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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  Not likley to ge back to GM - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By DavidB - January 8 - 11:43 am

  This vehicle has been, without a doubt, the worst value for money that I have spent. I have purchased 8 NEW GM products. This is the most that I have spent and the most dissapointed that I have been (35% of purchase price on repairs, not maintenance). Head gasket leaked at 70,000 km. Random electrical failures from the onset have resulted in more than 35 dead battery incidents. Random sluggish performance due to fuel issues (new pump has not fixed the problem). Recently has been dieing on the road with 3/4 tank of gas!! This vehicle had great potential but the quality of the components has really killed my opinion. At least OnStar works when these things happened to my wife!

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  Multiple Repairs - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By neveragain - January 5 - 7:53 pm

  Fuel pump left us stranded 700 mls from home$1000, abs module replaced $1000, it has since gone out again and dealer has no record of fixing it the first time. Brakes wear unevenly, cuts out at stop light, multiple visits to dealer never corrected. Doors make terrible noise, no amount of oil, wd 40 helps. Window motors stopped working. Not a dependable vehicle at all. Cheap interior coming to pieces

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  Good, bad, and ugly - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ted Sparling - January 5 - 5:50 pm

  The Isuzu engine is the best part of this truck, along with the Allison tranny. The worst part has been all the GM stuff. Everything from numerous AC problems to leaks, memory features deleting themselves, multiple transfer case problems for auto 4WD, and leaking fuel injectors. If it were not for the dealerships attitude and incompetance i would buy again.

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  my first truck - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Brett from Texas - January 5 - 2:00 am

  i got this truck in late january and ive got 1700 miles on it. its perfect for me, the ride is smooth, acceleration is great, and the cd player takes care of all my music needs. the only other trucks ive had the pleasure of driving are my brothers 2002 F-150 single cab, and my dads 1978 F-150 extended cab, and it greatly surpasses both of them.

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  Living in the lap of luxury - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By FC1 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. The amenities are enough to make your head spin. I only have 5 knocks on the car so far.... How could GMC forget to put a remote gas cap cover release, and a remote rear window release in a car that otherwise has every gadget ? How could they settle for sutch an oversize and ugly steering wheel ? Why cant they make ONSTAR an option and lower the price ?. Why cant they make running boards standard instead of ONSTAR ?.... How about replacing that ridiculous sounding horn with a better one ? Other than that I hope this one lasts me a long, long time...and from what Ive seen so far....it should.

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  Steering feels cheap - 2011 GMC Sierra 1500
  By heresmyopinion - January 2 - 5:40 pm

  Bought the truck in Sept. and I gotta say, this is one smooth driving pickup. If I had the extra dough, the SLT would have been the way to go. The door handles are in a bad spot, passengers have a hard time finding them. The cab is already starting to make noise and the steering feels REAL cheap, Im planning on bring it to the dealer to have it checked out. Fuel economy is good, averaging around 17 mpg. The 5.3 liter has great power, with the truck loaded up, but I havent towed anything heavy yet so Im not sure how the truck would handle or brake. The leather interior is very comfortable, even on long trips and you cant beat the full size room. Got a good deal and dealership was great.

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  2003 GMC 1500HD - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GM 1500HD - December 20 - 2:50 pm

  Great truck, only 1 issue. With a little over a thousand miles, sounded like loose sheet metal under the truck. Ended up going back to the dealer 6 times before I went to another dealer. Found out it was the A/C compressor. Mechanic stated that it would build up too much pressure. Thank goodness I didnt put it off. Over $2500 in parts & labor. Not a single problem since. For such a big truck, get wonderful gas mileage. Only one thing I would change... get better viewing side mirrors. Lots of blind spots with the OEM mirrors.

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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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  Second Terrian and loving it - 2016 GMC Terrain
  By michael Marcus - December 10 - 4:20 am

  Shop around on the internet to find the best price available for the particular model you want before you negotiate with dealership for further reduction. Prices do vary I have noticed from dealership to dealership. I traded in my 2015 owned since 2014 Terrain SLE1 for my new 2016 Terrain SLE2. Most noticeable upgrade on the 4cyl engine is the power. Truly impressed. Gave it about 17 more horse power, you can feel the difference in acceleration on highways. Backup camera made improvements as well especially for parking. On my SLE2 model GMC to access Virtual Advisor feature, on you say OnStar command, I finally figured this out, GM didnt know and OnStar told me NYS discontinued this feature, not true. Im a happy camper about this again. Car interior is also quieter than previous model. Styling upgrade although modest makes a nice statement especially with the new LED lights and redesigned hood. Not sure why Edmunds is down on this model but it is a well priced, beautifully made, nice riding SUV. I am very happy now owning my second one. I would not have done this if I were unhappy with my first one. Remember I own I dont lease. Not into throwing my money away . It doesnt grow on trees in my house. One more thing MPG is lower in city then advertised but show me one that isnt. Getting about 16 MPG city right now but should go up once its broken in, highway havent done a trip yet, but based on other terrain I had Im expecting about 28 MPG not using ECO button. Another nice thing why I could trade in my 2015 after owning it for 18 months was trade in value, seems it maintained its value well enough to afford me the opportunity to buy the newer model, reset the warranties, get a new SUV with no miles and once again start over again. How much is that worth when you invest your savings? Another consideration when considering this SUV.

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  It is what it is - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Please for me daddy - December 9 - 1:10 am

  I bought this vehicle for carrying multi-passengers and for towing a boat. It does both with style and ease. The big engine option is worth it if you are going to tow, but dont expect stellar gas mileage from this. It does well for what it is. Console with DVD/Navigation gets a little busy and the illumination of the dials could be better. After 7 hours of driving I am not beat like I was driving our Lexus. This is a great blend of towing power and comfort.