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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  Please dont buy this vehicle. - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Jonny5 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  My Denali has malfunctioned from the day I bought it and GMC cant seem to fix the problem. The Stabilitrak works haphazardly and sometimes turns itself off completely. GMC was apparently aware of the problem when I purchased the vehicle, but I was not informed until after I took it in for service. Furthermore, GMC cannot or will not give me an ETA on when they will have a fix for it. Please dont be a sucker like me and purchase a "luxury" vehicle from a manufacturer whose expertise is fleet sales. If you really want one of these vehicles after reading this review, I will gladly sell you mine at a deep discount.

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  Beast of Burden - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Bryant - August 1 - 11:18 pm

  I purchased this 99 GMC K2500 7.4 Suburban new and the only positive comment I can make is that it still runs strong at 125,000 miles. The following problems all started shortly after the 3 year warranty, leather seats started peeling, wipers almost never work or stop in the same place, radio buttons pop off, doors out of alignment and lots of wind noise, replaced fuel pump so many times I cut a port hole above the fuel tank, eats brakes and rotors (drilled rotors last longer), replaced a/c compressor and hoses, center console squeaks, replaced radiator twice, replaced inner and outer door handles at least 2-3 times, window motors twice and cannot keep power steering hoses from blowing out.

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  Many many repair issues - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By neecee - July 21 - 3:15 pm

  We have had numerous repair issues with the ignition, sunroof leaking, windshield wiper motors replaced several times, lumbar supports, power locks, power steering gear box and today electronics with brake light beeping and park assist malfunction and cruise out. Buyer beware not a long term reliable vehicle from our experience

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  DO NOT BUY--RUN TO FOREIGN - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lemonowner08 - June 23 - 8:14 pm

  This has been the most disappointing brand new vehicle in all my 52 years of ownership. The sunroof has been "fixed" 3 times and still leaks. A natural gas odor comes through the ventilation system. The driveline is noisy and when you make a tight turn is sounds like the wheels are falling off. The engine is sluggish and hesitates. Poor fuel economy and all over poor engineering. The worst part is poor customer service from the selling dealership. They wont do a thing. Just dont buy the Acadia. It might look nice, but it has a long way to go before it can become a low maintenance vehicle. Prepare to have it in the shop often. Just dont buy it.

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  Clanker - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Amadeus - June 12 - 9:08 pm

  It looks nice but the fuel economy is bad and the constants check ups makes it no realiable. The heater core failed and I had engine coolant steam inside the cabin and to fork out $$$ to repear. I wish I had not bought it.

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  Total Junk - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Run Away - June 12 - 5:13 pm

  This car has been nothing but one problem after another. Bought it for my wife to haul the kids around in but it seems like im working on it more than it runs. We have replaced rear end, month later the transmission went out, next the fuel pump quit, then the lock quit working, and now the thing wont start half of the time. Had it checked today and its the spider coil. It has been nothing but a money pit.

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  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.

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  Only buy it if you like ongoing repairs - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Rick - May 17 - 11:36 am

  One problem after another with this vehicle. Rear air shock ($800), cat converters ($1500), rear axle seal (? $). This is the second GM SUV we have owned and the previous one had issues as well. Never again! We were simply sick of wondering what the next repair bill would be for this truck. We recently dumped this vehicle for a 2006 Honda Pilot. It our Pilot lives up to the normal reliability Honda provides, our piece of mind is worth the loss we took when trading in the Yukon.

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  Cracked Cylinder Heads - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By formergmcguy - May 7 - 10:58 am

  At about 53,900 miles, my 2004 5.3L developed a ticking noise. Turned out to be cracked cylinder heads. $3800 repair bill. I had it repaired and traded it for a brand new Tundra with 5.7L engine. No regrets.

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  Disatisfied buyer - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By gtp - May 3 - 9:40 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. From simple door locks to noisy windows to steering columns, transition 5 times, hatch shocks, ignitions, electrical, engine (multiple times)....It has left me stranded many times. On windy days it will switch lanes with out you even realizing it. I was disappointed in the power of the 4.2L V6. It works way to hard. Get the V8 (Gas mileage will even out). It does however handle well in the snow. I couldnt even sell this to sum one I would feel guilty knowing its a piece.