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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  Slowly falling apart - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By jcat_70 - November 13 - 11:40 pm

  I owned a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 for 4 years. Although, I must say, the engine and trans were reliable, partly because I used Mobil 1 synth. oil and never beat on it. Other things with the truck started to fall apart, i.e., the ABS system would intermittently go off at less than 5mph on dry surfaces, the fuel gauge would start and stop working, the right side mirror was flopping around in the wind, the tailgate handle (plastic) broke off when opening the tailgate one day. The brakes were terrible - including the rotors and way too much distance was needed to stop. The drivers door lock got jammed and wouldnt lock no anymore. Power window linkage broke. Radio lights quit working. too much!

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  A Christmas Gift that wasnt worth giving! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Tee - November 1 - 2:16 am

  We are warned that "Everything that looks good is not always good for you!" My son surprised me with this vehicle for Christmas 2 years ago. Needless to say, it was an expensive gift that was NOT worth giving. This vehicle will bankrupt you! If you purchased a 2010 GMC Terrain I certainly hope you have a good warranty to go along with it. You will most certainly need it. The Engine in these vehicles are LEMONS! You better buy stock in engine oil as well. Never mind any recommended oil change schedules you are given. Do it every 2,000 miles or you will pay the price. The best thing about that is, the car will warn you around every 2,000 mile interval. The engine begins to rattle when you press on the accelerator. It will begin to cut off on you upon acceleration. It will surge. It will stall and scare the hell out of you. And KEEP YOUR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS, you will need them when you have to replace the engine...and you will have to replace the engine! They will try to say you did not change the oil according to schedule. Trust me, If I would of waited to do it every 3,000 (or 5,000 as they suggested) miles the engine probably would have caught fire. There have been numerous other issues as well, but the engine issues and the drastic over consumption of oil are the mother of all other issues. BUYER BEWARE! Its a shame too because I like the design, the body style, and the interior cabin space. But the cons far outweigh the pros.

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  Terrible Attempt at a Truck - 2003 GMC Sonoma
  By Bruce - October 20 - 4:17 pm

  Ive had this truck for 2 years now and I absolutely hate it. A friend had one and I thought that it looked good, so I bought it without testing it at all. What a dumb move. It gets terrible fuel economy. Has absolutely no power, terrible, no passing power at all, no bottom end. Have to put it into 4X4 low to get any power. That is where it is actually good. In the mud it is great, cause it is so light. The 4X4 low will crawl along at 200 rpm. However, the interior is way too small, and I sit so that my hip is bent and bothers me amazingly on long trips. But, it is in the shop as we speak having the transfer case replaced (50063 km).

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  I cant beleive I bought another GM - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By bad decision - October 2 - 11:20 pm

  The build quality is horrendous! The doors do not seal and have no adjustment and are bend to fit. The seat material is garbage and already shows heavy wear at 12k miles. The a/c does not cool in traffic. Alignment was way off. Rear main seal seeps, power window go up crooked, no ash tray. The arm rest on the door is very hard and elbow gets sore after an hour on the interstate. Theres trash in the paint, and vehicle was delivered to me with known defective tires and on and on and on.

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  Could be Better - 2004 GMC Canyon
  By Greg - September 30 - 5:13 pm

  Yes, you get what you pay for - many features for lower than competition prices. Materials, fit & finish are poor. 4-cyl + 5 spd manual gives me a 25 mpg avg. Not much power w/ a/c & 500 lb load in back. 5 spd manual has been hard shifting into 2nd gear (dealer says "normal"?). Main (major) problem so far is driver side doors (ext cab) have constant water leak. At the dealer right now for the 3rd time having entire interior removed and carpet replaced + new weatherstripping replaced on both doors. If they can finally get this fixed I would consider the truck acceptable at an average rating. There are better small trucks out there but you would pay more money.

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  Beware of front differential bearings - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By mcouch - September 28 - 5:40 am

  After a defect plagued experience with a new 1996 Suburban, I was pleased with the performance/reliability of the 2001 Yukon XL Denali I traded-in for, until hitting 60,000 miles and having the front differential bearings "come apart", according to the dealer; as if that were something I shouldve expected after 60,000 miles! If you are foolish enough to buy a big GMC SUV make sure you trade it in before warranty expires!

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  poor performance - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By cantonga - September 15 - 10:00 am

  car needs its third time in shop for same problem of low power or skipping engine. Replaced fuel pump twice and now feels like a lemon.

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  2016 GMC Yukon XL, - 2016 GMC Yukon XL
  By C - September 8 - 4:12 am

  This is a great vehicle. It is comfortable on long trips at least for the driver. The back seat is tight, but right now some of the kids are small. We have 8 people in our family so we got the 9 seater which gives us one extra space. Im very happy with the vehicles road noise, comfort, power, and AWD/4x4 in the winter. This would be my wish list on the next re-design though: I would love to see a "well" in the back cargo space area like in minivans. I know it cant be too deep because of the spare tire, but anything would be helpful. This would naturally increase the cargo capacity, plus things wouldnt roll out when you are on an incline (soccer balls, cantaloupes, watermelons, etc.) Perhaps they could put a faux floor that could come out or stay in depending on the needs of the owner. Also, this is crazy, and maybe Im the only one to think of this, but I would love to see sliding doors on the suburban/yukon. Its a beast to park, and if you actually have kids like we do, no one is allowed to open doors until we open them for them. If the sliders were there like on a mini van, it would be the ultimate family vehicle. I know a lot of people buy these with small families in mind so its probably not a big deal to them. And, the running boards are slippery when wet. Could it be possible to put a different coating on them? In any case, its a great car and Im glad to have it. GM, what do you think of the ideas?

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  Oil Consumption & loss of pressure - Recall - Dont Buy - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By 57mechanic - August 28 - 10:01 pm

  In a nutshell, Ill advise anyone considering purchasing a GM truck with their 5.3 liter aluminum block to stay away. GM doesnt acknowledge the consumption problem & will not rectify it. "Sorry, but until it uses a quart every 1200 miles, its considered normal." Since brand new, we religiously change oil & filter at 3,000 miles & have records to prove it. It began at 15,000 miles with "low oil level" alarm. Now.....1.5 quarts every 3,000 miles. Low oil alarm comes on anytime, anywhere but more frequent during freeway driving. Problem #2, "low oil pressure-turn off engine" oil pressure gauge goes to zero. Anytime, anywhere! What a nightmare! We are scared to leave the city with it.

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  Versatile, But Unreliable - 2001 GMC Safari
  By Joe V. - August 23 - 2:33 am

  The Safari is arguably the most versatile vehicle on the market. No other vehicle can carry cargo, 8 passengers and occasionally tow a trailer. I did all of the above with my Safari and it was great. Unfortunately, the Safari was not as reliable as I expected. During the 4 years I owned it, I had to replace the transmission, power lock actuators, vacuum diaphram, rear heat control, dashboard switches, mass air flow sensor, exhaust system and give it a complete tune-up. I also had the interior carpet replaced along with the weatherstripping because water leaked in from the dutch doors. I was so disappointed in the quality of the Safari that i traded it in and bought a 2005 Ford E-150