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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  2008 Acadia - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By TeagZach - February 7 - 10:13 am

  We purchased a 2008 Acadia on January 31, 2008. We have had nothing but problems with the front end, brakes, and the engine hesitating. The vehicle is comfortable overall except for headrests that stick into your head. The interior is stylish with nice accents and we like the red lights on the interior components. The vehicle handles well. The 6 speed transmission is less than desirable with consistent lag and hesitations. The vehicle cant stay at a constant speed as the engine cuts out and when driving and attempting to accelerate the vehicle hesitates. This is a major safety concern when merging on the highway or trying to accelerate to get out of the way of potential dangers.

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  Great - If it had any semblace of a decent tranny - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Sorely disappointed - February 5 - 9:53 am

  Its a nice truck, that rides fairly well. SLT interior is rather nice. It sucks fuel, less than 14 mpg in city driving with the 3.6 V6. The transmission, WHAT A JOKE!!! It has no idea what gear it wants to be in, constantly hunts and when it does pick one, its 2 gears too high for the situation. Case in point, turned left into my neighborhood, speedometer says 18 mpg. Press the gas pedal to accelerate. . .nothing, downshift it (which causes it to drop one gear and actually display the number rather than the D), and its in 4th gear. That means, it was in 5th gear of a 6 speed transmission going 18 mph. How does that make any sense?? I drive it like a manual with the manual shift just to have power when I need it. Now, its started a new "feature" Youll stop at a stop sign, or a light with the tranny in drive and when you press the gas pedal to go. NOTHING. No RPM increase, no movement, look at the shifter and the D is flashing red. Its almost killed me 3 times so far and just this morning, did the same thing trying to reverse out of the garage. Dealership said I didnt know how to drive the "new" auto transmission since Ive been driving a stick for the last 18 years. Cant WAIT for the 2018 Ranger, this thing will be history. The last GM I owned was a 1990 Grand Prix, it, like this truck look pretty, but are rolling piles of junk. DONE WITH GM.

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  Leaks everything. - 1997 GMC Sonoma
  By Bob - January 31 - 9:02 am

  Has leaked oil, coolant, trans lube, freon since the day I bought it. GM would do nothing. Had to drive a whole year without heat because nobody could figure out why or fix it. Noisy transmission. Mysterious electrical problems. Eats oxygen sensors. Needs new ones every 2 years. Drove about 4 years with the "check engine" light on. Hard to fix since everything is so tightly jammed in the engine compartment. I would not buy GMC again. Yeah, a Sonoma is not a "real" truck. But just because its small is no excuse for bad design and manufacturing. It wasnt a cheap truck.

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  Angry - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By mebedd - January 18 - 9:56 pm

  When my new Acadia had 1800 miles the check engine light came on. Took it to the dealership and they had to replace the head and both camshafts!! At 2100 miles the check engine light came on. They said the gas cap was loose and even though we repeatedly removed the cap and replaced it, the check engine light would not go off. They had to reprogram the computer to get the light to go off. To compound the misery Im only getting 17-19 mpg with 90% of my driving being on the turnpike using the cruise control! They say they can do nothing about the gas mileage but it should get better around the 10,000 mile mark!!

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  what a dissapointment - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mistified - December 28 - 1:33 am

  I bought my 2009 GMC Junk to replace my awesome 1994 GMC 3/4 ton which I sold (huge mistake) driver visibility non existant inside lower corners cut out of mirrors prevent rear view near truck... lane lines in mirror appear several vehicles behind, must adjust mirrors to see curb/sidewalk when parallel parking then back into objects no longer visible when mirror set to curb, oversize posts and mirror assembly severely restricts drivers ability to see pedestrians or objects (pedestrian collision stats anyone?) parked my 1994 confidently within inches without incident 6 years my 2009 is full of dents after 3 years like many on road including police vehicles observed. eng., tran, steering suck

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  6 years $6k in repairs - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By goingforeign - December 17 - 12:04 pm

  This vehicle was excellent over the first 100k miles. After which, Ive had to replace the transfer case at a total cost of $1500. The airbag system failed due to a faulty modulator & master control switch and is $1400 to replace. Im now at 205,000 miles and have to get the rear differential rebuilt for a cool $1700, along with a failed control module adding another $700. All of this combined with several other trim and mechanical failures have me up in arms. I might as well have a car payment with as much as this is costing in repairs. I drive the heck out of this vehicle, but have the fluids checked/replaced on a monthly basis along with other scheduled/required maintenance. This stinks.

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  Extremely disappointed. Worthless at 52k miles - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By 2ndstpirate - December 16 - 1:16 am

  Had to get motor replaced at 52k miles. Starting at 35k the lifters starting ticking. Dealership has worked on it an average of 2 days each month for the past year and finally had to replace the motor. It left me stranded and had to be towed twice in the past 8 weeks. Interior - "fake leather" seats started cracking at 3 years old. Dash cracked at 40K miles. Door panels rattle and dash does as well. Replaced two sets of power door locks. They are not worth 2 cent Horn went into a high pitch about 1 year into owning it. It sounds like a little foreign car. 4x4 is weak. I often drive on sand and it cannot run in 4 high without overheating for more than 10 minutes at speeds of 20mph

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  better have a second car!! - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By ramdaddi - December 11 - 10:13 am

  you will need a second car while this one is in the shop!! bumper to bumper, this ride was designed by a bunch of engineers who see cheech and chong as THEIR role models!! i thank God that i purchased an extended warranty, or i would easily be out over ten grand! the service engine light keeps me company. finally went off with a new injector pump in mid summer, but now it is back!! EXTENDED WARRANTY!!

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  25,000 miles on my 2014 Sierra Slt - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By leonizean - December 8 - 9:32 pm

  Well what can i say. I Fell in love with the way she looks. to those who have not put any real miles on there vehicles yet the problems only get worse. I never tow or haul anything i strictly drive freeway. no off road. Let me list a few problems i have. windshield leaks into the cab, windows are loud at freeway speed, rattling in the cab, headlights suck at night, suspension when wet creeks badly, truck chirps about 55 mph. Satellite gps quits randomly,usb ports stopped working,110 volt outlet quit, transmission slips, transmission searches for gears randomly shifts,Today 4/22/14 she lost power going up hill. i am in a love hate relationship with my truck these days.

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  DONT DO IT - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By unhappy camper - November 21 - 10:00 am

  i dont know who the people are writing these other reviews....but the envoy is a junker. it is an overpriced test car for GMC. I have had too many problems with this vehicle in the past 4 months. I wish I read some of the other reviews before buying. interior design, appears nice, but is inconvenient and cheaply made. constant service problems, that cannot be fixed.