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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  2000 jimmy - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By mike - March 9 - 11:39 am

  This is for all jimmy (2000) owners,that have a noise in font that knowone can find. In this model its the condenser/heater core loose in its housing. The gas gauge quits working properly because the fuel in Canada still contains a particular addative that has been removed in the US, where these fuel tank sensor where made,they get corroded in places and fail. Early failer of the front wheel bearings are do to just plain old "bad design" and low quality.

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  Not quite professional grade - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Brian - February 19 - 6:46 am

  Doors/cab seals are too tight, shouldnt have to slam the door. Only 18 mpg, not the 20 as the window sticker says. I get better gas mileage from my 98 Suburban. Knock in the steering. AC vent door noise. Front windshield not sealed correctly. Cheap radio and even cheaper speakers sound terrible. Very uncomfortable driver seat- No adjustments. Fuse box in the way of your left foot. Very disappointed in the engineering and material quality. Very little thought went into designing this truck, only profit. The whole truck is fake, proven by the fake chrome rims. I bought this truck planning to keep it 10+ years, now I cant wait to get rid of it, ASAP.

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  me again - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By jeffhall - February 15 - 2:36 pm

  well 2008 gmc half ton 4x4 seirra. "heck i really dont know where to begin . it seems this truck looks good but i have had uncountable troble with it it has now 46914 miles and last night it was on the record being towed to the dealership becouse the locking diff engage coming out of my garssy back yard with a slight incline. and try alot of things to disingage the locking diff and i just didnt get it to disengage. anyways ..heres what ive had problems withother than what i just mentioned . flashes from under truck while driving, blinkers , tail lights fogging up, battery leaking all over the underhood side, gadges doing weird stuff, light display correctly, "ran out of space to keep typing.

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  Shoulda kept my FORD - 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
  By Bob Sutliff - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Truck looks great! Fuel mileage (non towing) is not bad for a ton dually at 13 mpg. Towing is another story. Six (6) miles per gallon is the average for this 6.0L engine. Tow mileage is terrible and the truck is at its maximum performance on the interstate at 70mph. It absolutely has no power left.

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  The good and bad - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By bbrooks - February 11 - 7:43 pm

  Pros: Good Space and Featurues. Seats 7 Remote Start Heads up Display Drives well - After the transmission recall to adjust the shifting. Cons: Bad Sunroof! They have had severe problems with them leaking. I took mine back 4 times and it still leaked. Even after the GM recall work. They gave me a rental car and the rental person told me I was the 3rd leaking Acadia rental that week. Leather - Not as good as competitors. Doesnt wear well. Chrome Interior - Can blind you if the sun hits it right.

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  Beware the Acadia, you will be sorry - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By tarheelrebel - February 4 - 6:03 pm

  We bought the Acadia after several good runs with the Yukon and Suburban vehicles. It is attractive and has ample room inside. But the FLAWS, my God. Cruise control failure in a module that kills the tail lights sun roof leaks that short out the electrical systems cheap PLASTIC everywhere inside. Poor visibility for parking front and rear. Ours has been in and out of the dealership MANY times total time in shop in excess of 26 days since brand new. Not only can we NOT recommend an Acadia, we likely will never again purchase from GMC. Very little assistance from the base level to the top there is a REASON GM is going BROKE--they are cranking out JUNK. Thousands of Acadias on lots.

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  piece o crap - 1996 GMC Safari
  By jldude - February 2 - 7:20 pm

  i paid 3000 dollars for mine in 2006, since then ive put almost 3000 into keeping it running. 1 cooling fan, 2 alternators, 1 fuel pump, 1 fuel filter, 1 fuel line, 4 new tires, brakes(all of them), two window motors, 1 windshield wiper motor, 2 starters, and 1 right front ball axle joint. the cigarette lighter is broken, a/c has major leak(doesnt work), locks freeze easy in the winter(ohio), rear defrost and heat dont work, rear door handle broke and doesnt latch shut. no way would i ever tell anyone to consider buying this van, in fact if you see one on the road look away, chances are something might go wrong on Your car!

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  Double edged sword - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Andy - January 25 - 3:47 pm

  Bought it in 2001 with 64K. Now has 311K. Wheel bearings replaced twice. Ball joints and front end done. Head gasket blew at 100K. Brakes yearly. Fuel pump. Major valve job. Alternators every 18 months. New battery every 3 years. Fantastic to drive, (live in Western Canada) Horrible to maintain. The double edged is that it does what its supposed to but at high maintenance. Rear wiper motor is absolute rubbish. Shocks are on their way out. Put the best tyres you can afford on it and it stays on the road in the worst conditions. Gas mileage leaves something to be desired.

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  Another Love/Hate realationship - 1997 GMC Safari
  By Ozzmier - January 23 - 5:39 am

  When I bought my Safari it had 45,000 miles on it. Around 130,000 my brakes finally wore down and I got new ones. Around 140,000 miles my power steering pump blew and I bought a new one. Around 145,000 miles my a/c and heat stopped working with the exception of a warm defrost. The 2nd heat censor blew. Then, around 160,000 my fuel pump died on me. Now it is sitting in my driveway waiting for a new coil because that blew about 3 days ago ( 173,000 miles). It has been a workhorse, a family vehicle and more. I love the Safari, and until 130,000 miles it never failed me. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested. As long as you keep it maintained as you would expect from any verhicle.

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  Loved it at first, now not so sure! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By gina - January 16 - 9:35 pm

  We have had our Acadia 1 year. We have an engine noise that cant be fixed. Dealership has changed motor mounts, air conditioner compressors, drained oil from the new air conditioner compressor and still the noise is present. The car used to accelerate great but now you must floor it to get the car to go anywhere. Seriously GMC, a brand new car should not be in the repair shop for 17 days in 1 month! We are going to either just cut our losses and eat the fact that the car depreciated $16K in 1 calender year or try our chances with the lemon law. I knew we should not have bought American! Never again GMC!