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 Crossover - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Scott - September 14 - 8:23 pm

  I looked at several different CUVs and SUVs and none had the interior refinement or power and economy as the Acadia. Great product.

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  Full sized family of 6 fits comfortably - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Grown up family of 6 - September 14 - 4:26 am

  Just bought. You should go look at car if you have a growing family.The car has standard bucket seats(credit if you want bench) The third seat is removable and the middle row moves foward and back. Adults comfortable in 3rd row. The pricing is like shopping for a Honda. You do not have to pay for all those extra options.They have FD and AWD. It is decieving from the outside and roomy inside. I love it. I also know it is first year out but it has everything I want in a luxury car without the price. Great Job GMC on your crossover. So far good gas mileage . Have not truly broken in yet. Still under the 500 mark.

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  Driving in Comfort - 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
  By tomerikac - September 8 - 11:05 pm

  I drove full size pickups for over 25 years then, due to marriage, started driving small cars/minivans for 5 years. Upon retirement, decided to go back to a full size pickup. Found this two yr. old 2012 ext. cab. 5.3l, 6-speed, 20" wheels, chromed out, tonneau, dual exhaust, bed liner, led lights, 16k miles for only $22.9k. Bought it from a 70 yr. old retiree. True, we would all love better gas mileage, but now that Im retired and driving less miles per year, I love driving this truck. Has been trouble free and very dependable. My young kids love it, too. Im hoping to drive this thing off into the sunset, or until my wife/kids tell me that Im just too old to drive.

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  Great Vehicle If You Need Big - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By gatescrash - September 2 - 3:10 am

  Bought new as 03 leftover in Jan 2004, Had an issue with the AC leaking out and it took a few trips to the dealer to fix, but I blame the dealer for so many trips as they should have fixed in 1 or 2 trips, not 4. As far as big SUVs go this is one of the best. Ride comfort is great, plenty of room for camping, skiing, etc equipment. It tows an 18 foot bass boat like its not even there and thats with just the 5.3 in it. Id buy another one in the future but we only put 9K on this one per year so Ive go a few years of use left in the old girl. Its a heavy vehicle so youll replace brake pads around 50K and the e-brake drum rusts out so you end up replacing the rear drums, so use them ofte

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  truck rating - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By dreamhour56 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  this is the first truck i have bought, i wish i had done this long ago. i have the smooth ride sus. it rides like a big car, handling is great, more than enough power. i have the short bed.

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  The Real SUV - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By Giovanni Perlloni - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Yukon and her cousin Suburban make you fell like the King of the road.Fun to drive, great suspension and powerfull engine are the weapons in the battle, and Yukon and Suburban are the winners!

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  Falling in Love...with a pickup - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By smokchasr - August 27 - 12:06 pm

  The fuel economy is as advertised. Switching to four-cylinders when cruising has yielded an average of 20- 22 mpg. In Montana, that is huge. We need 4x4 pickups that have this available power, comfort, and improved fuel economy for the obligatory long drives.

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  Terrain SLT2 6 cylinder - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Jimbilly - August 27 - 9:43 am

  Overall a really great vehicle. Im very proud its an American product. They have it 95% right. If GM would only give just a little more thought to the small appointments....coin holder, LED lighting, universal door opener, power passenger seat, maybe a storage drawer on the dash, sunglasses holder, make the cupholder insert removable so it can be cleaned. To GM designers: If you think people do not notice these things, you are crazy. Throw $500 more into these vehicles and give us what we want!

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  P-O-W-E-R! - 1995 GMC Sierra 1500
  By HappyTexan - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Now ive seen my fair share of powerful trucks but this is the fastest out of them all.190 horses doesnt seem like much but belive me it is.Since we bought it in late 2003 we havent had a chance to put it to the long term reliability test.Weve owned (older) chevrolets,fords,and even dodges in the past but this thing stands out from the rest of them.This thing can tow like a bat out of hell and it still lets you know what its made of.We have the Z71 package and it has an ok ride...what youd expect from a pickup of its size and since it has a three inch lift kit it compromises the ride a bit.t gets about 13/16 as a usual truck

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  my truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By wright - August 25 - 10:00 am

  The automatic dual climate control is nice, but in the auto mode...you cant seem to keep the interior as cool as you might want. The silent recall concerning the rust behind the front bumper was something I was definately unhappy about. I had to learn about it on the internet, and when I took it to two different dealers, I got a bit of the runaround. Both claimed that I had the only truck that had been brought in for this problem.