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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  car quality - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By bravo - May 22 - 2:00 am

  this suv has to be the best onthe road for a all around vechicle

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  WOW - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Tomthecoolness - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a stellar car and the looks are great and the interior is amazing

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  Great Ride! - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By FormerBeemerOwner - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my BMW for this SUV, my first! Wow, was I impressed! This SUV rides like a luxury car. I feel very safe and secure and enjoy all of the wonderful amenities. I will never go back to BMW...Im a Denali girl all the way now!

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  wow - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By boatdryver - May 22 - 2:00 am

  48K miles, never back to the dealer for defects, and still on original tires. A joy to drive with the 6.0 Litre engine. How much better can a vehicle be?

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  Hot Rig..! - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By bearman - May 22 - 2:00 am

  More truck than I expected, plenty of power. Very roomy, solidly built with great ride.

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  Yukon XL only bested by Denali! - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By S Martineau - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Best in class features and strength for the dollar. If I could find and afford one at the time, I would have bought the same in a Denai upgrade. All four brake assemblies were entirely replaced due to odd wear and rusting. GMC made it right and without delays. Some early rust on undercarriage is being monitored. Could have been shipped or stored in a bad moisture situation, plus it was a dealer demo - who knows what the previous "owner" was up to? Id buy another in a minute!

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  2006 GMC Crew Cab 2WD - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By JScott - May 15 - 9:09 pm

  My main reason for choosing the GMC Canyon crew cab pickup was fuel economy. I could only find GMC and Ford Ranger offering 4 cylinder engines and only GMC was available with the crew cab and a 5-speed standard transmission. I am very pleased with its fuel economy because it has exceeded the EPA estimates. I have averaged about 23.6 mpg for city and highway lumped together. For highway driving, the mpg has ranged up to 29.3 mpg for one long trip with no load. The Ford Ranger is EPA rated slightly higher than EPA rates the Canyon 4 cylinder, but the Ford Ranger 4 cyl is slightly less horsepower. I dont need much power most of the time, so I have been happy with the Canyon all the time.

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  The Acadia Dream - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Mike Louy - May 12 - 7:36 pm

  Lots of leg room with the seating.Nice ride,beautiful car.

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  Easy Choice - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By Easy Choice - May 11 - 3:35 pm

  Purchased new the day after big snowstorm.The 4WD is awesome and unobtrusive - really gets the job done. Also took from Ohio to Florida and back, great road vehicle. Fuel economy didnt suffer despite speeds of, well, lets just say well north of 70 MPH during the entire trip. Tire pressure monitor system saved our bacon when we picked up a screw in a tire in GA. The alert allowed me to change the tire before it went down and destroyed itself. Really nice vehicle. This thing has awesome legroom. Im 6" and can totally stretch out.

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  Awsome ride! - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Dee - May 10 - 2:40 pm

  I bought my Envoy new and I absolutely love it! I have had minor problems. Driver window sticks 2/3 of the way down and will not roll up or down. It has been in the shop 19 times and everything has been replaced but the wiring and the window. The 4wd light is starting to flash for no reason so it is going back to the shop. Other then this, I love the Envoy. The Envoy with the 3rd row seat has a much better ride the the ones without! It glides down the road just as well as a Cadillac. My husband refused to drive it because he is afraid he will fall asleep behind the wheel because it is so smooth.