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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  Big Moes Yukon Hybrid - 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
  By Big Moe - November 17 - 11:20 pm

  I own a paper recycling company and my customer base is very environmentally conscious. My new Yukon Hybrid fits our company image perfectly. I now own 2 Cadillac Escalades that average 12 MPG. I have averaged 21.7 MPG over the last 3,000 miles with my new Yukon Hybrid. I love my vehicle! The car cost me $20,000 less than my Escalades and is both quieter and handles better. I plan on purchasing two more for my company as soon as the leases are up on the Escalades. A great job by GM!

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  Great SUV! - 1997 GMC Yukon
  By Steve - November 16 - 6:25 pm

  I have owned this truck for over 6 years and love it. It drives and rides great, holds necessary equipment I need for my job, have had some mechanical issues but were easy to repair (I do a majority of the work myself). Would purchase another once this one completely falls apart.

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  Really A Proud Suburban Driver! - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By prdsubrbndrvr - November 15 - 11:39 pm

  My Suburban is my tank! I am in college and love to drive all my friends around and everyone is sooo safe and comfy! Its a beast! The MPG is actually ok for being an older Suburban. The 44 gallon tank is the best thing ever for going a long time without filling up! I would like to thank my parents for handing this down to me! Minimal mechanical problems due to its age, but its always running strong! Took is off roading, 4x4 is the bomb on my tank! I will keep this till its end!

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  I love my new 2016 Acadia SLT-1 with options - 2016 GMC Acadia
  By Linda - November 15 - 7:12 am

  The ride is very smooth, quiet ride and I wouldnt have one of these without all the safety feature added to it. This vehicle feels very large when driving it and I dont always park it correctly unless I get out and see if I am in the lines. I am getting better at it since I have had it for 2 months now. I drive half city and half highway to work and back and get average of 20 mpg. That is a fair amount mpg for such a large vehicle. I did purchase one with all the bells and whistles to alert me 360 degrees around the car for safety hazards. I love these features since there are blind spots and the features help provide a second pair of eyes around me when I am driving. This car fits nicely in my garage also! The materials and interior gauges, etc are excellent and should hold up for the duration that I will own this car. My only remarks on the cons, probably wouldnt have covered the rear view vanity mirrors with cloth and the captains seat belts in the second row is inward too much,,,,,,pushes on my hip when the seat belt is locked in.

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  Very Nice Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gkway - November 14 - 4:36 pm

  Bought this truck after testing every full size on the market. I liked the F- 150 but nobody was willing to be half way reasonable. Toyota thinks to highly of the Tundra, and Dodge is a major gas hog. I am already getting over 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and that is with less than 2000 miles on it! The seats are very comfortable on long trips, and everything seems to be well laid out. Their is so little road noise it is incredible! I really like this truck!

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  Security Stinks - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By applered - November 14 - 2:04 pm

  I bought my 2001 Jimmy in July 2007, it was a used Jimmy. It has a good engine has always started but the security systems stinks. We drove the Jimmy a week after we bought it to Georgia. We get to Chatanoga TN and we started having problems with the Jimmy stopping and the security light coming on. We get back to Indiana where we live and the horns start going off and lights flashing in the middle of the night. We stop at a gas station shut the engine off, put in gas, pay for gas, get back in the Jimmy start it up and the security light comes on and we cant move. Now over a year later, the Jimmy runs but only for about 10 minutes and shuts off, wont run. Trading off as soon as I can.

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  Most reliable truck ever owned - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By Jay - November 14 - 9:36 am

  I am now approaching 300,000 miles on this truck and still have not spent money in repairs. I have changed the serpentine belt, headlamp and tires, but this truck has been very good to me.

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  Excellent Duramax Diesel! - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Dave Hardin - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Dont want to spend to much time here, but if your thinking about buying this vehicle w/ this motor, all I would say is "do it". It awesome!

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  Expensive to maintain - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By senseiccol - November 14 - 1:30 am

  Ive had to replace the alternator 3 times, the battery 2 times, both of the front ball joints As well as the idle arm have gone out, and the electrical system is junk. The door hinges and pins have gone out. I have also had to replace the fuses a couple of times. It stinks on gas. Nothing lasts very long on this SUV, and as soon as you fix one thing another thing goes out on you. Dont buy a Jimmy! Unless you like spending money on the same thing part again and again.

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  Great Touring Car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Norman - November 13 - 2:43 pm

  Took delivery and left a week later on a 12 day 3100 mile trip from Northern New England to Florida. Drove through rain, sun, wind, snow and ice and the Acadia performed perfectly. It handles and rides wonderfully, and averaged 19.8 mpg. Just retired and plan to do a lot of traveling. Looked at SUVs, minivans and crossovers and liked the room, comfort and features of the Acadia best.