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 Truck! - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By trobin5526 - March 28 - 9:54 am

  We picked up the Denali based on a special price we could not pass up. It replaced our 2001 Tahoe Z71. No comparison. It has been great so far, for the power and features the fuel consumption is reasonable(16.5 mpg) in mixed driving. Thoroughly impressed at this point!

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  Bought Domestic - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Norman Wachtel - March 27 - 12:53 pm

  After 15 years of swearing off US made Im back. Much improved quality but I have warranty work to be done that was apparent when I drove it off the lot and did not with makes from Japan, Germany, or Korea. So still room for improvement. Love the truck and my wife would rather go in it than her SL550 or my Equus

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  It Seems Like a Keeper - 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By JCM - March 27 - 12:43 pm

  I just bought a 2009 GM 2500 with the Duramax/Allison combo. Been with Ford all my driving life. So far, a great truck. Excellent power, very quiet and greater than 20 mpg on highway when unloaded. Seems tightly made. 2008 F250 previously; a great truck but physically too large for my needs. GMC offers similar towing performance, better mileage so far and a better ride in a physically smaller package-- with diesel power. Overall, I think the GMC offering is the top overall in the 2500/250 line for daily use/driving. I was not impressed with Dodge quality; my Ford was great but meant for wide open, all day towing. GMC offered the best package with the fewest comprimises. Very happy so far.

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  Service 4WD Light - 1999 GMC Sierra 2500
  By cw4915e - March 27 - 5:03 am

  4WD light comes on intermittently lately. Poor troubleshooting procedures from a Chilton manual led me to replace the front diff actuator motor. Seems the real culprit is a sticky selector switch. Humidity may be affecting this switch, apparently the resistors are shot for each position and loses ability to keep voltage signal to transfer case module. Original battery lasted 6 years so that was awesome to get over 6 years from a battery. Also developed a leak at the front differential. First thought it was the output seal but ended up being the plastic vent cap that screws into the diff.

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  Wind Noise - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By colorado nurse - March 26 - 10:25 pm

  I have owned this vehicle for 6 months now. I have returned it to the dealership 3 times with complaints of excessive wind noise on the driver side. No matter what is done to it, it seems the noise level increases. I have been told that this is an inherent quality of large mirrors. I traded my Yukon Denali with large mirrors. I did not have this problem with the Yukon. I would like to know if other owners of this vehicle are having the same issue. I am at wits end! PS- What happened to a courtesy light under the hood and in the glove compartment?

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  Good Buy / Low resale - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By JR - March 25 - 12:10 am

  The only complaint I have with this vehicle is the passenger seat. It squeaks while driving. I had the dealer take a look at it and they repaired it for a little and it is back. I have not had anyone over 230 lbs in this chair and it will do it with no load in the chair.

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  GMC 2500 HD/ Durmax Diesel - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By tabinmn - March 24 - 10:00 am

  I appreciate the diverse choices when purchasing vehicles but choose to pick GM d/t the ability to find anything from fast sports cars, Corvette, to tough Durmax Diesel. The current Vehicle of choice is as described above and I wouldnt tow w/out the performance of the GMC Sierra 2500 HD Durmax Diesel. Not only does the beautifully engineered design look great driving down the highway but also performs outstanding w/absolutely no problems. This is my 3rd Duramax and would recommend it to any serious driver that needs a truck w/towing capacity. Not to mention gas milege...what truck of this capacity can get

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  7 years of great service - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By Jay - March 24 - 6:26 am

  We bought our 98 Burb in 2000 w/59000 miles, getting out of a poor quality Chrysler minivan. We knew what to expect as far as gas mileage but didnt as far as reliability. After countless trips back and forth to soccer games, school, 2000 mile vacations, this Burbhas never stranded us on the road and has only been in the shop twice for repair work- intake gasket and fuel pump. The only reason were selling it is because one of my children is getting ready to drive, so were downsizing. Except for the 14 mpg around town, this Burb has been as dependable as any Toyota or Honda!

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  Acadia Lives in Repair Shop - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By rlitton - March 22 - 3:16 pm

  Loved the car when we bought it. Good features overall but not as good as the Caddy I traded. Then the nightmare begins. the car has been in the shop for a total of 14 days on 3 occasions and is currently still there. A few problems that are not minor. 1. transmission leak, dealer did not have parts to repair and had to order. Mechanic broke the spindle nut putting it back together, and dealer did not have the part took days to get. 2. leaking rear shock and bad spring bushing, you guessed it, dealer did not have parts. 3. rear wheels out of alignment from factory wore tires to cord before discovered. shop says came from factory out of alignment. really frustrated with the vehicle. might have a lemon on my hands. One positive is the dealer has been very good to work with so far. going to contact GMC for a meeting with their rep.

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  Dont Waste Your Money - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Fred - March 22 - 2:06 am

  Cab is too Skinny. Accelerator and brake pedal are too close together. Seats are too Skinny foam too soft compresss and hurts to sit on, after @ 3k-4k miles. Cab entrance is too low I Bumped my head getting in I am 6ft tall. Too Much Sun Glare windshield hard to clean on inside. Brake Noise. Wind Noise. Stump Clunk, not fixable by GM Techs Fuel tank sloshes @ 3/4 to full tank. I can feel a thump from fuel sloshing. Cabin area is much smaller than Ford or Dodge. Seats are very uncomfortable after driving for awhile. Tires spin on wet pavement 500 lb in bed pulling loaded trailer. No lamp under hood hard to add washer fluid or check oil after dark. TPI do not give correct reading