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 engine - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By chris - August 9 - 10:53 pm

  I have to admit i have had issues with this vehicle. If you are looking to buy this car find out if the radiator has been replaced. These vehicles used Dexcool 3 when they first came out, it was issues so it will have or will rust out your radiator. I did a few different flushes on mine. I did have to replace the water pump, alternator, starter, and fuel pump. The fuel pump came at about 150,000 mile for me though. Keep and mind the drivers side door has issues, if you find a good body shop they will fix it for about $100. The Engine is awesome has always run like a champ for me considering i used this vehicle to deliver pizza. Overall it is a good buy and a safe SUV. I sold mine for $800 to a friend and it is still running with over 176,000 miles on it. As much as i enjoyed having this vehicle i cant give it 5 stars knowing all that was done to it, luckily for me i have a good mechanic and he doesnt charge an arm and a leg for repairs.

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  Major Problems - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By jfullersf - April 20 - 10:35 pm

  Yukon is comfortable and exactly what I wanted. Tons of room, drives great, exactly like a $75,000 SUV should. But I have had constant issues since I purchased it. Most recent was the full replacement of the engine at 22,500 miles and 10 months of ownership. Ive had seat issues, popping in steering wheel, loud wind noise coming from the sun roof. The 4 wheel drive system has had 3 issues and a recall since I owned it. The gauges stopped working, the steps get stuck. GM hasnt taken ownership that I have a lemon and this car needs to be bought back or replaced. Ive owned 2 other Yukon Denalis and this has been the only one that Ive ever had problems with.

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  Lemon in the making - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ericdm33 - April 2 - 10:33 am

  I was really looking forward to owning this vehicle when I purchased it. Now just 5 years and 70k miles in, Im currently dealing with my 3rd breakdown. This was my first American built vehicle ever, and it may very well be my last.

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  Lemon many times over - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By jjh92212 - March 17 - 6:30 pm

  I am not usually one to write reviews on vehicles, and I find it ironically funny that many people have the same complaints about their GMC Acadia that I do. I purchased this vehicle on a "deal" which I should have never done. Now looking back on it, the 2007 was probably the worse year for this vehicle. I have already replaced my transmission, the power steering has gone, had to weld the exhaust twice, and also had the rear-windshield washer hose leak all over the fuse box causing the entire vehicle to short out basically. So I laugh at people who write dont believe the reviews..... Well... you are wrong my friend. This vehicle should have been pulled off the market many times over!

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  wont buy another one - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By joey72 - March 12 - 4:22 pm

  We paid over $65,000 for this beast and was happy with it for a while. Tranny slipped and brakes slipped none of which the dealer could duplicate. We serviced it regularly and waxed it every 6 months and garaged daily. In August of 2014, the Denali had to be outside at night but was waxed in that month. December I noticed that the paint was getting weird on the top and front engine cover. I tried to wax it off to no avail and reported it to the dealer. He gave me the GMC reps name and number but never heard back from my message to him. It is now March and when I finally spoke to him in February, he said he would report it but it would not likely be taken care of. I will not buy GMC.

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  cute car but unreliable with ongoing issues - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By aestabrook - March 7 - 12:48 pm

  I purchased this car new in 2010. within 6 months there was trouble. oil issues, check engine light with no real causes, throttle body replacement, stalling on the highway, stalling on side roads, general unreliability. I have been towed into the dealer 9 times since purchase for dying on the side of some road. It burns oil for no reason. GMC and dealer just say too bad, and tell me to check it every 1000 miles between oil changes. I typically add between 1 to 2.5 quarts every 1500 miles. The car is comfortable, and spacious for having two car seats in it, BUT that comfort does not outweight its ongoin challenges. I would get rid of it if i had the money to.

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  Dealer has had our car longer than we have - 2014 GMC Acadia
  By mmww328 - January 11 - 6:45 pm

  We bought our car and we decided to take ownership even though the ground effects were installed wrong and the blind spot and FCA system were not working. Big mistake - the car is still not working right. Also I would have expected a bit more giddy up and go.... its kind of a dog when it comes to off the line performance.

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  Cheap Door Actuators and Handles - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By jadams8 - December 15 - 2:27 pm

  This will be the 3rd door actuator that has gone bad in less than 2 years on my 2008 GMC Denali. First the drivers door went bad then it was the passenger rear door and now it is the rear hatch actuator. I have received lies about the price by calling 2 different parts departments. I called one in Gainesville and one in Louisiana and the one in Louisiana quoted me 300.00 less than the Gainesville area.

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  meh - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By ghostface2009 - November 14 - 6:01 pm

  My wifes vehicle, she likes it, its safe and good in snow with AWD, looks nice, lots of interior room, etc. Im a little more picky - gas mileage pretty bad, the head rest leans too far forward, so not comfortable for me in drivers seat, and at 58K we had to get the timing cover resealed because it was leaking oil. Luckily, covered under powertrain warranty so did not cost me a penny. Also, very minor, but the rubber footing on the emergency brake popped off. I popped it back on and its been fine ever since. I have a 2005 Camry with 270K miles and no issues (knock on wood). Starting to worry about this vehicles longevity, dont think it will hold up as well as the Camry.

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  Four cylinder engine - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By hydiesel - October 6 - 4:09 pm

  I have owned two four cylinders. 2010 30,000 miles engine replaced using excessive oil. 2012 at 32000 miles engine rebuilt (was told they didnt replace them any more ) I dont think GM knows how to build a good four cylinder. I am driving a gas guzzling V6, hope it can go past the dreaded 30,000 mile mark.