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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  So much trouble - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By smgarcia - June 1 - 5:24 pm

  This car looks great. The interior features are wonderful. The gas mileage is even good. I have had 3 air conditioning repairs, transmission trouble, sunroof leaks, an air intake valve broke and required major engine work, multiple overheating issues, a failed water pump, intermittent Stabilitrack error messages for no reason, the navigation DVD wont read more than half the time, drivers seat has developed an annoying squeak, and there is something rolling around under the floor board that shifts from side to side when you turn. I cannot wait to get rid of this car I otherwise love. Im almost crazy enough to say Id get another one. Doesnt qualify for Lemon Law.

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  Hang On - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Schiebs - May 25 - 11:25 am

  I have read several reviews related to the vehicle rolling while in gear and this seems to be an issue with many reviewers. I grew up driving a stick, so I can deal with it, but it doesnt seem right that an automatic should roll free while in gear, even on a slight incline. The vehicle also rolls forward or backward up to 12 inches when removing your foot from the brake after putting the vehicle in park when on an incline. The driver has to be sure to ease off the brake until the vehicle comes to rest before passengers exit to void being knocked off balance when the vehicle rolls back hard. My dealer has told me "thats normal." Doesnt seem right to me.

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  Good, but thirsty - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By wnydad - May 17 - 9:17 pm

  07 Acadia has been a solid perfomer for three years. Awful, awful gas mileage, but all else pretty good. Can be a bit truckish slightly smaller wheels might make it more refined, but probably not GMCs plan. Planning to trade down to a smaller size vehicle - the cost premium is just too much for the third row compared to the outstanding smaller vehicles available.

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  Broke right from the start - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By akwalt - May 14 - 11:22 pm

  We orderd the car so it would be to our specs. When it arrived after a wait of 90 days it was what we expected On the way home we recognized a loud wind noise from the sunroof. After getting home and inspecting the sunroofwe see it was not fit right. In fact if we would left it that way water would be entering the car on a rainy day. Next day we went to the dealer and he tried to fix the problem. That did not work and he immideatly ordered the parts to fix it.That was on April 15th on to this day ( May 14th) the parts are not available to the dealer. He would like to fix my problem but GMC rather sells cars than fixing their mistakes.Really? Might be the last GM product i buy.

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  What once was, California ruined - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Lar - May 7 - 6:12 pm

  I purchased my black beauty, SLS crew with 50 miles on it. I never had a moments problem with it, until I moved to California. The gas destroyed my engine. From 25 hwy/18.5 city to 14.5 hwy/12.5 city. In 9 months. The roads are so crappy they shook the speakers off their mounts and the asphalt ripped up my tires. They were pristine at 15,000 and needed replacing when I traded it in at 25,000 in 2006. It broke my heart to let it go but I couldnt afford whatever would happen next. Sparkplugs, EPA accessories, hoses, and belts were all replaced at 23,000, but the MPG didnt recover. WARNING!! Dont bring a midwest vehicle to California, sell it and buy one made for out here.

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  Yukon Opinon - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By GM Opinion - May 6 - 4:42 pm

  Ive own this Denali for four years, and I give it high marks on almost everything. Ive also own a Ford Expedition and Toyotas Sequioa, and all have good and bad traits. Denali has the best motor, driver comfort, convenience options, and the reliablility has been great. The back seats suck for adult comfort, but my small kids like the captains chairs. The cheaply made front dash and instrument panel peel away. The dash and skweaky door panels are irritating enough to shop at Toyota or Ford next time. The space behind the third seat is stupidly small, and needs to be big enough for a cooler and a couple luggage bags.

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  Great Car - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Carlton - April 29 - 2:08 am

  I bought this car in 2001 with 80,000 miles on it. It has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever had. I am so impressed with the Suburban, that I wax it once a month. I now have 237,000 miles and it still runs like a champ! Believe me, I got a great car!

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  good vehicle - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By dave - April 28 - 10:49 am

  Very funny to read comments from those suckers who have been getting ripped off from shady mechanics and blaming GM. 3 waterpumps and you blame GM ? They were garbage aftermarket parts. And ball joints ... get good ones that can be greased and have oil change people lube them -its called maintenence.Your mechanic uses garbage parts and charges you top $ and its GMs fault ??.. get a clue. Yes you have 125,000 miles and need to get repairs - big surprise. Quit getting ripped off, spend the time to find an honest mechanic -many of you sure dont know one. This is a decent , fun 4 wheel dr that goes great through snow. Love mine.

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  extremely disappointed - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By norma mercado - April 26 - 10:04 am

  i purchased my 2007 Acadia in feb. of 2010. granted it was a used car but had less than 30,000 miles. earlier this month the buttons on my radio stopped working. so now i have a cd i cant get out and if i want to change stations i have to use the dial. but the most serious was just this weekend when my car for no reason would just turn off in the middle of a busy street at a light at night when my kids were in the car with me. i was afraid some one was going to slam into me from behind when my car turned off and would start back up. after several trys it did only to turn off at another light. then it is making this weird noise and givind me messages having to do with my traction control.

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  Served its purpose - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By CCfella - April 24 - 4:48 pm

  I bought this truck off a 3 year lease and have put 90K miles on it with little problems. I had to replace the alternator and the U-joint, but the engine and tranny have been reliable. It also has a little more road noise than Id like. However, these complaints are minimal compared to the reliability and good gas milage it gets (28 miles/gallon).