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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  Great truck! - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By 65wolf - October 22 - 4:09 am

  Well I have owned this truck for almost 6 months and have had ZERO issues and one recall to check transmission line leaks and none found. My last truck was a 2013 Chevy Silverado and this truck is a far better vehicle! It drives better has a better turning radius and just has a better feel driving it. I have owned numerous other trucks Fords, Dodges (junk) and Toyotas and they do not equal this truck. I see other reviews that do not have good things to say but I really LIKE this truck! I tow a small bass boat and it pulls it great. The gas mileage is better than my 2013 Chevy but I have yet to hit the 22mpg highway. Hope this helps someone looking at this truck!

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  Good power but thats where the good end - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By Milez5858 - October 20 - 9:22 pm

  I bought the Envoy as the most powerful 6 cylendar for towing. I turns out I get better milage with an 8 cylendar truck. The air shocks were constantly pumping up, the fans for the climate control extremely loud, there is no vent setting so it was either blowing hot or cold air, wind noise was excessive, the gas tank is configured such that it always spilled over when filling no matter what gas station I went to. Passing gear was great but taking of from stopped was very slow for a 280 hp engine.

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  Great Vehicle! Glides on the Freeway - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By hockeyatd - October 20 - 2:52 pm

  Ive been looking for an SLT Envoy for about three months, and let me tell you they are hard to find. Only had it for a week but no problems thus far. Smooth drive, feels like it glides on the freeway. Feul Economy has been less than I had hoped, only getting 14 in town, 19 on freeway thus far. Test drove many 4Runners and Trailblazers and always came back to the Envoy.

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  Updated Review - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Geoff Chamberlain - October 20 - 7:41 am

  Just a quick update on our ownership expierience so far.We are happy with our Acadia and the nit picks are very few ( and minor ).I just put on the winter tires , Bridgestone Blizzaks ,fuel milage is getting better with more miles on the vehicle,great on long trips,kids love it,better sound system should be standard for the price,effortless to drive on the highway (120 km/h)very quiet inside.

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  08 SLT Crew Z 71 pack - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By L. Morris - October 19 - 3:06 pm

  Last truck was a 96 Z71 ext cab Chevy. This truck is awesome! I love 99% of it! I chose this, over the somewhat cheaper Silverado, due to the way the dealer treated me and the price they quoted me. No one else could come close to my deal.

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  exellent truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By bill biello - October 18 - 6:40 am

  exellent truck-58,000 miles. driven right i can pull 23-24 mpg.no problems so far

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  Great truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By newowner - October 17 - 10:42 pm

  Got this truck during cash C4C and love it. The cons: Lucky to get 15 miles per gallon in the city. The engine doesnt have a lot of punch starting from zero. Low clearance and not meant for off road if not 4X4. The pros: Great power on the highway. Has real punch once you get over 50. Quiet at high speeds, compared to other trucks. Smooth suspension, great on washboard, bumpy roads. Very comfortable with a lot of room, at least in the front. Great interior I dont agree that it has too much plastic or seems cheap on the inside. Replaced tiny factory tires and it has a great, classic look now. Note:Toyota and Nissan are now copying big, boxy look of GMC trucks.

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  Great Truck! - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By james - October 17 - 11:56 am

  I have only had this truck for a couple of weeks, but it is amazing. The weather here in the Great NW has been very cold. I have never seen a truck with auto-4WD, it engages seamlessly, you dont even realize it has. Between that and the stabilitrac, this truck handles under snowy and icey conditions like no other truck I have driven. GMC took advantage of every inch of the interior to make a wonderfully roomy feel. The handling is tight and the manuverability is outstanding. Another great thing is you can turn off the stabilitrac and/or the auto 4WD and do some brodies! Also, going from 8 cylinders to 4 and vice versa, you dont even notice. My first tank of gas I am averaging 15.9 mpg!

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  OK so Far - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mgandrew - October 17 - 12:43 am

  Bought used 117,000. Used a little oil and coolant would need irregular replenishing, odd. Every now and then a sticky lifter, then when I added Lucas to the oil all H--l broke loose, literally. Next oil change there was so much sludge in the sump the oil would not drained. Long story short, the sludge clogged the oil pump suction and w/o oil pressure things were not going to get any better. Found a used motor (100,000) miles, swapped out. Better engine, more power, no oil consumption, coolant OK. Ill probably drive this truck for another couple of years. I like it. I think the sludge was related to the coolant loss. As it was infiltrating the crank case and slowly evaporating out?

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  Step Up - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By smacko - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my second- the first being a 1999. This is a definite step up in ride, comfort, power and creature- features. I remain a loyal fan.