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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  Lousy suv - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By duped - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Having driven this car for 20k miles,Im getting rid of it. It is very uncomfortable, has poorly designed interior features, handles slugglishlyt and is lousy in deep snow and offroad. Many things have broken, fallen off, or were installed incorrectly. Quality is poor for the hefty price. Never again!

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  GMC2500HD - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By response - August 19 - 3:23 am

  Its a love/hate relationship between me and this truck. I first fell in love with the outside design. The front view has the same appearance as the Denali. It rides high and has a very aggressive look. It has plenty of power and has yet to be challenged by any load have had. The 6.0L is one of my prized possessions. Most of the of the negative comments here should have been expected, I understand. It sucks gas. Im averaging around 14 MPG. It offers a bumpy ride. The dash board seems cheaply made, with thin plastic. The rear end can get loose quickly on wet surfaces. The power steering box went out twice. 17 inch rims on a truck of this size is an injustice.

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  Money Pit! - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By EGOLDEN - August 15 - 3:25 pm

  I had my Jimmy for 2 years and spent over $3,000 in various repair costs in the 2 years I had it and I only put 22,000 miles on it during those 2 years. That said, I did buy it used, but with low mileage on it. The vehicle should not have broken down as much as it did. I planned on having the vehicle for 3 more years, but at this point I need to cut my losses. It makes sense that this vehicle is phased out now.

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  A Lemon - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Disgusted - June 10 - 10:35 pm

  This is the worst car/SUV I have ever had. Hands down. 6 MPG city. 10 highway. Is all over the road. Have had a Toyota Forerunner - Excellent a GMC Suburban - Excellent. This is simply a piece of junk.

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  New Duramxx - 2017 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Bob - June 8 - 5:31 am

  Folks were nice and knowledgeble. Unfortunately i asked for a loaner pick up or a large SUV and was stuck with the smallest Buick SUV that id ever seen. Not the dealers fault, but there is still a tapping in my Duramax engine that they say is normal, this is the noisiest Duramax ive ever owned, and ive had 5 of them. All the others were a pleasure to drive with plenty of power, this one is pathetic. The only reason im keeping it is because the new Ford front ends are ugly, as soon as Ford changes their headlights ill be getting rid of this GMC and going back to a Ford F250 King Ranch. Its very doubtful that this will be published but as stated below, you have my permission to publish.

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  Run from this car!! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By anart04 - May 8 - 7:38 am

  Weve owned a 2010 GMC Terrain SLE 6 cylinder since December 2009. We purchased this after our first child and quickly realized how tiny the backseat was with a carseat installed. Along came baby number 2 and bye-bye went the third passenger in the back. Even just three average adults are squished into that tiny space. I couldnt sit between the 2 carseats and Im 54, 130lbs. Within the first year, the tailgate needed to be repainted because the back licence plate housing rubbed the paint off. 18 months later, the same thing happened. At the 4 year mark, the inside bottom of all the doors were rusted to the metal. The center console USB plug stopped working after a year. Out of the blue, I got a service stabilitrac warning one day around 60,000 miles accompanied by loud grinding from my brakes. I needed a new wheelbearing, all new brake pads, and rotors, and my emergency brake caliber somehow fell off. At 63000 miles, at startup one evening, the engine sputtered and the notification center said low power mode, service stabilitrack, and the abs, stabilitrak, and check engine light stayed on. After turning the car off and on a few times, the lights turned off, but I still had an intermittent check engine light turn on. The code for that was for a camshaft actuator and the engine had somehow burned or leaked 2 quarts of oil in a very short amount of time. Wasted $300 on a camshaft actuator and the check engine light stayed off long enough for the ride home. Called the dealership next day, they stated that the timing chains usually need to be replaced in these and that may be what is wrong (mind you, "may be" to the tune of another $1,000!) They also informed me that they had never changed the timing chains on a 6 cylinder at that dealership. I questioned if it would affect the engines function and was assured that the timing chains made noise when they went bad and I would know when it was time. Fast forward another 8 months and 3,000 miles and my service stabilitrak light, ABS, and check engine lights are on again and the engine has again consumed 3 quarts of oil in a short amount of time(yes, I regularly check the oil). At 70000 miles, the motor failed on the windshield washer pump, so I am unable to wash my front/rear windshield until I repair it. There is currently a recall for an intermittent problem with the seatbelt notification chime dinging despite everyone wearing their seatbelts. This has only happened twice and resolves itself if you restart the engine. This car was garage kept and averaged less than 10,000 miles a year, and I followed the maintenance schedule. I am the original owner. When I contacted GMC, their reply was that the vehicle is out of warranty and then they had the dealership contact me. After some research, I found my issues are similar to other GMC Terrain owners and if your Terrain isnt having any of these issues now, great, but I strongly suggest getting rid of it before this happens. If your looking to purchase a Terrain, please choose something else!! **Update**2018 This beast is still running! In the past year, the moonroof malfunctioned and needed to be completely replaced or permanently closed. It was a difference of a $1000 or $200 repair. You can probably guess what I chose. I now have a sweet sky light in my car that has the tiniest annoying air leak in it, but its closed at least. I still randomly burn through oil, but again I regularly check it, so I guess its not an issue. The check engine light permanently stays on. The bottom of the doors are rusting faster than I can drive it. Im just waiting for the engine to blow up.

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  gm messed it up agine - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Michael Larson Cheney WA. - May 7 - 4:32 am

  The truck is to high . I cant reach the bottom of the bed. My wife cant get in it with out a stool .I had to add a receiver hitch and a 6" drop ball mount because the bumper is 5" higher then my old truck. This is replacing my 92 gmc Sonoma it was just the right size. When closed the back doors are to wide and the handle hits me in the back every time I get in. The cruse control doesnt work and the right turn signal doesnt cancel after a turn. It left the factory this way It gets terrible gas mileage at 70 mph. They made a unheard of bolt pattern 6 lug on 4.72" so my snow wheels wont fit or any other past wheel . We dont need 16" wheels on a small truck. Gm also made the brakes to big so you cant buy after market 15" snow wheels. I bought the 4cly with a 6 speed auto thought Id get better mileage then my 92s 4.3v6 and 4 speed auto but its the same with less power. My biggest complaint is the height

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  A Horrible Experience! - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Turan Kul - April 11 - 12:10 pm

  This V6 Envoy turns out to be a lemon! From the beginning it had that terrible engine smell. My 3 year old goes promplty to sleep within minutes during the ride. However, we were alarmed about the noisy brakes, oil leaks & being a gas guzzler! (The old rental uses much less gas and has smooth brakes!) We took it to a shop and found out about the AC leakage. Probably thats why my son always ends up sleeping! The mechanic had to order a big part from GMC - I think its the transmission. Hell fix the gas guzzling problem too! However, Im afraid to be in this vehicle. I wanted a refund or a new vehicle.

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  my story - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By sue smith - February 1 - 2:00 am

  at first the vehicle was supurb. after time and almost three years later the little things are starting to fall apart. From the beginning I have had to have most everything replaced from the seatbelts to rear wiper hose. I was very upset since this was a vrand new very expensive vehicle.

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  body frame rust very bad - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By jorge - January 29 - 4:44 pm

  body frame rust really bad my is a 2006 and is really rusty cheap material