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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  My Last GM product - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Chris - July 2 - 2:46 am

  Owned the vehicle for 3 yrs. Clanking noise and vibration in front end was steering column that they replaced under warranty (recall) and has had subsequently needed "lubed" two additional times because the problem shows up every 12K miles. I have had to pay each time for the "fix" which is out of warranty. Water pump out at 42K miles. Heat Shield for the muffler had to be replaced. Out of warranty. Noticing the transmission slipping at 57K miles and transmission was shot. New transmission and out of warranty. GM offered no help. When purchasing the vehicle we debated over this vehicle and the Toyota Sequoia. Have had Toyota products with no problems but thought we would try GM. LAST GM

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  Unreliable - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By sandyle03 - June 20 - 4:18 pm

  I have had my truck for 5 years. Although I havent had to replace the fuel pump, I am having some electrical issues. The starter is not bad, but sometimes I will drive some place, get out, and get back in the truck...it wont say a sound, no turn over or nothing but everything in the truck still works. I took it to GMC and they refused to dig into the problem because it would not stall there (no wonder they are in bankrupt). They put a $356 wire on it, and it did it again as soon as I stopped to the store leaving. No one would come up the road to help me.(maybe 5 blocks) Great vehicle but the gas cost is killing me! If I can get it to stop stalling, it would be even better!

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  Nice Looking - but Poor Quality - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Marty Simms - June 16 - 8:15 pm

  I bought this vehicle in Sept of 06 and thought it was going to be the best purchase ever. I have only had problems with this Yukon since the day I bought it. Problems with the battery, heater, arm rests and more. I was so disappointed as the vehicle looks sooo nice on the outside. Inside is great, lots of room...but poorly made with cheap parts. Time to move onto something else.

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  Average in all regards - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By gmcjimmy2000 - June 13 - 4:38 pm

  Got my 2000 Jimmy when it had 32,000 miles. Overall, Ive liked it, although its been about average in all regards. Had to do little maintenance repairs pretty frequently ($100 here, $70 there), and "major" repairs have included front rotor and fuel pump, which hurt the pocketbook. Also own a Toyota, which has more miles on it but has required fewer repairs, which doesnt build confidence in the Jimmy. Like the engine for a V6 and the vehicle is fun to drive. Interior is average, back seats not too comfortable for full-sized person. Lots of room with rear seats folded down.

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  Cant drive at night - 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Frosty - June 9 - 2:44 am

  Well folks Im back weve been to the dealer 4 times the headlights are terrible . I asked the service manager to load his family up and take it for a spin as I hate to drive at night . The headlights are only producing 1250 lumens when they should be 2500 to allow for proper visual at night . Please give this vehicle a drive at night and try to turn onto a side road make sure you have the salesman in the passenger seat !!!!.

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  Dumped it after 6 months - 2016 GMC Yukon XL
  By rob kowalski - May 27 - 10:30 am

  Bought this SUV brand new. Loved the ride height, power, and engine sound. We have 4 small kids. The only way to change the rear zone temp is from the rear. My kids were in car seats, and too young to manage the controls anyway. Bad design. Heat was either on or off, couldnt adjust temp. After five weeks the rear view camera stopped working every third time we put it in reverse. GMC replaced center console 3 times and it never fixed. I told them it must be a wiring issue but they said that is too hard and expensive to try to fix. It was a brand new truck! They told me they were going to charge me $3200. The truck was a few months old at that point, and I had bought it brand new from that dealer with 10 miles on it. After 5 months a plasticky smell started coming from heat. Dealer could not find anything wrong and said it must have been our fault and they were done. Lost a good bit of money but traded it in for another Sienna minivan. So much happier again.

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  Fuel sucker & poor quality - 2008 GMC Savana
  By Bruno661 - May 18 - 11:23 pm

  Ive always been a GM guy, but this van has really been a disappointment. The first day off the lot the windshield was hit by two separate SMALL stones causing the windshield to CRACK. Very poor quality glass. AC also went bad within 6 months. We struggle to get 10mpg city or highway. I think ONE time I got 12mpg on the highway. Towing my trailer I was lucky to get 6mpg. Probably wouldnt buy again.

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  Buyer beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Tom in Texas - April 25 - 4:10 pm

  Should have known better than to buy a new American vehicle in its 1st year of production, but I was absolutely smitten by the design. Had issues with excessive road noise on the highway, but that was finally resolved after almost a year with new tires (the original Fortera tires were defective). Car handles nice and tight on the hwy with decent acceleration and comfort. However, mileage has never been as good as advertised. Worse thing is intermittent roof leaks that have required 4 or 5 trips to the dealership! Thank goodness I bought the GM Protection Plan extended warranty. Wonder if it will do me any good once GM goes bankrupt? I will think three times before buying a GM product again.

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  Very Fun Few Problems - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By acam1 - April 13 - 9:33 pm

  I bought this vehicle in Sept. 2008, and now it is Apr. 2009. It has, so far, been an amazing vehicle. Yes, its had a few problems, but it was just normal wear-and-tear (rusty differential cover, O2 sensors, old block heater line). Overall, this vehicle is good, but not for its city driving. On average, I received about 9 - 12 mpg city, 13 - 16 highway, which is about what the much larger Tahoe/Yukon gets now. Offroad, it is extremely fun. I do prefer the much larger SUVs though, and that was my biggest regret in buying the Jimmy, although this so-called "mid-size" SUV (it is pretty long, actually) has proven to be extremely substantial and capable. Just take care of it and it runs fine!

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  3 inches of water - leak recall - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Lemon-Owner - April 3 - 10:37 am

  I was so excited when we bought this vehicle, but it has turned into a love-hate relationship. I LOVE driving it, but the sunroof leaks and resulted in 3 inches of water under the insulation. After 5 months of back and forth into the shop without any luck in fixing it, the electric system has finally started to fail due to the water. GM has finally decided to negotiate a replacement. We are now considering the Honda Pilot. If we did get this car again, NO SUNROOF. Nothing but problems.