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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  Not Bad for 125,000 miles - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By scott45 - November 21 - 12:01 am

  Call me crazy but I bought a 2002 Denali with 120,000 miles on it. I have had it for two months (5000 miles) and am very pleased. I would have never thought to buy a vehicle with that many miles but the previous owner took exceptional care of this car. The ride is very nice although if the road is bumpy so is the ride. The performance is outstanding. It flat out moves when you give it the gas. My biggest complaint is that the front seat doesnt quite go back far enough. The mileage is at 16 mpg with about 50/50 driving. The cars transmission was rebuilt at 110,000 miles. My mechanic said it was one of the nicest cars he has seen with that high of mileage. Inside and out.

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  Long Time Owner - 1998 GMC Suburban
  By Marshall - November 20 - 8:04 pm

  Bought vehicle in 11/97, and have driven over 297,000 miles. Original transmission lasted 207,000. Have replaced just about everything (except engine) several times. Worst experience involved the fuel pump... after replacing 3 times in 12 months, discovered the fuel harness underneath vehicle had a nick (from a rock?), and when it bumped metal it would burn the pump up. Needless to say, our family of 5 have loved the Suburban, and would definitely purchase another.

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  Top Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Chazz - November 19 - 8:46 am

  When I first purchased this truck I thought it was the smothest riding and best handling 4x4 I had ever driven. (Wife has purchased a Yukon 4x4 and it is even smoother riding) It has spent a good deal of time off road. I do not get rough or overly abusive, mostly steep hills, sand, mud under 6-8 inches and a little rock crawling. If yours does not have the locking rear differential it is worth the money. I am sure it has saved me more in tow services than it costs to have installed. I have not had any serious mechanical failures, I did have a u- joint start chirping on me after a week in the hills of western South Dakota. The truck has about 50,000 miles on it and gets serviced regularly.

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  MPG Explained - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Victor G - November 16 - 12:02 pm

  Acadia can archive 30-35 MPG under certain conditions, but in city driving it gets 10-15 MPG only. In 1st week of owning I found it has 2 driving modes: power and efficiency. Efficiency is activated only when cruse control is ON, otherwise it is in hungry power mode with loud engine noise, feels like driving a truck, but after a week you stop noticing noise. In cruse control transmission shifts into higher gear to keep engine at 1500RPM (2000RPM at 65mph), and ODBII scanner shows instant MPG 35+ at 40mph, 30MPG at 65mph and slightly less at higher speed. With cruse control off on the same road it shifts into lower gear, RPM increases to 2000, engine noise gets louder and MPG drops 50%.

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  Yukon XL - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By Jnicho - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I have really enjoyed my GMC Yukon XL. Amazing amount of space AND it is a great hiway cruiser. We leave the Honda at home for all trips. Engine is strong for all ski trips. Could be more innovative on interior appointments and design.

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  Comfy truck - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By lynctod - November 15 - 6:16 am

  Im used to GMs full-sized trucks, owning a pair of pickups in the past (a 97 and 01 model). Knowing that the cabin is the same foreward of the driver seat of the 01, I wasnt expecting much of a change, but it really is much more comfy - probably due more to the suspension than anything. The seats even feel better than my 01 Silverado. The 6.0 is a MUCH better engine than the 5.3 or the 350, as it feels much stronger while being even more smooth.

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  loved it, now just like it - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By LAE - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Envoy SLT in Jan 2002. It is loaded. We really shopped around and I liked the looks and ride of it the best. It is a real fun car to drive and handles well. Have almost 7k miles with a few problems and holding my breath. Love the seat recall as my husband is taller than me, Bose system is great! Like the dash, very functional.Smoothest ride around.Turning radius is great.

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  Starting problem - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Dan Charron - November 10 - 9:18 am

  I do not know if there is a recall on the ignition.I turn the key and all gauges on the cluster go crazy.I got to turn the key to off and keep on trying until it catches then its good to start. Also i had to replace all seals in the rear-end,some how water got in it with the other owner and around later November of 08 i started to hear a loud noise,i took it to the garage and they found i nice chunk of ice the belly of the rear-end. It cost me $1200.00 to replace all seals.I had to change both front wheel bearings and a left tie-rod at 89,000KM. I love my Envoy but they are very costly to repair..

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  Love the Denali but not the Mileage - 2008 GMC Envoy
  By vallywally - November 8 - 8:47 pm

  Hwy mpg is OK but city mpg is very poor. The seat belt cuts into my neck and needs to be repositioned. Denali exterior is an eye turner but the plastic "woodgrain" console looks cheap and tacky. Seats are comfortable but would prefer a softer leather. When Im stopped for a light, after 10+ seconds theres a thud-like jolt & sound from under the car. Dealer has no idea what is causing this but has heard others complain about it.

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  Big Hauler, Drives Like a Sports Sedan - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Michael McGraw - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Truck is a good all around truck. Rode better than my 99. Parking is easy and pickup is good on the hw. Love the load leveling frture.