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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  Duramax/Allison combo is a beast! - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Mark - October 28 - 10:36 pm

  This vehicle was a replacement for a 2005 2500HD Duramax SLE and the engines are nothing alike. The new Duramax and six speed Allison is quieter, smoother and the towing power is incredible. We are towing a 35 foot travel trailer and it is like theres nothing behind you. The Z71 package does increase the stiffness but the ride is excellent. The interior rivals my 07 Denali. If you gotta tow, this is the one to buy.

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  American styling & technology wins - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Terri Thomas - October 27 - 2:33 am

  Love this car - just shifts a bit slowly, used to my Nissan Rogue smoothe transitioning gears

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  Sticker mileage statement - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By ken smith - October 23 - 5:33 pm

  vehicle is rated at 16 in city, 20 on hwy. Expected 15 in city and 18 on hwy. Realistically am getting approx 12.4 city and 16.5 on hwy. Have checked several times. Good, conservative driver aged 77. Driving GMC trucks for 18 years. Best overall truck for quality, performance, and resale.

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  Good, but not great - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By candleman - October 10 - 11:50 pm

  This diesel was an upgrade from a gas Dodge RAM1500. Pulling a 7,000lb trailer now seems effortless. Turbocharger takes a long time to engage and gas mileage wasnt as good as Id expected for a diesel- about 12.5 pulling trailer which is disappointing since over 20 without. Just had 3 injectors replaced under 100K Duramax warranty which I believe was a known problem in all GM diesels from 2002-2006. No recall, of course! No significant change in power or mileage with the new injectors. I hate that GM always adds a $95+ "diagnostic fee" for the computer hookup with any service. Also- computers trip timer hasnt worked since purchase and the stereo speaker sound is absolutely awful.

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  Love It So Far - 2016 GMC Yukon XL
  By Peter R - October 2 - 5:39 pm

  I love the on board computer for the driver. Coming home from a golf trip right after we got the car, I averaged 29 MPG on the highway for 25 miles. If you drive it smoothly, you will get good gas mileage. All the USB outlets are awesome for traveling with phones and ipads. I am surprised at how small the glove box is for such a large vehicle and I wish the cup holders were bigger. I have read reviews of people complaining about the sluggish gas pedal, but that does not bother me one bit. This is a large SUV, I am not driving it like a sports car.

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  Mot the mileage on the sticker - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By WWO - September 29 - 6:43 am

  It drives good, could use more power. Nice size. Has had 3 recalls. When driving at noon the reflection off of the ac vents will blind you. I have 7000 mi and mileage is not what is on the sticker. Love the XM and OnStar.

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  Nice ride - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By j byrd - September 4 - 12:03 am

  I love my truck, it has everything. The only problem Ive had is the power window motors have both gone out and been replaced, and the 4 wd switch goes out and causes message board to read service 4 wd. Seems to be common problem according to dealer and other c/k 1500 owners. Other than that no problems. Gas mileage is not bad for the size of the truck. I figure 18 to 20 mpg, Hwy miles about 480 to tank, hwy & city I got about 454. Its a good looking truck. I get compliments on it all the time. I havent done much to it, Stainless wheel to wheel nerf bars & tubular grill & soft snapless extreme tonneau cover, everything else stock.

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  Driving in a living room - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Mark - September 2 - 2:43 pm

  Super roomy and comfortable. Ive had extraordinarily great reliability. Excellent in snow and incement weather with the right tires.

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  Buyer be cautious - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By cch156 - September 2 - 7:23 am

  We choose the Acadia because it had so many of the features we were looking for and I wanted to drive something new and reliable. The Acadia has met many of my needs, but reliability is not one of them. In the 4 months we’ve had the car it’s been to the dealership 3 times. They had to replace the right cylinder head because of cam shaft end play. Now, I am uncomfortable driving a car that had to have the engine dropped at 6,000 miles for a major repair. A disappointment on a $39K car. I do agree with many of the reviewers that say there is a lack of power at slow speeds when climbing an incline. However, we were fairly happy with the Acadia’s performance when towing a U-Haul trailer.

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  Yukon Transmissions stinks - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By oh1odie1 - August 28 - 8:06 pm

  This vehicle has been in for repairs over the years at least 5 times for transmissions problems - but 36 days after the dealer recommended a "transmission flush" - the entire transmission blows up! Co-incidence? I think NOT! I think it is pretty suspicious that after a recommended procedure of "flushing" is done to have the transmission blow up only after 36 days!!! DO NOT BUY A GMC PRODUCT!!!! Basically, the dealer and GMC complaint department says "too bad, so sad"