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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  I will cry the day I sell it - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By a misplaced Texan - April 5 - 5:26 am

  5.3L V8 is a damn powerful engine! More so with a few aftermarket goodies. We absolutely love this truck, chose it for being much sexier than Chevy counterpart. I am a street truck enthusiast, and appreciate that the aftermarket is chock full of parts/accessories for my truck/engine. I only marked down on comfort b/c you can find a roomier back seat in a smaller truck (Dodge Dakota Quad Cab). We have two kids in car seats and I am a six-footer, so the back is getting pretty cramped. Also I thought the SLE should have fancier "upgraded" materials in the interior. Fuel economy is not great, but better than youd expect from an engine that size - a little maintenance goes a long way in this truck.

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  Not Professional Grade - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Shelly From Sheridan - April 4 - 12:36 pm

  The ride is exceptionally comfortable on short and long trips. Fits family of 5 great but wish middle seat had head rest. 6 speed auto works great around town and mountains. Have had no trouble passing on Interstate or in town. On down side, fuel economy is no where near EPA estimates for city or hwy: 13/19 for our vehicle. Been recalled for poor windshield wiper design in snow (Wyoming gets snow people!!!) and has had power steering leak fixed at 4000 miles. We now have clicking noise when taking turns in steering column that will need to be corrected. Overall, disappointed with reliability and not up to GMC advertised as being professional grade. Priced too high for value provided.

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  3 inches of water - leak recall - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Lemon-Owner - April 3 - 10:37 am

  I was so excited when we bought this vehicle, but it has turned into a love-hate relationship. I LOVE driving it, but the sunroof leaks and resulted in 3 inches of water under the insulation. After 5 months of back and forth into the shop without any luck in fixing it, the electric system has finally started to fail due to the water. GM has finally decided to negotiate a replacement. We are now considering the Honda Pilot. If we did get this car again, NO SUNROOF. Nothing but problems.

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  GMC 2500 - 2000 GMC Sierra Classic 2500
  By Aurelio Munoz Jr. - April 1 - 4:13 pm

  I like every thing about this truck except that the gas guage has never worked properly.The transmision temperture guage also does not work. I took it in to the dealership for repairs and they told me they had to replace the instrument cluster and they did not guarantee that it would solve the problem. A co-worker had the same problem with his. I expect better reliability then this from a 2000 year model.

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  would be great without issues - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By k.t. - March 31 - 3:32 pm

  We loved our Acadia til the windshield leaked. When they fixed that, the back Windows leaked. Then the windshield would leak and then the back Windows would leak again. The ignition wouldnt work at times so you had to use the remote start to start the car and then the ignition would work. After numerous trips to our dealership, gmc did a buy back. Its a Nice car but they need to work out all the kinks in it.

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  I Hate this vechile - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By justin d leblanc - March 31 - 10:00 am

  i bought this truck in june of 2003. i am very disappointed in the performance of this truck, the service from this dealership, and the warranty work performed. to tell you a little about this truck at 2000 miles the ac went out, at 4500 the heater went out, at 16000 miles the distributor cap went out causing me to have it towed. other things that have gone wrong from the shocks going out, the steering vibrates as you drive, the transmission kicks hard when put in gear. i strongly advise no one to buy this truck.

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  Another fantastic American Automobile - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By ZL - March 30 - 10:04 pm

  The Acadia will put American car critics to shame. Exterior/interior styling is fantastic. It feels like an SUV but rides like a car which is perfect. Spacious and comfy. Great quality. Lots of technology.

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  Rear DVD Leaks from rain - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By M. Walden - March 30 - 8:23 pm

  I had this vehicle for 2yrs and I had been several times back to the dealer for many recalls they broke my wind shield now my roof is leaking in the front and the rear where my DVD ent. sys. alot of water I immediately took it to the GM service they witness said they will fix it. I spent good money on this I shouldnt have been to the GM service so many times

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  GMC SLS Jimmy 4x4 - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By Edwin Vazquez Jr - March 30 - 3:09 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in NJ and used it for 4 yrs and then moved to Puerto Rico and this vehicle started to give me problems here. The seat level recliner snapped off on both side thats sad but true. The other items i changed on it is the battery, alternator, AC compressor and evaporator, fan belts, brake pads first time after 3 yrs. The ABS light on and Air Bag light drives me crazy but besides that I cant complain the truck has been very good and will continue to purchase GMC trucks. Edwin

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  Envoy great vehicle - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Milton wynne - March 28 - 6:50 pm

  Had to replace ignition switch twice and fan clutch twice and water pump once but loved to drive it