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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  Better vs Pilot or Highlander - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By JONATAN - November 24 - 1:46 am

  I had Pilot and Highlander, but when I bought Acadia I sold Highlander. Acadia is the best among them ride comfort, precise at speed driving, tech data like wheel base or 6spd auto or standard luxury like heated mirrors and wash liquid, auto hiding mirrors etc.

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  It Does What They Say It Will Do - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By aspd3815900 - November 23 - 8:06 am

  You will not be disappointed with this vehicle if you bought it to tow or carry people or both. Dont skimp on the engine choice. This big boy is worth the extra cash! Just plain fun to drive if you like performance. Pulling a boat loaded with gear for over 700 miles was a pleasure. I had to look in the mirror to make sure the boat was still there. The daytime reading of the instrument cluster is a pain. GM could take a lesson from Lexus in this area. Otherwise I am perfectly happy with this purchase, except I have to look for excuses to take it somewhere!!

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  very reliable - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By outtatime1 - November 22 - 6:00 am

  The best car/truck Ive ever owned. I trust it to go anywhere.Has towing package but anything 7000-8000lbs fells like a struggle for the engine. Like the 4 wheel disc brakes.Factory a/c delco batteries gave trouble(leaked acid). In 91k miles only 1 visit to dealer to repair abs warning light(abs unit died). The drive train is good(change limited slip gear lube every 30k miles) or limited slip rear can stay locked up after a hard acceleration.)Truck has been lowered 2-4 inches (It sits nice, not too low). Installed airlift load assist air bags for towing/hauling (highly recommended!) Flowmaster 70 series dual side exhaust system. 20 inch centerline wheels. The truck Ive always wanted. Very happy.

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  Acadia 08 SLT 2WD - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By M08 - November 22 - 2:05 am

  I love this vehicle. Everything is great about it. The look, the handling, the quitness at 0ver 80 mph (be creative), the options, etc.. But there still some small thing I wan to comment on. For a 40k car there is so much plastic inside. You expect it to be more luxurious but its not. Have bluetooth, for Gods sake we are in the 21 century. Premium sound system is so not premium, bearly giving sound. Guess they forgot to install the amp. The gas mileage is not so bad as long as you are babysitting it, but if you dare to push that pedal you will truly see the gas gauge is going down in front of your eyes, but that should be expected with a huge car like this. After all I still love this car

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  Junk so far - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Rodney - November 20 - 11:16 pm

  We purchased our Acadia new with 5 miles on it. The problems began 1week later by having to have a new engine put in it! then the battery went dead a few months later and the OnStar didnt work to call for help. The traction control quit working and had to be fixed, then the cruise control quit working, then the battery went dead again while driving at night so we had no dash lights and not much of anything was working, so after 5 times of being in the shop lets hope its all fixed, we should have a new car by now with all those new parts,oh wait, we did buy a new car. Comfortable ride when it runs, NAV doesnt work right, OnStar works sometimes, love it when everything works! Gimme a new one

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  Its an okay SUV - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By terri - November 20 - 10:21 am

  The front interior is too small needs to be roomier. The gas mileage is terrible. The heater core is going on it and it will take eight and a half hours to fix it and more than $800. Why does it have to be that hard to get at the core. The shocks are terrible and I had to replace the ball joints. I like driving it It has lots of pep I like the looks of it and it has a great heater.

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  YUKON 2003 AMERICAN CARS ARE BACK!!!! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By SFLA - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Forget about my 2002 BMW, this new Yukon for 37,000 dollars out the door is unreal. Fit and finish is quite good. Ride is better than could have imagined. Seating is very comfortable with the lumbar and leather. Steering wheel controls for XM SATELLITE 100 some odd stations is AWESOME. This truck is fabulous.

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  Nice Value SUV - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By bigb4334 - November 18 - 5:50 pm

  I love the power that the V8 offers in this size of an SUV. I would agree with some that turning is very soft with this vehicle, but some like the smoothness that it gives you. I have yet to tow something with it, but cant wait. Bose stereo is great, and OnStar turn by turn is also great. With the pricing that they have for these vehicles right now, there isnt a better deal.

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  Great Car After 3 Years - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By Steve - November 18 - 1:42 pm

  Ive had this car for over 3 years on a 4 year GMAC lease. Its been extremely reliable and trouble free (only problem was a defective rear window switch replaced under warranty), and very comfortable to drive on a 1 hour snail type freeway commute each way on L.A. freeways. My only complaint: local gas mileage is awful (highway is OK). My overall mileage average per the built in computer is 12.9 with about 90% local (not highway) driving.

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  SLT-Z71 Nice Truck - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jason - November 18 - 9:23 am

  I just bought this truck (slt, z71, 1500 crew cab) last week. The aesthetics are very nice in and out. Not quite as comfortable as my old truck, but I assume that will take some breaking in. It has lots of little extras (back up warning lights in the rear of the cab) which I am still finding out about. Overall, I am extremely pleased with the truck and highly recommend it.