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:

• 

  Great Truck - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gabbro - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck. No problems or issues during the first month. Gas mileage on highway averages 18-19 mpg at 60-65. Interior and XM radio are awesome. Ford looks interior looks weak in comparison.

• 

  Hope I did the right thing - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By mdg - May 28 - 11:54 pm

  I have been a Honda kinda guy. Taking a chance with GMC, love the vehicle at this point, with the exception of the MPG (overstated). As long as the reli bility is there down the road I will be fine, Anyone out there that can speak of the relibility on owning a 2007?

• 

  Garbage - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Otto - May 28 - 3:18 pm

  This is my sixth Suburban and by far the worst. I custom ordered this rolling trash bin and it was built during a strike. Continual electrical and braking problems since day one. Delivered with a broken windshield! Air-conditioning reliably fails. Paint clearcoat is falling off vehicle in chunks. Seats were designed by future interrogators at Guantanamo. Rear-window fluid dispenser immediately plugged and hasnt worked since. Rattles and squeaks like its from 1949, frame is weak and twists easily. A dangerous vehicle for the inexperienced.

• 

  356,000 kms and still going - 1994 GMC Yukon
  By canucksfan86 - May 28 - 3:00 pm

  I just took my truck down to California and back from Vancouver, BC. No worries on the trip, as this is by far the most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned. Still on the original engine and original transmission, body is in excellent shape (with the exception of a little bit of rust on the tail gate). I would never get rid of it! It even pulls my 29 Sea Ray (10,000 lbs) from my house to the marina and back (a total of 10 kms) with no problem. Its done the trek for 9 years now, and has never had a problem.

• 

  Dumped it after 6 months - 2016 GMC Yukon XL
  By rob kowalski - May 27 - 10:30 am

  Bought this SUV brand new. Loved the ride height, power, and engine sound. We have 4 small kids. The only way to change the rear zone temp is from the rear. My kids were in car seats, and too young to manage the controls anyway. Bad design. Heat was either on or off, couldnt adjust temp. After five weeks the rear view camera stopped working every third time we put it in reverse. GMC replaced center console 3 times and it never fixed. I told them it must be a wiring issue but they said that is too hard and expensive to try to fix. It was a brand new truck! They told me they were going to charge me $3200. The truck was a few months old at that point, and I had bought it brand new from that dealer with 10 miles on it. After 5 months a plasticky smell started coming from heat. Dealer could not find anything wrong and said it must have been our fault and they were done. Lost a good bit of money but traded it in for another Sienna minivan. So much happier again.

• 

  LOVE My ACADIA - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By LOVE My ACADIA - May 26 - 3:23 pm

  I am a Mom with two young children. We love our new car. GMC did a great job with this vehicle. I love to just get out and drive. We have 3 other vehicles but I find myself wanting to drive my "Black Beauty" all of the time.

• 

  Check Engine light - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Wyoming Acadia owner - May 26 - 1:47 pm

  We love our Acadia, beautiful design but unhappy with the Check Engine Light being on about 80% of the time since we have owned it: 5 months. Each time its on I take it in, and all 3 times they say its the emissions and each time I get one new part: canister with hoses, next time it was the purge valve, last time was the fuel tank sensor --and after the car was on the lift and the tank off -oops, wrong part, so I got a rental car at their expense. 2 days later, check engine light on again. I have asked for a new gas cap -as it also says tighten gas cap" (we do) and I guess it all depends on GM and what they say. If it comes on again after whatever they do this time, I want another car!!

• 

  Great little truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Bill R - May 25 - 7:35 pm

  I bought this truck used with only 20,00 on it. It was taken care of and the truck is a great little truck. With the 3.5 and auto trans I get a consistent 26 mpg. I have no complaints as it is a tight, well built truck. For a compact/mid size truck, its great! It is also American built! I looked at other brands, and the GMC is as good as any other truck.

• 

  Worth it! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By JGaspard - May 23 - 11:26 pm

  We traded in a 2006 BMW 530i for our 2007 Yukon XL Denali (we have infant twins). My only complaints are some of the "luxury" aspects of the vehicle. Some of the interior design is 2nd rate for the price (dash board, area between seats, display, etc.). It rides great at all speeds. My wife was extremely nervous because of the size, but now has no fears. If you have a big family, this is your car. Plenty of space, plenty of power, plenty of quality. For all that complain about gas mileage-what do you expect? The vehicle weighs 7,000 lbs. It is the safest for my family. It carries my family with gear--sorry mini-vans, but I can pass cars with no problem at any highway with a loaded car.

• 

  Rear window design faulty - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By cc cattle co - May 23 - 3:13 pm

  I have a 2007 Yukon SLE that I really like, EXCEPT...I drive on some dirt roads and it is impossible to keep the dirt from packing onto the back window. Driving in snow also results in snow PACKING on the rear window. If you dont start the rear wiper early on, you cant keep the snow off the window. I feel it is a dangerous design and I am trading off my Yukon, despite how much I like the darn thing, for a vehicle with a different spoiler (for lack of a better word) above the rear window. That is what causes the problem. I had a 2003 Tahoe that didnt have this spoiler and the dirt and snow on the window was minimal. Talk to a car wash place, theyll tell you exactly what I am talking about