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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  Love my new Used Envoy - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By flyer1977 - July 25 - 7:33 pm

  Just a couple days old, I bought this 2008 Envoy with 65000 miles on it. I went to purchase a 2009 Chevy Equinox. Ironically both sat side by side and were the same price, yet the envoy had 20000 less miles. From the exterior, the GMC looked to be more solid of a vehicle, it doesnt have that plastic look to it like the Equinox. Test drive the transmission shifts smooth and no fear of passing on the highway. Equinox was otherwise. Gas mileage better than I expected. Last night did a 115 mile drive on the highway at 65-70 mph, got 22mpg with the air condition on. I was expecting a SUV of this size to be in the teens, its a truck no one should expect 30 mpg. So far I love it

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  Love/Hate Relationship - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By tsteinhilber - July 21 - 7:41 pm

  I spent months searching out a car that would accommodate our family, loved every aspect of the Acadia. I purchased mine used and I am the second owner of this vehicle. I have owned it for almost 3 years. My Acadia has been into the dealership 7 times since December 2011. As I read through page after page of the same complaints, I dont know if I should feel good about not being the only one or more infuriated because GMC is doing nothing to compensate their customers. The problems are repeated such as air bag, air conditioner, engine oil leak, master cylinder leak, transmission (just rebuilt this past week) and other issues related to technician errors.

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  best trucks I have ever owned - 1996 GMC Suburban
  By j_galt1 - July 19 - 12:38 pm

  i own the suburban and the extra cab long bed version of this truck and couldnt be happier. only quirk is change the fuel pump every 70k and radiator at 200k otherwise flawless and economical. I baby my trucks as a rule and get 25 m,pg out of my truck and 23-24 out of the suburban. there are plabty of smaller truck I could load in the back of mine and drive around and i would get better mileage moving them that way than just driving them. oh truck has 300k and suburban has 200 both are still strong and could drive across country with out worry

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  Like A Rock!!! - 1994 GMC Jimmy
  By kwr1990 - July 6 - 12:22 pm

  My grandparents bought my 1994 Jimmy new in 1994. It is the Automatic 4wd white with tan interior. Mine has the 4.3 Vortec CPI. It currently has 436,788 miles and have never turned a wrech to it except for maintainence. Never been rebuilt and has never let me down. It has towed everything I could hook to it and been off road more than on road. I love it, its reliable, cheap operating cost and will last you forever.

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  Decent Value in a Midsize truck. - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By sdaigle - June 29 - 7:16 am

  This is a review of regular cab "work truck" 3.7L I5 with 4-spd automatic. This truck has come in very handy with home renovations and trips to the dump. The 5cyl. engine has plenty of power and rivals competitors V6s. The 4-spd auto is very smooth. The interior is spacious and relatively comfortable, but horribly cheap in quality. Everything is hard plastic. There are ugly gaps in dash pieces. It looks poor quality. Reliability has not been all that great. The truck was purchased for a very low price, so the myriad problems are easier to swallow. I dont recommend considering this truck unless you can get a fantastic deal on one. Otherwise there are much better trucks for the money.

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  Worst "Denali" ever - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By drakers - June 28 - 2:47 pm

  I have purchased more than my share of vehicles from GMC, Pontiac, Jaguar, BMW, and Cadillac. I have determined that there are two automobiles that I have purchased new and wish I never did. One was a 2007 Jaguar XK (it was a new model of their high performance car) and the other is this Acadia “Denali”The first thing to break on the Acadia was the cheap or improper installation of the rubber pad on the foot actuated emergency brake. Then the Roof leaked due to improper installation...little things either break off or were improperly installed. Terrible QC at factory. Sluggish motor that cuts out frequently.

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  We love our 2013 Acadia Denali! - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By neohiomom - June 27 - 10:12 am

  We bought our AWD Acadia Denali in February, cashing in our GM rewards and trading in our 2010 Acura MDX. In 2010, we decided to trade our 2003 Acura MDX. We looked at our recent MDX and the Acadia, which we loved the looks of. Unfortunately, the cheap plastic interior was a deal breaker for us. We loved both MDXs, but the 3rd row was a joke and it didnt have enough cargo room for our family trips. We were thrilled to see the Acadia Denali redesigned for 2013! The interior is now on par with the MDX and while its not quite as nimble or quick, its still a lot of fun to drive. My husband and I both love this vehicle and so do the kids! Its a real eye catcher in the White Diamond, too!

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  Great SUV - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By beezer34 - June 25 - 10:46 am

  Loved the Acadia. Plenty of room for all. Smooth driving. Leased it and had no issues to report. Recommend to all

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  2008 GMC Acadia SLT2 - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By kristintemples - June 20 - 2:23 pm

  I would love to give this vehicle an outstanding review but I cant. I love everything about this vehicle except that so many owners have had transmission problems prior to 100,000 miles just months after the warranty runs out. My vehicle is sitting in my driveway after 4 months of owning it and the transmission wave plate has gone out like so many others. GMC is not taking responsibility for their defective transmissions which is costing the consumer $4,000 out of pocket and in my opinion if people have extended warranty insurance they are ripping them off as well. They know it is a crappy design or they would not have redesigned it for the newer Acadias.

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  Sunroof leaks - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By bh1008 - June 15 - 8:56 pm

  Only had our Acadia for 3 months rained all day one day while at work, on the way home water was leaking through one of the lights over the third row seats. It has been in the shop for a week now and STILL not fixed, spoke with the service manager today, and he is not sure when it will be ready. I read reviews from past model years that had some leaking problems, and apparently GMC has not fixed them yet.