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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  Good value for the price - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By jctomgal - July 6 - 7:54 pm

  Rides nice, and all the options are integrated into the vehicle very nicely. The dash features are easy to use. The vehicle handles well, has a smooth ride, little engine noise, and has great power on highway.

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  Nice Small Truck - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Robert Marks - July 2 - 2:52 pm

  This truck never failed to start. Gas mileage was not the greatest but there is lots of room especially with the back seats laid flat.

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  Envoy is a good buy - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Patrick Hernandez - June 29 - 5:40 pm

  This is my second Envoy that I have purchased, and it stills makes me happy to drive it. It is a comfortable SUV, that has more than enough space for my wife and three smaller children. It is the first vehicle that I have absolutely love.

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  Style, Beauty, Comfort, and Power - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Metallicred Mama - June 27 - 7:32 pm

  The Envoy Denali is an SUV with luxury car performance and style. The car has spacious back rows for taller people, and has well designed folding seats. The rear controls for the air and radio are also a great feature. The Envoy denali is also very powerful. The motor has the power of a sports car for good handling. This is the car for a sports car lover with a family who cares about comfort, safety, and fun.

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  Loaded SUV - 1998 GMC Envoy
  By marl8y - June 26 - 7:13 pm

  A great SUV for family trips. Night time visibility is superb with the high intesity headlamps. I love the interior and Bose sound system! It plows through the snow in 4 wheel drive with no problems. Gas mileage is around 15 in the city and 20-22 on the highway. No mechanical problems so far with 78,000 on the odometer.

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  Good SUV - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By bking - June 20 - 9:53 am

  I put 33k on this vehicle a year and have not had a problem. I have only had to put tires on it and a couple of smaller items. It rides as smooth as it did when it came off the showroom floor. It has been an excellent vehicle.

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  Great work truck with style/comfort - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By jcb77 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought new, drive 20K+ yearly. I have filled both the inside and top with lumber and other heavy items and it didnt miss a beat. No major problems after driven 83,000 miles. Will buy another one when I have to, without hesitation, and recommend it to anyone.

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  Gas Hog and GM Quality is sub-par - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By RickG - June 17 - 9:58 pm

  Nice looking with a powerful engine that tows my bass boat with ease. Unfortunately, GM cut corners on the upscale extras in the Denali and it is obvious. The nav system is primitive and 1st generation. It uses a DVD which means you cannot play CDs while navigating. The nav DVD only finds 50% of the destinations so good luck. I reverted to the after-market Garmin nav system I used in my 2003 Envoy. The sound system is poor quality, the rear view mirror does not have the auto dim feature found in earlier Envoys and there isnt even a coat hook in the rear seat. GM saved nickels and dimes and raised the price by thousands. The older Envoys were a better buy, more comfortable and not gas hogs!

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  Great truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By terry - June 17 - 9:46 am

  I purchased this truck in April 2010. My first gmc. I love it. It has the duramax & Allison combo. Very powerful. It pulls beyond what I expected. I got this truck used with 81 thousand miles. Everyone tells me its just getting broke in. So far I like everything about this truck.

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  My 1999 Yukon SLT 4WD - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By Gene Valentine - June 16 - 4:47 pm

  Overall, I am satisfied with the vehicle and expect several more years. I do have issues with the following: - Brakes: front set is too small, rears dont automatically adjust, a common problem with this model. The bulbs behind the radio/CD buttons died. The dealer said the entire unit had to be replaced .The CD player is very poor quality, was repaired twice, and I will replace it with a better unit The intake manifold cracks, another too common problem for 99, it should have been subject of a recall. The center console should have come with a lock.