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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  Awesome 2500 HD - 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Eric - October 26 - 8:50 am

  Was driving a 2006 2500 HD SLT and loved it. Just traded and picked up my 2007 2500 HD SLT. Wow, what a huge change. Feels like I am driving a luxury large SUV. Totally updated inside and out. Inside much better and up to date. Quiet ride. Feels larger than 2006 when driving. Smooth. Recommend this one!

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  Great Automobile! Car is so responsive. - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By G S English - October 24 - 2:06 am

  This is my third new GMC Acadia - the reliability is exceptional, extremely comfortable ride, abundant amenities and great storage space for travel.

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  WHAT CAN YOU SAY....? - 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
  By Big Money - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Extremely Satisfied with Fllet Manager Diane Ford, Ironic working for GM with that Name. Excellent Truck! 230K MILES On the Last One and going for 430k On the Duramax/Allison Combonation.

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  2006 - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Ron - October 19 - 4:42 pm

  Very comfortable on long drives. V8 has lots of power and good gas mileage for the size. Been averaging 22 highway and 18.5 overall. Back seats could be set further back to allow more room for passengers, and would allow seats to fold flat with front seats back.

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  Mileage numbers reasonably accurate - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By papanav - October 15 - 8:18 pm

  As of this writing have 7600 miles on my truck with most of that mileage highway miles. I consistently get 22 mpg and did get 24.8 mpg on a trip to Delaware. I have a tonneau cover which I am sure helps with mileage and I noticed on flat terrain the truck runs in 4 cylinders and 6th a lot, hence good mileage. When I pull my trailer with my compact tractor the mileage drops off considerable because it is working much harder. I get about 12-14 mpg in that configuration. Very smooth running truck, comfortable and good looking.

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  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By David - October 15 - 5:40 am

  I can not be happier with my Sierra. I needed a truck that would tow our 17 foot ski boat and what I got was much better. I traded in a beautiful 1993 Toyota 2.4L pick-up that had 253,000 on her and was still going strong. I hated to do it but I had to have something that would tow a ski boat. I will admit that I looked at other trucks including the Tundra but nothing came close to the comfort of the Sierra. I drive 72 miles round trip in Atlanta traffic daily and this truck is more comfortable than any car. After I replaced the factory GoodYear tires with Firestones, I had no trouble on wet roads and the ride is whisper quiet. No problems with the truck or repairs needed.

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  2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4 x 4 - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mike - October 11 - 10:46 pm

  Ive had my truck for 6 years, and I still love it. Its been a great work truck, and has the comfort of driving a car. Its been great in both the snow and mud, and has never had a problem. Its definitely a keeper. The only thing that I wish is that I would have gotten the rear window defogger, and the 4th door.

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  Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By mike m - October 10 - 5:36 pm

  Traded the 07 Caddy Escalade. Almost identical interior and options. However, the Acadia is better, more storage, easier to adjust the rear seats, back seats fold down. Miles per gallon, need I say anymore. Improvements over the Caddy, price,storage,double moonroof, rear seats move back an forth for taller passengers, amazing leg room for thrid seat passengers and easier to use options.

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  Like the Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Jim C - October 10 - 2:16 pm

  I expect the Acadia will sell very well because it has nearly everything a family w/ 3+ kids is looking for if you vehemently opposed to driving/owning a minivan. Most of the features of a minivan without the ridicule from your friends and family. Hard to put a price tag on that! We researched and looked at nearly every third-row SUV and kind of stumbled upon the Acadia and were pleased to find that it had all of the features that we valued. Roomy, enough trunk space with the third row up, easy-in and easy-out with the captains chairs, and better mileage than the very large SUVs. Overall, weve been very happy with the Acadia.

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  My First GMC Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By roadturtle - October 5 - 12:03 pm

  I have owned Toyota, Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford trucks. I chose this GMC truck because I could reach into the bed without having to climb into the truck bed as you have to on Fords. I wanted the full four doors, a small, but powerful V-8 5.3 L. It get equal gas mileage to a Nissan Frontier yet I get a real full size truck for the same price. The seats are very comfortable. I can get into the cab of the truck without stepping onto steps, or hitting my head because the door opening is small as on the Toyotas. It turns sharp, rides nice, handles well, and it came with dual climate zones. My wife loves that. Its the little things that also count such as, fuel filler on drivers side, fog lamps