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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  Very Happy With My Jimmy SUV - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By anthony - April 1 - 5:29 pm

  I had to replace my lifters on my Jimmy after 7 years. And the check engine light always comes on, but they never find anything wrong with my SUV. Other then that, great American SUV. Would buy another one, very happy with my GMC Jimmy

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  The Jurys Still Out - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Kara Pompano - April 1 - 11:45 am

  We like our 2007 Acadia. It would be love if not for the annoying vibration of the steering wheel/column and the constant "whiny sound" coming from the transmission or steering wheel. Gas mileage is terrible, even worse after we had the computer software update. Moving east and will soon be shopping for AWD. If GMC doesnt get its act together with this steering column/transmission issues, the Honda Pilot might be our next new vehicle purchase.

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  2007 GMC Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By ThorPower - March 31 - 2:35 pm

  Traded in a Yukon SLT for this vehicle. Very happen with the driveability of the Acadia. Mileage is not as advertised nor all that much better than a Yukon. Drives more like a car than a truck. Have had mini vans, this has almost the same amount of storage space. Have had seals replaced on transfer case already for leaking. Also had a time on freeway where I had to kick it down to passing gear and absolutely nothing happened - could have been a potential hazard. Update to vehicle electronics afterward may have rectified problem.

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  Love my 2008 GMC - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By mmchis - March 30 - 5:48 pm

  It rides very smooth. I enjoy the comfortable seats. I like all the extras! The wood grain center console and steering wheel are beautiful. I would like more storage available in the center console. I like that the vehicle uses 4 cylinders, until it needs the full 8. It helps with gas mileage.

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  3 strikes and now what? - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Rushing - March 30 - 11:13 am

  I loved my truck and for a house full of boys it is great. But why have we replaced the fuel pump system 3 times and now it has failed AGAIN? 1st in July 2008, then again in January 2009, then again in July 2009 and now just shy of a year it goes out again!

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  2002 GMC Sierra SLT X-Cab SB - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By raiderwes - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive had GMC, Chevy and (one) Ford pickups over the last 30 years. This one is by far the best, although it is the first one in at least 27 years without the classic 350 V-8. The new large V-8 is a worthy successor. The transmission is smooth. The interior is very comfortable, almost as good as my BMW. Alas, it is not as fun to drive as the BMW, but pretty good for a pickup. Only one problem in 20 months, being a shake in the steering column, which I will take to the dealer soon.

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  Loving It! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By MelissaP. - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 2001 Acura MDX for this and love it! I have 3 kids in car seats plus a husband who is 64" and it gives us plenty of room on long trips. DVD player is awesome, so easy to use while driving. I have a leather interior and seats are very comfortable. I get 16.2 mpg average and i live in a rural area with lots of hills. The things that I am disappointed with was that there is no place for sunglasses like in older models...something simple but it matters. Interior door handles are really cheap chrome and you can see the seam in them which someone else had mentioned in a review. Overall super happy with my rig. First American car, have owned VW, Audi and Acura.

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  1st Terrain - could not be happier - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Southern Newhampshire - March 26 - 8:24 pm

  Chose the SLT AWD with V6 3.6L option. Leather and everything but driver memory feature. Extremely comfortable to drive, V6 has great response. Only observation is down-shifting when coasting around corner then up-hill; seems to hard shift but learned to work the pedal differently.

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  Id only trade it for a newer one! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Spoil Myself - March 26 - 6:57 pm

  I bought my 03 Yukon SLT 5.3L V8 2WD in 9/03 with 500 miles on it. Since the day I bought it, Ive said that the only car Id trade it for would be a newer version of the same vehicle. I now have >96K miles on my Yukon, & love it just as much. I drive 75 miles/day round-trip to work, & given the time I spend in my vehicle, wanted a car will all of the amenities--this has them! Ive only ever had 2 things go wrong with it--the drivers seat warmer went out at 95K, & the fuel pump at around 60K miles. Ive never had any other mechanical issue or service issues with local GM mechanics not being knowledgeable about my vehicle as reported by others.

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  Part of the family - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By Joe Park - March 24 - 7:17 pm

  We bought the Denali when it first came out, and it has served well. It needed the typical GM repairs(Fuel pump, fuel injectors, manifold gasket, weak brakes)but when they are all fixed, she still runs well. Now its lifted 2.5", has Brembo brake calipers, disc brake rear conversion, full MSD ignition, and sport sway bars. It handles great, tows well, and starts perfectly. The V8 is so smooth. Cant believe it has 150,000k miles on it. Only beef is the low mpgs. At least it takes regular gas. This SUV has become my weekend toyhauler.