:45 pm

  The spare tire is a 16" tire. At 25,300 mile I had tire damage, drove 200 miles on spare with 17" regular tires. Had to repace all 4 tires due to being a AWD and 25M miles on 35M mile tires. Repaced spare with correct size. Contacted GM and received a reply of nothing. Out $875.00 for tires at 25M miles. How cheap will GM go on a $50,000 car? Please check this problem if you buy a GM AWD. They will not stand behind any mechanical problem that may occur. They could at least put the correct spare tire on these expensive cars.

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  Owned for almost 6 months - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Bill - March 13 - 8:59 pm

  We purchased a Yukon in October, and we love it. We will definitely buy another. In 4 years, weve gone through 15 vehicles between my wife and I, and most of them because she wasnt happy with thier performance. We own a horse farm, and her orignal vehicle was a 99 Yukon. The SUV does great. She has room for all of her things, as well as our two year olds toys and clothes and car seat. She loves to drive it, and when Im given the option, I like it too. Weve taken it on vacation, driven it in the snow, and loved every part of it. It handles better in the snow and ice than our trucks have in the past. Will not hesitate to purchase another. Maybe with more options next time.

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  My Sierra - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jaymo_1 - March 6 - 7:56 am

  Im enjoying my GMC Sierra! It has been modified a little. So, that always helps (I NEED MORE POWER!!!). Love the 4X4 options being push button and on the fly. This truck rides like a car. Actually, much better than most cars Ive driven. The dual pipes, chrome rims, tinted windows, and a windshield visor that I added sure cause heads to turn.