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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  Love it so far - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By don henrichsen - January 19 - 7:20 am

  So far I have nothing but good things to say about my new Acadia. Outstanding comfort and features. Fuel mileage great for a car its size. Love the heads up display, the sports car feel of the leather seats, the center row storage and movable arm rest, remote start and power lift gate. The only slight negative would be that the stereo sound isnt all that great. I have the ten speaker set up and though not bad it isnt as good as I would have hoped. Only time will tell on reliability.

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  Nice truck! - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KD - January 17 - 12:23 am

  I just purchased an 07 Sierra and I absolutely love it! There is no comparison between this truck and the 99 Sierra that I traded. The stealth gray is awesome, and the build quality is superb. I have the work truck with the preferred package, SL package and towing package. I just cant get over how nice this truck is and nice the ride is compared to the old body style that I owned. I have the 4.8l and am getting 17-18 mpg mixed driving.

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  Love It - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By maternut - January 16 - 8:46 pm

  The only thing I dont like is fuel mileage. Traded a 2002 in on this one and got a little better mileage. Both had the same engine 4800. This is crew cab and the other one was a ext. cab. Bigger wheels and a little more weight may be part of the mileage problem. Getting about 2 miles per gal. less maybe it will improve with a few more miles.

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  Yukon 1999 - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By Maribel Romero - January 13 - 5:15 pm

  A single mom who is dependant on this sturdy automobile to get her family and friends (both elderly and young) safely around town. Family and friends ride along comfortably with plenty of leg room and added room for groceries and/or carry ons. When properly cared for, it has proven dependable and rides smoothly. I enjoy it very much and like it especially during winter season. I highly recommend this year and model.

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  GMC SIERRA - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By ted1955 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  If GM built cars as good as their trucks they would put a lot of people out of business.

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  Plenty of space - 2003 GMC Savana
  By blue 250 - January 12 - 8:53 pm

  We have enjoyed this vehicle for the last 14000 miles. It was a conversion by Cobra, nothing fancy, just the best seats available, no TV or mood lights. Fuel economy has ranged from 12.5 mpg in sub-zero city driving to 20.2 mpg on 55 mph rural roads. The only failure to date is the windsheild weather stripping, which came loose while on the interstate. The dealer made the repair, eventually. GM treats the option list like all Savannas will be plumbing trucks. No MP3 cd player, no XM sattelite controller, no trip computer. All of these item are available on the Yukon/Suburban, which this van is based on. 5.3 V8. It was the same price as the Toyota Sienna, but the space won out.

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  GMC Savana - 1998 GMC Savana
  By SHANE GRIMES - January 12 - 6:08 am

  When my diesel van was new, from 1 to 3 yrs it had engine problems, transmission, alternator, sliding door, and few other problems, but they eventually got fixed. It is now pretty reliable except for the alternator belt has flown off 3 times. Despite the problems Ive had, I love my van! It tows great! I have no problems passing any other truck type vehicles on any mountain passes. My husband agrees it out performs his 1997 4x4 dually Chevy diesel truck, except there is no 4wheel drive. I can honestly say this vehicle has enhanced my life, because of its towing abilities and the inside room it provides. Ive learned to live with the cheap interior. I will buy this vehicle again, with 4wheel drive.

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  Great truck - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Karen Newberry - January 11 - 10:42 pm

  I love driving this truck. It rides like a Yukon, only better. I never would drive a truck and fell in love with this one. Only problem we have is my husband hits his elbows on the split console sometimes. I have no problems with it at all!

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  Very Poor Denali - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By none - January 11 - 4:43 am

  This is for a 2004 Denali with nothing but problems. Dealers cannot find and fix the shaking and the wandering on these vehicles and are denying a problem even exists. It appears the frames or the design of these vehicles are in question and appear to drive very unstable down the road. Not all Denalis have this problem but there are a lot that do. I feels like you are driving down a bumpy road when the road is not. read the forums at http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com I can deal with the paint problems on the console and the Speedometer issues and all the cosmetic stuff, but I cannot deal with the real problems like bad welds in the frames and the wobbling down the road. I will never buy GM

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  Canyon Extended Cab Z71 W/3.5l 5Cyl - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By AC - January 10 - 2:40 pm

  I have had my Canyon for several months now. Overall Id give it a 9. Size is just right. Comfort is excellent (Front buckets). It is great for tooling around the city, and country roads alike. Suspension is very good. 4wd also very good. Bottom end grunt is lacking, but its nowhere near underpowered (5cyl). Interior simple and clean, even if the plastic isnt as good as materials used in other vehicles. No mechanical problems at all. Payload rating is adequate. I agree it could be higher, but anything heavier would be pushing you around pretty good given the Canyons relatively lower weight. Its a very good truck when you think reasonably.