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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  Its been good for me... - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By dg2273 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this Jimmy over 4 years - bought used at 35K miles now up to 117K. I have had absolutely no problems with it other than normal maintenance. It has been extremely reliable for me, so I was surprised to read other reviews that were so negative. I do agree that the brakes tend to be "mushy" but it was easy to get used to and drives fine.

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  2004 GMC Yukon SLT XL - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Looram - February 12 - 12:26 pm

  Except for the popping of the exhaust system, which the dealer replaced the vehicle has run great. Lousy gas mileage

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  Should have bought an import! - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By luis - February 8 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this truck brand new and have been sorry for it. I had it in the shop like 10 times in the first 1.5 years. I would really have to think hard before buying another GM product, even GM customer reps did very little to help resolve my issues. radio replaced, remotes replaced, one speaker blew out ( now another has blown out ), power steering unit replaced, cross member bar repaired, tie rods replaced, motor mount replaced, body mount replaced, steering shaft serviced, something in steering wheel broke, and rear seat was unstitched when bought!

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  GMCEnvoy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Bosco 39 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Gas tank to small therefore need extra stops at gas stations to refill. Have I known about the gas tank size and miles/gal I probably would have gone to another SUV. I am geting around 18 miles/gal when new I was geting 20 to 21 miles/gal. Have taken it to dealer and he cant solve the problem. Front trim does not have enough fasteners so it makes noise on rough roads.

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  GMC finally got it right - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By William - January 31 - 10:30 am

  This is a remarkable vehicle with almost every feature a luxury vehicle should have. I traded in my Infiniti QX4 so I had high expectations from the beginning. I’m used to a bit more luxury with leather surrounds on the doors and dash but have tried overlooking this in favor of the 7 passenger seating, which is very practical with the grandkids. It’s one of the easiest vehicles to get passengers into the third row seat and I’m guessing that other manufactures will follow suit soon. It’s also the quietest vehicle I’ve driven in years. It’s so quiet that you can’t hear the engine shifting gears unless you mash the accelerator.

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  Not Too Shaby - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By james cris - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used Yukon (certified). Best vehicle I have ever owned. Great engine, but it sucks gas if you dont use it properly by constantly being impressed by the sudden influence of power. The captains chairs in the front are very comfortable. Music radio okay. I was very worred about the 2WD feature since I was trading a 4wd vehicle. The stability control is acceptable on this vehicle and the vehicle is heavy enough to provide enough traction on snow covered roads and heavy side street snow. Very impressive. It doesnt snow that much in Dayton so it will be hardly missed. better gas mpg than the 4wd i am sure.

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  2008 Yukon Hybrid - 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
  By Disappointed - January 27 - 11:10 pm

  If you are considering this vehicle for the gas mileage, forego the Hybrid and purchase a regular Yukon. Based upon the advertising, I thought that it would be worth spending the extra money for the mpg. Its not. Driving under normal conditions (acceleration and braking), I am averaging just 16 mpg, or less. The sticker on the vehicle said EPA Estimate of 20 City/20 Hwy (However, the fine print says "16-24 depending upon driving conditions" (paraphrasing), which give GM a great deal of flexibility, while disappointing the buyer! GMs Hybrid technology is questionable, to say the least. They want you to drive slower than the rest of traffic on start-ups, and brake slower than normal.

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  price is high for this suv,better buy,s out there. - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By mrs r - January 26 - 2:35 pm

  door,s lock.s system stink.s motor,s noise is louder,

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  verdict not in - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By gameface - January 26 - 2:00 am

  dont like the fact that all model dont come standard with rear defogger or power mirrors

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  Good Choice - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Bob S - January 20 - 7:03 pm

  We usually bury our vehicles, so after 14 yrs and 150k miles on our 94 Explorer we decided it was time. Looked at all the SUVs including Acadias two siblings, the Saturn Outlook and the Buick Enclave but picked the GMC. So far we love it! Great inside and out, and the ride is perfect. Two things stand out. We are only getting 19.8 mpg on the highway which is about 10% less than the 22 mpg advertised, whic is the same as my 94 Explorer was getting. Next, I find that on hills especially it hesitates getting into high gear and I have to push down hard on the gas pedal until it slips into high gear, this is very annoying.