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:

• 

  Love it except for the low gas mileage - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By nparsona - February 7 - 5:36 am

  I love this car! I can convert the seats easliy to carry cargo or the kids for carpooling. I can leave my cargo in the car and still carry 5 kids. Very versital and fun to drive.The low gas mileage is an issue, but the space and handling make up for it. If you need a minivan, but dont want to drive one, buy this car! It has the space and features of a minivan without the stigma of it.

• 

  A very well built ride - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By ultrakim - February 6 - 8:24 pm

  We have put 40000 miles on our 2003 SLT 4wd since buying it used.The only problems we have had are a tailight bulb and one service engine soon light. the light turned out to be letting us know it was time to do a transfer case lube change. We love this truck and it looks fly with 20 s on it. Bose system stock is better than most aftermarket systems with subs and amps etc that I have put in. The in town mileage is about 15 but it is a very solid and heavy, safe vehicle. I feel like we have thousands of more miles to put on it yet.

• 

  3/4 ton Yukon XL w/ a 496 V8! - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By VCCole - February 6 - 3:20 pm

  Interior is awesome, but I have leather. Its hot/cold and your butt doesnt stay in place, it s slick. Build quality is amazing. Was hit from behind at 35mph (I was at a dead stop) and 1/2 ton Toyotas front end was nearly non existant. My bumper had a slight dent. These are tanks! The transmission slips once in a great while. GM needs to work on that problem. No breakdowns.

• 

  Envoy - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By DWinMN - February 6 - 11:26 am

  I purchased the Envoy after driving my 99 GMC Jimmy nearly 200000 miles. After test driving competitor models, I returned to GMC for a vehicle with more features and more for my money. The Envoy has been flawless in performance. The mileage isnt the greatest but accelerating easy has me exceeding the estimated mpg. I am getting 16.5 mpg city and 22-23 highway. The Envoy has good visibility and drives off road reasonably well. I am still impressed by how comfortable the seats are. Storage and space is impressive. GMC just needs to add some of teh features of the Acadia and they will have the perfect mid size SUV.

• 

  Good Choice - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By JB - February 5 - 11:36 am

  Weve had our Acadia since May 07, and we love it! Everyone who rides in it loves it as well. Our Acadia is comfortable and has a smooth ride. There are so many great things about this car that they far outweigh any negatives. The chrome accents in the interior look sharp but do sometimes reflect sun into your eyes. Initially had sluggish transmission, but GMC had software recall and since has been shifting much better. Gas mileage has improved since update as well however, not as good as sticker rated mpg. Overall great choice. Were so pleased GM designed this vehicle. Great family car. Plenty room with sporty look and feel. Go test drive and youll be hooked.

• 

  Almost Perfect! - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Sheepless - February 4 - 2:10 pm

  Before purchasing this vehicle I researched everything about it to the inth degree. I ended up trying to decide b/t the 08 Tundra and the 08 Sierra. I test drove the Tundra and liked it, immediatly following I went and test drove the Sierra and fell in love. MPG is as advertised. I can feel the v8 switch to 4cyl but no one else in the veh can, not a bid geal. My 2 dislikes: the brakes and transmission. Simply put, replace the rear drums with the Tundras disc brakes and replace the 4 speed tranny with a 5 or 6 speed and you have the perfect truck! The 5.3 (w the 4 speed) feels less beefy than you would expect. All in all, I am extremely pleased. I am now a GM man for life.

• 

  2003xlquadrasteer - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By stack - February 2 - 2:00 am

  great suv, handles great

• 

  GMC denali 2003 - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By CORVETTEKID - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Gmc Denali is by Far the Best SUV on the Market. You Will not be Disappointed. The 6.0 V8 is awesome.

• 

  Awesome ride! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By LFerr - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Wow! What a comfortable ride in this SUV! As soon as I test drove (24 hour GM test drive special) the SLT model of the Envoy, I was in love. SLT model had some incredible bells & whistles. Although, we chose the SLE b/c we wanted cloth interior. Have been really impressed w/ the quality of interior & ride. Seats have confort & pleny of room for cargo & kids.

• 

  Wonderful SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Rbauman - February 2 - 2:00 am

  What a beautiful looking SUV, exterior and interior! Always was a Jeep man, Im so glad I made the switch! Try it, youll love it! RLB