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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  Urban Suburban - 1993 GMC Suburban
  By ll834 - December 24 - 11:47 pm

  My 1993 GMC Suburban is very reliable ,very comfortable, and has enough room for eight passengers. It is great for family trips and has good fuel mileage for this size of vehicle. We have over 200,000 on ours miles and it is still going strong!

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  Solid Truck - 1991 GMC Suburban
  By Fish - December 18 - 9:07 am

  I bought my 1991 GMC Suburban in 1992 with 115,000 miles on it and have since put on another 70,000 miles. This was the last year of this body style. The engine is the best feature. It has more towing power then I could ever need and the engine has been running flawlessly since I purchased the truck. It has tons of room on the inside with seating for nine passengers. I love this truck and I get a lot of looks and complements from other SUV owners. The only drawback for me is the tailgate. I wish I my truck had the "barn doors". The hinge on one side of my tailgate has rusted out. It is difficult to open and close. The tailgate option makes loading the rear compartment awkward and difficult.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By John Z - December 15 - 6:40 pm

  Absolutely, without a doubt the best truck I will ever own! 168,000 highway miles. Just replaced the original brakes at 167,000. Regular maintenance, oil changes, fluids, etc every 3 to 5K. No bells and whistles, this is a work truck, a darned good one! I get about 19-20 mpg on highway, Ill take it and not look back. Forget interior/exterior design...who cares? I wanted dependability. I got it. A great truck!

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  Great Truck! - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By bdevine - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Overall this is a great truck. Even with the heavy duty suspension the ride is very comfortable. Excellent power train so it makes a great truck for hauling. I also like the four doors when I need to haul the whole family but the back doors are a pain to get the kids out of in tight spots. Ive had the truck two years and have had no problems with it.

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  Average - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By APPELSCF - December 12 - 12:03 am

  This is my second GMC. I recently traded up from a 2006. Good ride and handling, Like the appearance, gets the same mileage as my 06, averages 18 mpg. I have cloth interior, I liked the old cloth material better. Radio controls are hard to reach. I like the new dual zone controls. The backup sensor is a joke, some of the gauges are blocked by the steering wheel, I really like the new head lights the low beams stay on with the high Beam. Fog lights are cheap. the interior quality is better than my 06

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  Overall Great Vehicle - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Cory - December 11 - 2:10 pm

  I changed from a 95 Blazer to the Envoy, it was like going from night to day. I was intially dissapointed with the fuel economy, but after a 1,000 miles the engine seemed to break in and I went from 14 mpg to 17 mpg of city/Hwy driving. I have been very pleased with the vehicle.

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  CONFIDENT HANDLING OF VEHICLE - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By TONY FARGNOLI - December 11 - 12:34 pm

  MY ENVOY IS A JOY TO DRIVE,AND I FEEL AND VERY CONFIDENT WHEN IM DRIVING AND FEEL SAFE OPERATING IT. ITS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS.

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  A very good midsize SUV - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By GMACK - December 11 - 12:36 am

  I have been very satisfied with it. Great comfort, easy to drive, Pros tight turning radius ,excellent power even when towing. I have found it reliabe but it has had some problems, Wiper relay replaced first 1,000 miles, and some front end problems. But GM has provided superior service on any problems. Would I buy another, absolutly,

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  Impressed - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By lawman1967 - December 4 - 9:42 pm

  Traded Mercedes C300 and a Ram 1500 Hemi, and traded both on the Sierra. Mine is an SLE Doublecab with the All-Terrain package and 5.3 V8. Ive only had it for 1000 miles so cant really comment on reliability, but truck is very solid going down the road, whisper quiet, smooth, luxurious and just a joy to drive. Its actually more comfortable than the 2011 Mercedes was. The 8" touchscreen stereo with Bose speakers (not listed on sticker or GMC site for SLE, but came with my All-Terrain) sounds great, but the bluetooth and USB connections to my iPhone 5s are a bit flakey. No NAV in my truck, but OnStar works well. Drove 400 miles yesterday, heated bucket seats very comfortable.

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  TimsTruck - 1991 GMC Sonoma
  By For Sale - December 4 - 3:53 pm

  Bought this truck a couple months ago when my 91 Voyagers tranny went out. Was going to fix it up as necessary so it would be reliable...didnt need to fix much. This is a very reliable piece of machinery. Never have I been able to get 33 mpg out of anything except a car! Very reliable, very nice truck!