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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  Great Family Car - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Patti Mott - March 24 - 7:14 am

  We wanted a fun and stylish car with lots of room but without the big SUV feel and poor gas mileage. We found it in our Acadia. Its a perfect fit for our family and is super for road trips.

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  Read this - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Rich pruckler - March 24 - 5:58 am

  First of all, I need to ding edmunds for not even listing the model with a Diesel engine. The engine is great. Love the vehicle but I am outraged that the first gravel road I went on, gravel blasted the protruding portion of the rear wheel area. Vehicle should have had mud flaps on the front. You should demand flaps be put on by your dealer. At least recommended. I will bash GMC on reviews on this everywhere I can. Major oversight on GMCs part.

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  Smooth & Quiet - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By WD - March 23 - 7:14 pm

  I previously owned other SUVs which road like trucks and were noisy on long rides. The Envoy has great power and better than the sticker fuel economy, 18 average, 20 or better on a trip. Seating is comfortable and OnStar works well.

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  Overall a good truck but has some issues - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By John - March 20 - 11:27 am

  This vehicle is a great medium sized truck but there are the usual GM fit and finish issues. The turning radius is ridiculous and cause many parking lot problems. The radio is probably the worst piece of junk I have found in any vehicle.The radio is an easy fix with aftermarket units. The turning radius is not curable. Experienced a few rattles, could be tighter.

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  If youve got to haul, this is it... - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Joey B - March 19 - 6:53 pm

  This is an extremely capable truck. Comfortable, tracks nicely and does what it is supposed to. Work. Wish the fuel economy was better but this is a work truck.

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  My first SUV and I’m loving it. - 2018 GMC Terrain
  By Stan K. - March 19 - 5:49 pm

  I’ve had my fully loaded Terrain Denali for several weeks now and it just keeps growing on me. He 2.0T really shoves you back in your seat and the 9-Speed auto is extremely smooth and responsive for having that many gears. Auto stop/start does take some getting used to though. Soft touch materials abound and most things feel like real quality to me. Mileage is decent and would no doubt be better if I could keep my right foot out of the Turbo. Cargo space is good. It’s fairly quiet as well though there is of course a bit more noise from the back compared to the sedans I’ve had prior. The new updated GMC Intellilink looks great and is easy to set up and use. Give one a test drive and try the Terrain out for yourself.

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  Worst buy - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Tom - March 19 - 6:06 am

  Worst purchase Ive ever made. Never better than 12 MPG on highway. Very little support from untrustworthy dealership. Required front ball joints at 60,000 miles because "southern hospital" mechanics failed to lubricate chassi properly and dealership refused to fix. No room in vehicle back seats. Have back seat belts for three, can only fit 2 people. Transmission gone at 140,000. NEVER ANOTHER GMC PRODUCT

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  Do not keep after 150,000 miles - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By snake - March 17 - 7:07 pm

  SUV was purchased in Aug 2003, it presently has 203000 miles 90% percent highway driving no serious problems in the first 3 1/2 years, in the last year, replaced air conditioning compressor transfer case transimission alternator front wheel bearings front differential and more.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Peavey - March 16 - 12:34 pm

  Ive owned several Suburbans in the past as we became empty nesters I figured that I didnt need such a large vehicle. We downsized for a while, (tried a Jeep) but finally decided that we really enjoyed the larger size of the Yukons. Ive had this vehicle for a year now, put on about 13,000 miles and am rather impressed. Almost no issues the only problem Ive experienced is that the power liftgate does not function consistently when the temp drops below zero (Im in Minnesota) - but then neither do I. Fit, finish, comfort excellent - smooth vehicle for an SUV. No funny noises, except for an AC belt that occasionaly chirped until it was adjusted.

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  Trash Truck or SUV? - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By Alex - March 14 - 8:53 pm

  Not to say that every thing about it is bad, but i have never owned a worse vehicle. I average 9.5 mpg driving conservatively and find myself in a serious money pit constantly b/c if its not the 3rd time i have to put gas in it in one week, Im at the shop paying 500 dollars to replace the next thing that went wrong with it. I have replaced pretty much everything under the hood with the exception of the block itself, and that doesnt come cheap. All in all i would not recommend this car to anyone unless it was free and they only needed it because they are doing a demolition derby with it. Hopefully you wont have to make the same mistake as me and buy a jimmy.