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:

• 

  American Junk - 1996 GMC Jimmy
  By Nate6376 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Buyer beware!!! Just another piece of American junk. I bought this truck used in March of 2003 and within the first year I had to replace the radiator, alternator, and catalytic converter. Truck has an oil leak that is too expensive to fix and the engine developed a knock within 10,000 miles. I look forward to my next purchase of a Toyota.

• 

  Bad News for GMC - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By dave - August 15 - 2:20 pm

  5.3 motor burns oil as in 4qt. in 2000 miles and dealer didnt do nothing. Had a 2004 GMC with lots of issues of its own,any thing from the tailgate falling down at random to to the windshield leaking from day two i could go on and on with this pickup at 21,000 miles and the front axle went out for the second time I traded it off on the 2007. 11,000 miles to the day i got rid of it it was on an oil consumption(spelling) test. when you pay the money that you do for a car/truck I dont feel you need headaches like this. This was and will be the last gm for a long time

• 

  Acadia not for dirt roads - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Myrt - July 31 - 5:33 am

  We traded off my 2000 Durango for this 08 Acadia and I am disappointed in that the Acadia leaks in a lot of dirt on our rural roads, mostly around the liftgate. A lot of dirt collects between the two rows of weatherstripping around the 2nd-row doors, also, so much that you sure dont want to lean against that area with clean clothes on. I also do not care for the constant shifting of the transmission. My Durango had a 4.7 and I really miss it.

• 

  Solid reliable truck - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By Walt K - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I have almost 50,000 miles on my 6 cyl extended cab SLS and it has performed perfectly ever since it was driven out of the showroom. Absolutely no mechanical problems at all. The ride is a little rough and the seats are not as comfortable as I would like. But the V6 is strong and the auto trans shifts nicely. I drive on the highway a lot and my gas milage averages just above 20 MPG.

• 

  Nice but not Nice Enough - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By kcool - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 01 for the 03. Was disapointed. GM took a lot of small things away to save dollars yet charge a higher price. Best part of this truck is the engine and AWD. But you pay for it in gas mileage. Average about 13.5 mpg combined. Get close to 17 mpg highway. With the back seat removed, lots of space. However the seat is cumbersome and heavy and hard to manage to get it in and out. If you leave it in it wont fold flat. For such an expensive vehicle, lacks the luxury touches that one expects. There is not much luxourious about it.

• 

  Whats with the interior paint? - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By J. McKeon - June 27 - 12:00 am

  Hubby surprised me with my pre-owned 03 model. Interior paint/finish on dash has an area flaking off. Weird! Went from a Caddy Seville SLS to this, so comfort and handling was important. On the comfort side, the XL is spacious and seating is pretty well, but not as many adjustments as the Caddy. Need to be able to adjust the seats lower with more tilt for shorter folks. It handles well, but almost too sensitive in the steering. I could see some major over-correction problems with even the most seasoned driver. I pull a two-horse trailer, and rate it adequate for that, due to sense of power strain and some instability even with equalizer bars

• 

  Regret this purchase - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By smith - June 24 - 5:30 am

  We were so happy when we bought our Acadia. Great looks, power, and felt solid. After we bought the car we learned how bad the fuel economy was. I also noticed the hesitation up hills. Throttle response is terrible if you step on it. At 8,000 miles check engine light came on. Service center told us fuel cap and camshaft problem? Camshaft? Only 8,100 miles on this car.

• 

  Fun Truck - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By Keithwilgus - June 15 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. Very responsive, quick but very rough ride.

• 

  Off Road Use Comments - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Bruce Beighle - May 19 - 10:00 am

  I have driven my 2000 GMC Yukon Denali in rough offroad conditions throughout the northern Rockies. At ~28k miles the transmission failed and was replaced (~$1500), at ~38k miles the fuel system failed and 4 main components were replaced (~$900), at 52k miles the front alignment pin & boots had to be replaced, uneven tire wear forced replacement of 4 new tires within 20k miles (~$500), a cracked plastic front grill was replaced (~$700) and several body parts have fallen off. In summary, this vehicle has been a very expensive lemmon and we cant wait to replace it with a more reliable and better built vehicle (e.g. Toyota 4Runner or Nissan Pathfinder).

• 

  I have become a GMC service expert - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By brad - May 18 - 11:10 pm

  My name is Brad and I have owned a 2001 GMC Sierra for a little over a year. The factory warranty has not expired and I have had to take it back to the dealership at least six times. From the seams on the interior ripping to the oxygen sensor going bad twice, this truck has been a real headache. I have the Z71 model and it is the truck I always wanted but after this one I am done with GMC.