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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  Disappointed - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By DISAPPOINTED - February 23 - 1:43 am

  I just took a 1,000 mile trip and was miserable. I kept hitting my head on the tilted head of the seat and had a crick in my neck my entire trip. The seats are so firm they feel hard. The lumbar support feels like it never releases and both drivers on my trip had backaches. The only positive was the front window has good visibility in the rain. I am sorry I bought this car since I travel frequently. The FM radio has poor reception so you must pay for XM. The car is slow and the gas pedal is hard to push and you must lift your foot at a severe angle to reach. I cant believe I read so many good reviews. This car is slow, eats gas, and is just plain uncomfortable!

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  Prolonged Old Design - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Unser - December 17 - 10:00 am

  A first cousin with the Suburban, these vehicles ride real smooth on highways due to its weight. It is also its drawback. Low fuel economy, inflexible seating arrangement although its roomy. 2nd row Seats dont recline. Third row seats have to be taken out of vehicle to achieve space while the 2nd row folds flat. May need some interior and exterior design to optimize comfort and practicality.

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  Should have kept my ford - 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD
  By Z Costello - October 16 - 7:09 am

  Bought this truck brand new. Needed a dually for towing. Thought I couldnt go wrong with a new Denali diesel. Was I wrong. Digital steering assist whines in the steering column when at idle. Ridiculous for a $70k truck. I also have cabin noise issues. I can hear the ticking of exhaust coming from dash area on driver side. Not well insulated for outside noises. And just last week noticed I have about 2 inches of play in the steering wheel. Hard to control at highway speeds. Gm has been terrible to deal with. They say everything is normal for this truck. Completely unexceptable. Traded my Ford F-350 for this.....big mistake. I am pursuing lemon law on this truck. Has been in dealer 3 times for same issue. Going in again to see if they can fix. Gm doesnt have a fix therefore its normal. Thats not gonna fly. *Just to update. Took my truck in again for issues listed above. As expected GM has no fix for problems. They agreed the digital assisted steering is noisy but they dont know how to fix so they chalked it up to a normal characteristic of the truck. Really bad service. Ill be going back to a Ford soon. Never had an issue with my F350s.

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  POOR BUMPER DESIGN - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Rita - September 15 - 7:36 pm

  Bumper cracked from end to end after backing out of driveway over small mound of snow was told by owner of body shop that it wasnt our fault it was the fault of poor design of front bumper, will always have this concern because front bumper acts like a huge scoop that allows accumulation and eventual breaking of 2 clips which are currently backordered more than likely they are in demand because of all the bumper repairs was told to strongly pursue issue because of possible chronic replacements GM will not assist unless brought to GM dealership at our expense for evaluation Will they risk alerting the customer of this design fault, we think not WILL PURSUE THIS WITH ALL WEVE GOT! GM FAILS

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  GMC Denali - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By baja - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my second and last GMC. Quality and reliability were very poor. I ran into several FACTORY defects. Do yourself a favor and buy a Toyota.

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  Great Truck, Hideous Transmission! - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Baystate - August 16 - 2:00 am

  The defective transmission outweighs all the good things about this truck! The transmission clunks when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. This clunk is so bad that there is no pleasure in driving this otherwise great truck. GM tech bulletin says this is normal! If so, then why doesnt it do it from 1st to 2nd, or 3rd to 4th. Since when is a transmission that clunks and bangs normal for a new $25,000 vehicle? GM refuses to repair! I was told by the dealer to get used to it. Gee Thanks!

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  Very disappointed in the GMC Terraine - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Dean Gould - July 6 - 3:40 pm

  I changed jobs and needed a car fairly fast. I saw this car on the lot in what appeared to be a good deal, $23,000. By the time I was out of there, my loan was $28,000. For $28,000, I could have gotten a great Honda or Toyota but I wanted to buy American. There are some great American cars out there but not this one. My fault for rushing. One of the reasons I liked it was the exterior design. I like the tough front end which looks like a truck front end. The 2018 looks like every other mid-size SUV. Bad mistake on GMCs part to change the styling. Here are my problems: 1) it sounds like a tin-can when you close the doors. A little injection fill of some sort should have fixed that. 2) biggest problem is the seats are tilted up ever so slightly (bottom portion) so it is causing major pain in my right leg (probably sciatica) Ive spent hours trying to get just the right position and nothing works. It lifts your leg just enough to be uncomfortable. I looked on line and others have the same problem. I called GMC about them adjusting it somehow mechanically and no one really cares. Not possible. So I had to buy a tacky seat cushon and Im hoping that works. You better make sure the 2018 models dont have that slant. I was in my buddys Honda truck this weekend. Ahhhhh. The pain resided. 3) the salesman told me the radio was the latest technology; that I could play my iphone through the radio, pandora, etc. I spent hours trying to figure it out. I called 2 dealers, I called the technical hotline. I stopped in a dealer twice. No one could help me get it working. I was told by the technical line that my model, S1 radio does NOT have that option. To replace radio would be $1500 or more. Finally after wasting all that time, I found a special adaptor that allows me to play pandora, etc. through the car radio. How could no one know that. Meanwhile, its a great big hassle because I cant charge my iphone and use this adapter at the same time and there is NO other adapter that works. 3) the headliner is like paper. it has ripped in 3 places and the dealer wont fix it even though I have the "interior" warranty. What a joke. Ive owned and driven company cars for 40 years; at least 20 different cars and only a used Grand Prix in about 1983 had a torn headliner and it was probably already 10 years old. 4) The seat covers are cheap looking and it ruins the overall interior design of the car. The little holes in the fabric catch food and other things. 5) Id trade the car in tomorrow but it appears in just nine months, Id already lose over $10,000. Its KBB is $17,153 so Im stuck with this lunch box for a long time. What a joke.

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  Remember the V 8-6-4? - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Cadillac - June 20 - 6:30 am

  The GMC Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L or 6.0L engine equipped with Active Fuel Management; has the same problem as the old nightmarish V8-6-4. GM does not have a program that can fix this problem. Dont be fooled! They have done it again. Do yourself a favor and by a 2500 series with the 6.0L without the active fuel management. Just make sure you have enough money for gas.

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  2006 GMC 1500 ext-cab 4x4 - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By poppyseed - June 14 - 9:38 am

  Initially had a few Q.C. issues with the speakers blowing, weather seal falling off, passenger arm rest detaching and the rear brake light assembly falling off, the real fun began. at 57k the tranny blew. Shortly after the transfer case failed. At 70k the drive side wheel bearing failed. 6 months later same bearing failed. At 75k the rotors replaced for 2nd time. Solenoid on gas tank replaced. Steering shaft knuckle replaced. Truck quivers and rattles over the smallest of bumps after 79k miles. Forgot to mention the rust on rocker panels, doors and wheel wells. The truck is such a lemon my kids make fun of it.

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  2007 GMC 3500 carbon monoxide in cab. - 2006 GMC Sierra 3500
  By daveo08 - May 4 - 8:10 pm

  Having driven this truck only a short distance, 2400 miles, problems are already evident. The worst being a diagnosis, from a blood sample test, of carbon monoxide poisoning due to cab infilteration. This is caused by the missfiring of the injection electronics package and the poor cab fit and finish allowing the engine exhaust to get into the cab unless the recirculate mode is used on the heating system. Recirculate is defeated by the controller which will not allow the recirculate mode to be engaged except on max ac. The engine has very poor throttle response and smokes excessively under heavy acceleration. The engine has a propensity to consume oil.