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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  Central lock defect - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By zeina - April 29 - 1:16 pm

  My new Acadia just became faulty. A month after I purchased it, the central lock broke down. After being sent to repair 3 times, the dealer still couldnt manage to figure out what was wrong. It would be great to open my acadia without using the key, driver door. It will also be great to get my kids in without having them wait outside in order for me to get in and open the windows to be able to unlock the doors manually.

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  The No. 1 SUV: GMC Yukon XL !!!!! - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By BJs - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Air Bag Lite stays on/off. Front shock too weak or needs different kind. Replaced 2 times as tire wear caused by bad shocks. Shifts to tow/haul by itself, have to stop and turn off engine and restart then it goes off.

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  Awesome truck but. - 2008 GMC Yukon XL
  By NY Jim - April 29 - 12:26 am

  This is a great truck. Has everything under the sun in it. Love the look, handling, comfort, the deal I got etc. Problem is as I write this review, it is sitting in my garage and will not start. It has only 1,000 miles on it and is 2.5 months old. This is really pathetic. First time buying an American made car. I have 2 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVS and never had any problems with them. I figured when I bought the truck, let me buy American. I always like GMC line. Now, I think I am regretting it.

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  A great vehicle! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By RobandSue - April 28 - 6:29 am

  We have had our new Acadia for about a month and although that is not a very long time we are really, really pleased with our purchase! It is fun to drive, has good pick-up, sits solidly on the road, very comfortable inside, has a great sound system, and the robust features of the navigation system are all we could want. Add in the Onstar capability and we feel covered in all respects. We bought the heavy black floor mats for rainy weather and find that very useful in the rear when we need to transport "messy" things. We feel good driving it -- it has a classy appearance, too. Couldnt be happier!

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  James the Jimmy - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Anselm - April 27 - 11:48 am

  Ok Ive had a Jimmy for a few months now and i cant say that I havent had my share of problems (Engine Job, Front Ball joints, Intake Gasket, Gas Gauge doesnt work, and a couple missing parts that fell off) since I got it. But this truck has has been quite reliable, it has been through the runs and hell and back in the months that Ive owned it, its been through mudding, High speed driving, and casual driving. I like how it sits higher than most SUVs since it easier to go through deep mud and water and with some larger tires on it theres not many places that my Jimmy cant go.

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  Great truck but fuel milage stinks. - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By IsaiahCasey - April 26 - 11:16 am

  I bought this truck used last year love the design the ride and comfort. the gas mileage stinks but I wouldnt trade it for anything else. About a month after I bought the truck I had an electrical problem but it worked itself out. I just bought a meyers diamond snowplow and I am going to put it on this week. The truck has plenty of power to push snow. I work on a farm and I have a 4 ton trailer, and I can haul a 3 ton skidsteer on the trailer and she still has plenty of power.

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  2007 Denali XL - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Jay - April 26 - 5:20 am

  Incredibly smooth ride for a vehicle of this size in and around city. Handles with great ease, acceleration is smooth and corners very well. Inside of vehicle is done tatefully with easy access to navigation and audio controls. Captains seats in second row are very comfortable and leave an access to third row for kids from middle without having to remove the second rows every time you have to get off. It also makes the inside feel very open and roomy.

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  Great truck - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Bob from Connecticut - April 26 - 2:50 am

  Although I just bought this truck a few weeks ago, I had researched it for quite a while. So far it has lived up to my expectations and more. I was considering a 2006 leftover until I test drove the new style. The ride is quiet and smooth, soaking up bumps like they werent there. The cab is beautifully laid out and features all kinds of comfort features. The sound system is great with the Bose Speakers and XM radio. Im a construction manager ,so the truck is also my office. I keep my files in the rear seating area which is easily accessable. I love how this trucks looks too . It has just the right combination of ruggedness and good looks.

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  Buyer beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Tom in Texas - April 25 - 4:10 pm

  Should have known better than to buy a new American vehicle in its 1st year of production, but I was absolutely smitten by the design. Had issues with excessive road noise on the highway, but that was finally resolved after almost a year with new tires (the original Fortera tires were defective). Car handles nice and tight on the hwy with decent acceleration and comfort. However, mileage has never been as good as advertised. Worse thing is intermittent roof leaks that have required 4 or 5 trips to the dealership! Thank goodness I bought the GM Protection Plan extended warranty. Wonder if it will do me any good once GM goes bankrupt? I will think three times before buying a GM product again.

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  Time to unload it - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By redman - April 25 - 11:54 am

  Bought it in 01 with 19000 miles and overall has been a good, dependable ride. Gas mileage is a surprising 23 MPG hwy. Fuel gauge failed, brakes every 20000 miles, and currently having electrical problems(windows, door locks and mirrors quit occassionally). My daughter hit a deer last night so may take insurance settlement and unload it. Will buy another GMC however.