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:

• 

  2006 GMC 1500 4X4 SLE Z71 - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By David Russell - January 8 - 9:23 pm

  Very Handsome truck. Price was very reasonable ($6,000 less than comparable Titan)Combination of performance and fuel economy very good for 4X4 large truck category (17 mpg avg.). Only two complaints too tall gearing 3.42 gears in all 4X4 trucks I looked at;thus towing is kinda difficult. Truck feels like it is in second gear when starting off. Corrected that problem with 4.10 gears. Now truck pulls hard and feels more powerful than the titan I drove, and also my dads hemi ram. I also have a programmer intake and exhaust. The truck with 8" lift and bigger tires still runs around 7.2 seconds to sixty. Stock it could muster only 8.8 seconds to sixty. other problem no grab handle for driver.

• 

  Good, bad, and ugly - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ted Sparling - January 5 - 5:50 pm

  The Isuzu engine is the best part of this truck, along with the Allison tranny. The worst part has been all the GM stuff. Everything from numerous AC problems to leaks, memory features deleting themselves, multiple transfer case problems for auto 4WD, and leaking fuel injectors. If it were not for the dealerships attitude and incompetance i would buy again.

• 

  Living in the lap of luxury - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By FC1 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. The amenities are enough to make your head spin. I only have 5 knocks on the car so far.... How could GMC forget to put a remote gas cap cover release, and a remote rear window release in a car that otherwise has every gadget ? How could they settle for sutch an oversize and ugly steering wheel ? Why cant they make ONSTAR an option and lower the price ?. Why cant they make running boards standard instead of ONSTAR ?.... How about replacing that ridiculous sounding horn with a better one ? Other than that I hope this one lasts me a long, long time...and from what Ive seen so far....it should.

• 

  Steering feels cheap - 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
  By heresmyopinion - January 2 - 5:40 pm

  Bought the truck in Sept. and I gotta say, this is one smooth driving pickup. If I had the extra dough, the SLT would have been the way to go. The door handles are in a bad spot, passengers have a hard time finding them. The cab is already starting to make noise and the steering feels REAL cheap, Im planning on bring it to the dealer to have it checked out. Fuel economy is good, averaging around 17 mpg. The 5.3 liter has great power, with the truck loaded up, but I havent towed anything heavy yet so Im not sure how the truck would handle or brake. The leather interior is very comfortable, even on long trips and you cant beat the full size room. Got a good deal and dealership was great.

• 

  Excellent Grocery Getter - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By TexasLonghornMike - December 1 - 5:06 pm

  We compared a number of crossovers and set our sights on the Acadia due to the combination of interior size, the availability of captains in the 2nd row, and its good looks. To date it has been an excellent grocery getter, capably hauling my wife and two kids from here to there with no issues. Its good to see GM producing first rate automobiles.

• 

  Beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By tecteac - November 24 - 10:16 am

  We were impressed with all the supposedly included features until we actually bought the car and found out many of them do not function in all the models. ie the drivers information center on the base models. We felt the features could be changed to meet our needs. After having the car/truck for a week we have found out that while they are there and functioning they only function the way the engineers at GMC choose to make them function. In particular is the door locks. They lock as expected when you put the car into gear. The problem is they unlock automatically when ever you put the Acadia into park. ie, waitng at a train crossing in the worse part of town.

• 

  good from far , far from good - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By brent - November 23 - 12:30 am

  Hello viewers , please take notes before going out and purchasing one of the cheapest poor quality trucks gm has ever build . This is my fourth gm truck in ten years. Ive had my 07 sierra for two years and was very pleased with everything that it had offered . Two years later or 16000 miles later the interior is falling apart, deep rust has started behind the door weather molding, rattles and squeaks while you drive . Truck is garage kept and well maintained . And I dont even have kids jumping in and out of it . Bottom line is Ive have always loved and stood behind gm vehicles for twelve years . But this is truley a poor professional grade. Oh and good luck with any warranty work .

• 

  Fuel mileage not as advertised - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Donna - November 14 - 5:06 am

  The comfort of the car is outstanding, but it does not get close to the 26 mpg on the highway as advertised and it is extremely slugglish going up any type of hill or passing a vehicle. We did take it to the dealership, but they couldnt find anything wrong. Also the radio system, a Bose, is good but you cant distinguish the back speakers from the front. The folding down of the 3rd seat is really easy.

• 

  Not happy for a few years - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Mike - November 12 - 9:06 pm

  When I purchased my truck almost 5 years ago, it has had a popping sound coming from the front end. It has been to the dealership 3 times, parts replaced each time. Worked well for the last couple of years, than it has started the popping again. Driver side door sounds like it is falling apart for the last 4 years. Had that repaired before and after a couple of years it is again sounding like its falling apart. For the last 12 years Ive owned 2 GMC Trucks and have enjoyed them. Since this is my second truck and I do enjoy it besides the repeating problems I wouldnt mind owning a 3rd, however the window stickers are a little out of my range now.

• 

  Questionable reliability - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Jafobob1 - October 29 - 4:10 pm

  This is an all-round great vehicle except for a few minor things that are ruining the experience. It has the worst high beams since my wifes Aerostar van (a candle anyone?); electrical gremlins have surfaced - the headlights go out while driving and then mysteriously return later - dealer cant diagnose and OnStar cant find anything; while idling, the truck activated the windshield washers and emplied the tank; problems with the rear view camera that were fixed with upgraded contacts. Driven responsibly, the fuel economy is on par with my 2005 AWD Yukon XL (a bit worse in town and a bit better on the highway). Tons of room inside yet remarkably easy to park in the city.