Among the wide range of American automakers, two names stick out as top manufacturers of trucks and SUVs: GMC and Chevrolet. Both companies were established in 1911. General Motors Company, or GMC, was originally founded as General Motors Truck Company.
The reason for the name change has to do with changes to its lineup; while the brand originally produced a variety of medium and heavy-duty commercial trucks, it later pivoted to mainly offering more common, consumer-oriented light-duty trucks that are upmarket versions of Chevy models. Today, GMC still produces commercial-oriented vehicles.
Chevy became a part of General Motors in 1918, just seven years after its founding. Both brands are under General Motors’ massive umbrella, and both produce cars that look a lot alike. So, what exactly is the difference between GMC and Chevrolet?
The best way to compare the two is to look at each brand’s respective truck lines. While Chevy produces cars, small crossovers, and smaller EVs, no GMC product falls below the midsize SUV threshold.
The reason why GMC and Chevy vehicles look a lot alike is because they are a lot alike. In fact, they share the same chassis, engines, and more. The main difference, though, is the level of luxury; GMC is more upmarket, or luxurious, than its Chevy sibling. Each brand also has its own unique styling to differentiate from one another.
Looking at a quick rundown of GMC’s model lineup, a few stick out as its most successful.
This is the brand’s light-duty pickup truck and its best seller. The Sierra is available in short- or long-bed, two-seater or four-seater (also referred to as a crew cab), and has numerous trim levels, including Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. Typically, the higher the trim, the more luxurious it becomes, though the AT4 and AT4X are considered its more off-road-ready trims. Available engines include: a 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engine; a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-six, 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8; as well as a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
This is the brand’s full-size SUV that comes in SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims. Its engines range from a 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engine, or the 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-six. It’s based on the same chassis as the Sierra.
This is GM’s first full-size EV that comes in either a pickup truck or SUV body style. The Hummer EV is a luxurious SUV too, with quality materials, intuitive infotainment, and a comfortable ride quality. Above all, it’s incredibly powerful at off-road driving.
This is essentially the same truck underneath as the GMC Sierra, except the trim lineup is a bit different. There are more trims available too: Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, ZR2, LTZ, and High Country. The High Country is the brand’s most luxurious model, whereas each Trail Boss trim is geared towards off-road driving. The body styles are the same as the Sierra, and the available engines are also similar: a 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8 engine; a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-six, 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8; as well as a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
Opposite the Yukon is the Tahoe, Chevy’s smaller full-size SUV that sits one notch below the Suburban. Its trim range includes the LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country, with a good variety of options among them all. One particularly good on-road trim is the RST, which, when fitted with the optional sportier suspension, a better-flowing intake, and slightly louder exhaust system, makes for a fun driving experience.
Meant to do battle with the Ford’s F-150 Lightning and the Rivian R1T, the Silverado EV is the bowtie brand’s first entry in the full-EV market. It has fewer trims available than the ICE (internal combustion engine) variant—Work Truck (WT), LT, and RST—and is available as Extended and Max Range models. All models are four-wheel drive–a dual-motor setup.
Besides some style changes in body work, plus some improvements in overall luxury on GMC’s end, GMC and Chevrolet are very much alike. They share a lot of the same underpinnings, including the chassis, engines, technology, and even battery chemistry when it comes to the Silverado EV and Hummer EV. And yet, they’re both immensely successful brands with dedicated customers, and have been that way since nearly the beginning of the 20th Century.
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