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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  A refined, well built truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By MountainMan - November 11 - 12:26 pm

  Well designed, well built truck that is a pleasure to drive, but it struggles to pull my small 6000lb 5th wheel trailer over some moutain passes. ATF temps up around 215 deg although total weight well within published rating. Front end styling is ugly.

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  Good power but thats where the good end - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By Milez5858 - October 20 - 9:22 pm

  I bought the Envoy as the most powerful 6 cylendar for towing. I turns out I get better milage with an 8 cylendar truck. The air shocks were constantly pumping up, the fans for the climate control extremely loud, there is no vent setting so it was either blowing hot or cold air, wind noise was excessive, the gas tank is configured such that it always spilled over when filling no matter what gas station I went to. Passing gear was great but taking of from stopped was very slow for a 280 hp engine.

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  new transmission after 25k miles - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rossman - September 26 - 2:03 pm

  I have some serious quality concerns regarding the reliability of my Acadia as it accumulates miles. First, the odometer failed and just got it back from the dealer...had to replace the transmission after 25k miles. Plan on trading it in for a more reliable brand/model.

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  Defective Acadia - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Jus10credible - September 23 - 9:54 pm

  Ok, this is my second Post. When we first got the Acadia it was great. But 3 weeks after we bought it. The Stability Control System and the Antilocking Braking System went out on us. Thats when things got ugly. We took it back to the dealer and thats where its been for the last 2 weeks working on the 3rd week. They cant tell us whats wrong with our vehicle. We have a brand new Acadia and cant drive it. All the dealer can say is that they are working with GMC and doing all they can to fix the issues. Not feeling too good about the GMC product right now.

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  Looks good...Drives Poor - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By qzationsa - September 22 - 7:49 am

  I bought mine about one month ago. Nice sexy black truck all the toys. Mile mark 480 noise coming from the rear end. GM tried to say it was the displacement on demand. Turned out to be a bad ring gear. Truck ended up needing a whole new rear end. Mile mark 680 transmission is clinging and clanging under normal driving conditions with decelerating only to be followed by not knowing what gear to select with I put my foot back on the gas. Today it was stuck in 2nd gear for about 8 seconds. Also new today, the truck stalled with a huge bang in the transmission when shifting from R to D. I like the truck a lot when it is parked. Not so much when driving. Buyer beware...

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  Drives good BUT....... - 1998 GMC Jimmy
  By linda - September 10 - 7:56 am

  Bought this Jimmy @ 31k miles, put an extended warranty @ 36k, THANK GOODNESS!! Have replaced the windshield wiper circuit board twice but NO RECALL haha way to go GMC wrote and complained to GMC with no good response kept the maintance up and I do have 200k miles on it now, but have replaced the air conditioner compressor TWICE, had my heater coil plug stopped up , had to have it UNSTOPPED TWICE then had to just replace the enitre heater, front hubs replaced, front drivers side door hinges replaced, hood latch HAVE TO OPEN WITH A WRENCH, now extended warranty is over, have got alot of mileage and will continue to drive it NO CAR PAYMENT but if i had to do it again i WOULD NOT BUY THIS

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  Franks GMC Envoy - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Frank Ciasnocha - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Had problem after 5 months where air conditioning did not work. Ride is kind of rough, could be smoother although this is my first SUV. Gas mileage is alot less than I expected. Is only getting about 14 in the city and 19 on the highway, less than window said and I an not a lead foot driver.

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  Buyer Beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By PJ - September 2 - 6:40 pm

  We purchased the car in 2007 and noticed the acceleration was poor especially when A/C is on. Hit 36,000 miles memorial day weekend and since then the waterpump, and transmission sensor have been replace. Now car is whining and was told in normal cars they have power steering but this car doesnt and it is electrical and you not what that means more money. Overall this is not a reliable vehicle. Service department now knows my name but they are good at making the repairs.

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  terrible build - 1997 GMC Sonoma
  By Joi - August 22 - 3:28 pm

  I do love my truck its looks good. Other than that since Ive owned it it has spent more time in a parking spot. One thing after another from a tensioner to the transmission has approx 87,000 miles. the transmission is a good one Ive reseached it and it has many many applications I think that the inside apecs should have been researched a bit more this is probally the nost popular transmission the 4L60 just has different for each vehicle Never should have put a 4 cylinder automatic in an extended cab

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  Poor GM Customer Support - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Tom - August 4 - 10:47 am

  The Envoy looks nice. Looks can be deceiving. Fuel gauge quit working. Expensive to repair. Water pump gone out. Expensive to repair. GM is aware of the problem history with these vehicles but puts the burden on the owner. GM knew these parts were not performing up to par and chose to still use them. Defective parts equals lots of repair bills at the dealerships! No reliability + no responsibility = No General Motors!