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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  We love it - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Loretta Bradley - November 16 - 2:00 am

  My husband & I have really enjoyed this GMC pick up. I like the extended cab & the extra doors for convenience of accessing the back seat. The dual heat/air control is especially convenient for my husband & I. I love the way the truck handles on the road, the smooth ride & the comfort of the front bucket seats (although I wish the passenger side reclined more for snoozes on long trips. We are SPOILED for regular am/fm radio now that we have XM Radio in the truck! Just generally LOVE this truck (have had it for about 5 or 6 weeks now & already took it on a 1000 miles round trip).

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  Comfy truck - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By lynctod - November 15 - 6:16 am

  Im used to GMs full-sized trucks, owning a pair of pickups in the past (a 97 and 01 model). Knowing that the cabin is the same foreward of the driver seat of the 01, I wasnt expecting much of a change, but it really is much more comfy - probably due more to the suspension than anything. The seats even feel better than my 01 Silverado. The 6.0 is a MUCH better engine than the 5.3 or the 350, as it feels much stronger while being even more smooth.

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  Dont do it! Bad truck - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By qzationsa - November 14 - 2:50 pm

  I have written a few reviews now and somehow they keep getting taken down. This truck is by far the worst truck I have ever owned. The transmission hunts for gears and bangs and clangs. GM said thats normal. The seat has broken 4 times and has been replaced, still broken. Headlights are a joke and a safety issue when it is wet out. Nothing in the truck works right. GPS cannot find addresses, and that ride, awful. When I hit a bump I get a ping in the rear end. Again, according to GM normal. If you like to drive you dont want this truck. I love looking at this truck but I cannot stand driving it. Its awful, its slow and those gears are some of the worst I have ever experienced.

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  loved it, now just like it - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By LAE - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Envoy SLT in Jan 2002. It is loaded. We really shopped around and I liked the looks and ride of it the best. It is a real fun car to drive and handles well. Have almost 7k miles with a few problems and holding my breath. Love the seat recall as my husband is taller than me, Bose system is great! Like the dash, very functional.Smoothest ride around.Turning radius is great.

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  We are testing Envoys for GMC - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By GCrim - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I was seriously considering buying an Envoy XL but the problem I have with American manufacturers, GMC included, is the fact they offer a new designed vehicle to the public for us to test it. We are paying to test vehicles for them. Has anyone wondered why Honda and Toyota have such high quality vehicles? Envoys get bad gas mileage, small fuel tank, wind noise, rattles, too much body roll in turns, etc.. Even the Idler Arm brackets that control the steering were breaking causing loss of control and possible crashes. Foreign mfgrs test their vehicles first before selling them, therefore they are quality deluxe! Im reluctant to buy an Envoy now.

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  Wish I bought the Tundra - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By numbskull - November 14 - 8:50 am

  At 900 mi It was in the shop for clunk/bang/vibration in the drive train. . after several annoying/time consuming attempts. GM bulletin (drive line clunk)#99-04- 02-002A. Not to be confused with the engine clunk/piston slap bul. This truck acts and sounds like the 1996 I sold prior. with 150,000 hard miles. Im finding out that there are many bulletins and dissatisfied customers with several of the 00/01/02 model yrs. It now has 10000 mi and Im sorry I ever bought it!!!

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  Lovin it - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Lisa Tyler - November 13 - 2:36 am

  The perfect car for a mom who refused the minivan stigma but needed something easy and cool for three kids and a husband. Worried about first year model, but after test driving and reading these reviews, we bought and have no regrets.

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  Back to Ford - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By livinhi - November 12 - 12:35 pm

  I purchased this 9mo ago it had a few mile on it 150000 to be exact but thats how I purchase all my cars. This thing had so many problems with it I am shocked. I am usually a Ford person but love the looks of the Denali. Wow never again. The slip yoke problem on this thing is enouph to drive a person crazy. The mechanics cant seem to fix it or even find the problem, but they sure can hear it banging, it feels like the entire drive line is going to fall off. So Im done with GM back to Ford!!

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  A refined, well built truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By MountainMan - November 11 - 12:26 pm

  Well designed, well built truck that is a pleasure to drive, but it struggles to pull my small 6000lb 5th wheel trailer over some moutain passes. ATF temps up around 215 deg although total weight well within published rating. Front end styling is ugly.

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  Starting problem - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Dan Charron - November 10 - 9:18 am

  I do not know if there is a recall on the ignition.I turn the key and all gauges on the cluster go crazy.I got to turn the key to off and keep on trying until it catches then its good to start. Also i had to replace all seals in the rear-end,some how water got in it with the other owner and around later November of 08 i started to hear a loud noise,i took it to the garage and they found i nice chunk of ice the belly of the rear-end. It cost me $1200.00 to replace all seals.I had to change both front wheel bearings and a left tie-rod at 89,000KM. I love my Envoy but they are very costly to repair..