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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  Awesome. Wish they still made them. - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By ChadneyG5 - April 23 - 11:54 pm

  I bought this truck new. I drive it every day & have ridden it hard with frequent off-roading and towing. It has had almost no problems. I now have 130k miles on it (in 2010) & it runs like new. Other than regular maintenance, Ive only had to replace the fuel pump & water pump. There is a door hinge pin that is a design flaw that must be replaced approx. every 100k mi. for $40. Ive owned 3 Toyota trucks previously and got this because of the 0% 60mo. financing. None of my Toyotas ran this well for so long, with such comfort. The MPG was about the same. I average 16-18.

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  Great Over the Long Haul - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Locomotion - April 22 - 7:23 am

  We got our Suburban in 2001, it had low mileage and was in great shape. It has brought us across the country and everywhere else we wanted to go. It has been a wonderful truck. Itll haul the whole family comfortably. Maintenance wise, the only big problem weve had was the coolinbg system disaster when a different type of coolant caused the intake gaskets to decompose. Changed that and it was back on the road. The only negative Ive seen is the design for home repairmen. It could have been designed for easier repair for the do-it- yourselfer! The price of gas is causing us to consider trading or selling to buy a smaller truck, but outside of that its the best truck on the road.

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  Love all but seats/headrests - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Jeff - April 12 - 4:26 pm

  My wife and I traded our 2000 4Runner for the 2010 Acadia. 2nd row captains chairs for our kids as well as easy access to the 3rd row were two of the main selling points. We like everything about the vehicle other than the gas mileage (16.5 MPG overall with much highway driving) and the front seats. The curve of the seat along with the forward angle of the headrest make it impossible to sit comfortably. Ive tried every adjustment possible and cant get my upper back and neck to stop hurting. Kids love it. Friends love the look. The seats are the only problem.

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  New owner. - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By Slide81 - April 11 - 3:24 pm

  So far this has been a wonderful truck. The ride is smooth, acceleration is smooth, shifts are firm, lights at night on the outside are excellent. Gas mileage isnt horrible either, first tank, I averaged 20.13 mpg with rural/city driving [45 mph-55 mph] and the occasional passing gear stomp.

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  Towable 4WD/Automatic - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By garebear - April 8 - 1:33 am

  Edmunds and several other experts rate the GMC Canyon lower than its competitors. They overlook one important aspect. It is towable flat. You cannot tow a Toyota, Honda, Dodge or Mazda automatic flat. This is important when you want to tow a 4wd/auto truck behind a motor home. Only the GMC or its companion, the Chevy Colorado in a midsized pickup has the advantage of a neutral switch. Drop the tranny into neutral and away you go.

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  Great Everyday SUV - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By Chadthehammer - April 3 - 11:49 am

  Im 20 years old and I Have worked construction throwing a wheel barrel in the back just putting the seats down, storing my fishing poles beside my tools, helped plenty of friends move a few things like small dressers and televisions, Camping is fun especially when dealing with the muddy and dirt roads just putting it in 4WD. and now being a Sales man I use it to transport packages and when Im running a little late I like the option of just driving up onto a sidewalk or off road or squeezing between some small areas to maneuver around heavy congestion and traffic. I love it and the few repairs to the bushings, tires, and some electronics were worth it.

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  Great SUV, Poor fuel economy - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By qantor - March 30 - 9:46 pm

  Its kind of a mix feeling. Really like this SUV, but when I see the not so good 19 mpg (city) Im getting then Im less happy with my purchase. And I must say that this “mpg” Im getting is by applying an Ultra-low pressure on the gas pedal...so low that my feet is nearly shaking, imagine the mpg I would get with normal pressure on the gas pedal. I’m really afraid this summer when I’ll have to push the A/C button... My wife Jeep Compass has way better fuel economy with her "aggressive" driving style.

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  Looks nice but many issues - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By bwhite - March 24 - 4:45 pm

  When I first saw and drove the Acadia, all seemed great. The first year was great, but soon after nagging issues started to appear. The most serious being the transmission. I seems sluggish with no power when trying to accelerate. I has been to the dealer several times, with them always saying that they could find nothing wrong. In fact its in the shop right now with "NOTHING FOUND". We also had a mysterious oil leak that took 4 trips to solve. They are usually nice at the dealer but I still drive away with a unreliable car.

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  Love it! - 2008 GMC Yukon
  By Misty S - March 23 - 3:03 pm

  Best vehicle I have owned. Used to love to trade quite frequently, but not anymore. I love my Denali. Gas mileage isnt the greatest but its a big SUV. What can you expect?

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  Nothing but problems - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By emelton - March 23 - 2:50 pm

  I have a 2002 Envoy SLT beautiful with all the bells and whistles. I have had nothing but problems since I purchased the truck in 2004 with 30k miles. It has been at the dealership 18 times in the last 3 years. I am finally getting it fixed for the last time to trade it off. So many problems too many to mention. It has been a money pit for me.