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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  Mileage - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Kevin - June 8 - 9:10 am

  Great looking truck. Performs well while towing and rides great. The gas mileage is no where near where GM says. Engines are not going to get 7 to 8 mpg better after they break in. I get 11-13 mpg driving around 65 mph. I love the remote start escpeccialy with the hot weather out here in central CA.

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  GMC ONLY - 2000 GMC Sierra 2500
  By Mark - June 6 - 10:50 am

  I like my GMC very much,it is snappy and has good torque for pulling a medium weight travel trailer. The only complaint I have with this truck is a persistant knock in the engine that is very noticable in the morning starts. My previous truck was a 1976 3/4 ton 4x4 GMC long bed. The ride on the 2000 was my first consideration in buying a new truck. My next step up will be the Duramax.

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  Hope I did the right thing - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By mdg - May 28 - 11:54 pm

  I have been a Honda kinda guy. Taking a chance with GMC, love the vehicle at this point, with the exception of the MPG (overstated). As long as the reli bility is there down the road I will be fine, Anyone out there that can speak of the relibility on owning a 2007?

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  Check Engine light - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Wyoming Acadia owner - May 26 - 1:47 pm

  We love our Acadia, beautiful design but unhappy with the Check Engine Light being on about 80% of the time since we have owned it: 5 months. Each time its on I take it in, and all 3 times they say its the emissions and each time I get one new part: canister with hoses, next time it was the purge valve, last time was the fuel tank sensor --and after the car was on the lift and the tank off -oops, wrong part, so I got a rental car at their expense. 2 days later, check engine light on again. I have asked for a new gas cap -as it also says tighten gas cap" (we do) and I guess it all depends on GM and what they say. If it comes on again after whatever they do this time, I want another car!!

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  Rear window design faulty - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By cc cattle co - May 23 - 3:13 pm

  I have a 2007 Yukon SLE that I really like, EXCEPT...I drive on some dirt roads and it is impossible to keep the dirt from packing onto the back window. Driving in snow also results in snow PACKING on the rear window. If you dont start the rear wiper early on, you cant keep the snow off the window. I feel it is a dangerous design and I am trading off my Yukon, despite how much I like the darn thing, for a vehicle with a different spoiler (for lack of a better word) above the rear window. That is what causes the problem. I had a 2003 Tahoe that didnt have this spoiler and the dirt and snow on the window was minimal. Talk to a car wash place, theyll tell you exactly what I am talking about

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  fuel pumps stink! - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By cranky - May 23 - 8:10 am

  I have put more into the jimmy then I paid for it. Im surprised I didnt see the fuel pump mentioned more. It has cost me 1200 alone. The ball joints are also a problem but do to roads where I live. I replace them myself to cut cost. I also had electrical problems and replaced the mass air flow sensor 2x. Over all gas mileage good comp to 98 ply voyager mini van. I enjoy driving it when its running and it hasnt left me stranded w/ 3 kids. Also back seat too small for 2 kids w/ car seats.

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  You cant go wrong - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By F. Gibbons - May 22 - 2:50 pm

  Purchased this truck with 48K and am very surprised of the quality of this truck. Being five years old I expected the suspension to maybe a tad loose or at the very least expected to hear cabin rattles and squeaks. Nothing; feels like a brand new truck. I have the SLT with the Bose and heated leather buckets. You never want to get out of it! Looked at all the other manufacturers and now know without question, I made the right choice.

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  Great Vehicle, Fuel Economy Stinks - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Drpcfix - May 18 - 10:00 am

  My 96 Diesel got 11-20mpg. Denali XL gets 8mpg city 14 hgy. Painted rear bumper scratches easily. NAV antenna is under dash and has poor signal. Onstar is on the roof.

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  Speedometer Problems - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By polonerw - May 16 - 7:10 pm

  I bought my Duramax Diesel 2500 Hd crew cab to pull a 36 foot fifth wheel. There is plenty of power; however, have had a few problems. The speedometer failed at about 60000 miles and had to be replaced. I have read that this is a common problem but there is a class action lawsuit and I plan to turn in my 478.00 receipt and hopefully get reimbutsed from GM. The engine light came on and paid to have the code read which was relatively meaningless but havent had any more problems with that. I added a Superchip which is amazing how much perfromance improvement. Have heard that some people have burned up transmission with Superchip but I always reset to towsafe prior to pulling anything.

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  Wind Noise - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By TrAvIs - May 15 - 2:00 am

  The only problem with this SUV is the wind noise. It is very very loud. But the digital almost everything is good.