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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  THIS IS THE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By forsyth2build@aol.co - September 15 - 2:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS BEYOND EXPLANATION - FULLY LOADED - WITH ALL THE OPTIONS 0% FOR 5 YEARS. I DONT WANT TO TALK ON THE PHONE ANYMORE WHEN IM DRIVING. I JUST LOVE THIS TRUCK. I REALLY LOVE THIS TRUCK - AND IM IN IT 8 HOURS A DAY. SHOW ME A WOMEN THAT DOES THAT FOR AND ILL GET MARRIED. AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2001 Yukon XL in NJ - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By Bajan1 - September 13 - 6:40 pm

  I love this truck. It has a vey nice ride in the city and on the highway. The performace and reliablity is outstanding. This truck will be in my family for a long time.

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  Good old American know how - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By averageamericanguy - September 12 - 10:43 am

  I purchased my GMC new off the lot. So far Ive only logged just over 21,000 miles on it. The only problems have been minor; eg: a mild knocking, a broken seat spring, and somewhat twitchy speedo (possibly due to the subwoofers). Overall the truck has proved to be utterly reliable from a mechanilcal aspect and other the the fuel economy of a big truck, the throaty 5.3L is always fun to floor.

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  Dont buy a Jimmy - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Jimmy - September 11 - 10:39 pm

  So far Ive replaced the alternator , water pump,starter,4-wheel drive actuator,radiator,fuel pump,fuel filter,drivers side window motor,heater core is now out.I once had the cruise control stick while I was exiting the interstate . It was almost devastating.If you like working on cars or paying a mechanic then this is the vehicle for you.My wife had to have this vehicle and I gave in.Now were both paying for it . Just to let you know the fuel filter costs $9.00 the tool to take it off with costs $15.00 .Buy anything other than G.M. .OR for that matter American made.Toyota , Nissan, Hyundai , Honda all build vehicles that are rated at the 200,000 mile mark. The American made 100,000 miles

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  Lovin IT!! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Ivyrose - September 10 - 10:52 am

  I purchased a used Envoy in 07, no major problems at 96K, keep the oil change and enjoy the ride!

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  Texas Acadia - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Mikey - September 10 - 8:41 am

  We received car on Friday went to Colorado on Sat. 25 mpg. Great handling in mountains, great on highways.Very hard not to speed in this vehicle. Roomy interior a good vacation vehicle. We would highly recommend it.

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  Drives good BUT....... - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By linda - September 10 - 7:56 am

  Bought this Jimmy @ 31k miles, put an extended warranty @ 36k, THANK GOODNESS!! Have replaced the windshield wiper circuit board twice but NO RECALL haha way to go GMC wrote and complained to GMC with no good response kept the maintance up and I do have 200k miles on it now, but have replaced the air conditioner compressor TWICE, had my heater coil plug stopped up , had to have it UNSTOPPED TWICE then had to just replace the enitre heater, front hubs replaced, front drivers side door hinges replaced, hood latch HAVE TO OPEN WITH A WRENCH, now extended warranty is over, have got alot of mileage and will continue to drive it NO CAR PAYMENT but if i had to do it again i WOULD NOT BUY THIS

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  Beware of Estimated MPGs - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By BRBall - September 9 - 7:58 pm

  All around I love my new Acadia. But beware of the sticker estimated MPGs. The sticker says 17cty/24hwy, my actual so far has been 13cty/17hwy. If I had known this before my decision may have changed on buying an Acadia. All but the poor MPGs I love my new Acadia.

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  Very reliable, perfect for our needs - 2009 GMC Yukon
  By Gundo - September 9 - 9:16 am

  Weve got the Yukon Denali and it has been incredibly reliable with decent gas mileage considering its size. To date, Ive put 47,000 miles on the rig, and other than a recent brake job have done nothing but change the oil. Those that complain about GM and these trucks havent owned one. I have been pleasantly surprised by the lack of repairs required. Biggest complaint would be lack of reclining seats in second row (weve got the bench) and slow to respond reverse camera - seems to take forever sometimes. Cheers

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  Love It - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Zach - September 7 - 11:32 pm

  This truck can do a quarter of a miles in 13.267(average) I love it it burns out fast and the the I5 has 246 hp and its perfect i would love to get the 5.3 v8 but i got it for a great price.