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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  A Decent Truck With a Poor Drivetrain - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Kevin H - January 10 - 5:33 am

  This is a decent truck, but NOT with the 6.0 and GM 6 speed. You HAVE to get the Duramax if you need a 3/4 ton truck. The gas motor with fly by wire throttle, and GM 6 speed, is a horrible combination. It is a death trap when trying to merge with traffic, especially in conditions when you are on and off the throttle. There is up to a 3-4 second lag where absolutely no throttle input is given to the engine, no matter how hard you press on the accelerator. I believe GM implemented this so their tranny wouldnt explode. The engine and tranny computer work together, and the tranny computer tells the engine computer to not give any throttle until the tranny is ready (it never is).

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  Think twice! - 2016 GMC Yukon XL
  By Caleb Rutledge - January 3 - 12:38 am

  We bought this vehicle because we love the yukon Denalis. We replaced a 2009 Denali. Unfortunatly the price does not reflect the quality. We paid just under $85,000 out the door for our loaded Denali XL. We knew going in that there could be transmission problems because of other reviews. What we didnt know is that everything in this vehicle is cheaply made. It shows nice but is only "skin deep", and it has very thin skin. We are very disappointed in almost ever aspect of this vehicle, when you pay $85k for a vehicle you have certin expectations. It is on its way back to the dealership for its 3rd warranty work, on the engine ( same 6.2 from 2007-2014 ) we dont even mention the deterioating leather and low quality of materials to thhe dealer. Oh and the Yukon only has 21,000 miles so far. We are planning on selling it at this point, probably go to Toyota, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz for quality, GMC isnt cutting it for the price tag they want.

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  Not a Yota - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By Wtxunit33 - December 31 - 5:34 pm

  Always owned Toyotas bought this because it was cheap, and had a lot of power out of the 4 cylinder. Motor is weak, unless heavily gouged. A lot of cheap features inside, check engine light comes on all the time, cheap plastic bumper cracked and fell off. Seat in uncomfortable at best. Lot of cab room but the cheap interior kinds of kills that

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  Good luck - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Randy - December 29 - 10:33 pm

  I have always had good luck with my GM cars and trucks. Not sure if I got a lemon or what. I bought the Jimmy for my wife. In the past 6 months I have replaced the rear end, followed the next month by the transmission and two weeks later a fuel pump. Needless to say none of it was cheap. The door locks have stopped working. The drivers side window sometimes works and sometimes doesnt. Now you have to turn the key on and off twice to get it to start. The Jimmy has pretty much been a disappointment and a money pit. I could understand if the car was driven hard but we live in the city. Its used to pick up the kids and in town use.

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  Dont Bother To Buy - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Mel-KS - December 29 - 5:52 pm

  This vehicle has the transmission problems of previous models. Ours had 3600 miles when it died in the middle of a busy highway. Towed to a dealership, and the dealership was unable to figure out what was wrong with the vehicle after nearly four days. GMC absolutely no help and not willing to honor the warranty or have the vehicle brought back to us since it died more than 350 miles from our home. Best they would do is provide a crappy rental car. I would avoid this vehicle--when GMC goes under, youll be stuck with a money pit your mechanic will love.

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  Here we go - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By miladyelaine - December 23 - 4:20 am

  Well, I must have gotten a GMC super lemon. I picked it up with 10 k miles and thought I was in heaven. But the the honeymoon didnt last long. After 30k, we had replaced both front hubs and the 4wd decoder motor. After 60k, another set of hubs. 90k, transmission, fuel pump, and serp. belt at least twice a year. Two days ago, the fuel pump went again. By the way, make sure you change the engine coolant on mfrs schedule, or you are in for a nightmare! Great ride but this vehicle will dip deep into your pockets. The only guarantee on this car is that every trip to the garage is going to cost you at least $1,000, and you can bank on four to six trips per year.

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  Poor Quality Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Darin Peratalo - December 22 - 4:26 am

  This truck has been in the shop more times than my 3 other trucks total.The transmission has been out of the truck 6 different times for different problems. The front wheel bearings have been replaced. The brakes & rotors have been replaced twice. Torque converter has been replaced & still vibrates through the gas pedal at 56 mph. All in less than 46000 miles. I do not pull anything. Even GM just blew me off. I should have pushed the lemon law.

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  0 to 60 in a week - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By lauren billagio - December 15 - 10:40 am

  Buy a six cylinder. This is a bad ass looking vehicle but the four cylinder doesnt cut it. When merging onto the freeway and pressing the gas pedal firmly it makes all of the right sounds but doesnt actually do anything. I am disappointed in that. The test drive was in a semi-congested city setting where pep doesnt matter so it was wasnt noticed. It also has a fairly wide turning radius which surprised me. I traded a Honda Pilot in for this Terrain. The Pilot was much larger but had a smaller turning radius. As much as I like the looks of this car I rate drivability low. The interior is appointed fairly well and everything is easy to work but the lack of pep distracts from that. The seat are comfortable on long rides. It is a great vehicle for driving around town but isnt really a joy on the freeway.

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  Sleep on it a few weeks first! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By kerry - December 8 - 2:32 pm

  Looks great on the outside. The interior quality of the dash, seats, & doors, door handles, etc. was a letdown. Visibility out of rear window not great, you wont see a small car on your bumper. Sensors and backup monitor a must. Having to upgrade better quality leather seats, CD player, & install backup monitor due to visibility issues just two weeks after purchase.

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  gmc blues - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By sad owner - November 27 - 10:00 am

  I have a love hate relationship with this truck. I love the looks and performance when it is running correctly but it only rarely runs correctly. Recalls out the gazoo...troubles not recalled to go along with them. Abs kicks in uncalled for, clunk in rear end, shakes, hesitations, misfires, BOTH windows falling into the doors, squealing fuel pump..dealer said "your lucky it aint worse"...many problems in the 99 model that shouldnt be for a SLT Ext Cab Z71 that cost $32000