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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  6.0 ltr - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By turnup1 - December 8 - 3:13 am

  Truck has plenty of power but the active fuel management 8cyl to 4cyl dosent work. The truck is to heavy and causes it to surge while driving down the freeway even on cruise control. No light in the engine compartment when hood is opened.

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  Amazing! - 2008 GMC Yukon XL
  By NJ Alvin - December 6 - 8:06 pm

  Ever since we bought this truck I cant wait to drive it again and again. My wife and my three kids like it very much. There are so many qualities that really hooked me into driving this truck almost every day. Comfort and ride are superb, handling is secure it makes us feel that we are safe especially for our kids. I like the design both outside and inside. Engine power will not compromise when you need it. Features that we find very useful like onstar, bluetooth and a lot more. In other words it is simply Amazing!

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  Great Vehicle! - 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
  By Jay - December 5 - 5:23 pm

  This is a very well engineered vehicle. In 9 months I have driven over 27,000 miles in both city and highway driving, as well as a short 300 mile trip towing a medium size Uhaul. Very comfortable on the road and around town. For a 5,600 lb. SUV with 4WD I cant complain getting 18.5 MPG pulling a trailer at 80 MPH and 19.5 MPG on the open road at 85 MPH. Around town I average 20 MPG and I dont drive like a little old lady.

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  HOT IN THE BACK SEAT! - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Betty - December 4 - 11:35 am

  No air vents in the back seat. You have to freeze in the front in order for the back seat to have air. HOT HOT HOT...IT IS AN SLT. ITS NOT THE CHEAPEST TERRAIN. BUT IS IS HOT IN THE BACK.

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  Excellent Grocery Getter - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By TexasLonghornMike - December 1 - 5:06 pm

  We compared a number of crossovers and set our sights on the Acadia due to the combination of interior size, the availability of captains in the 2nd row, and its good looks. To date it has been an excellent grocery getter, capably hauling my wife and two kids from here to there with no issues. Its good to see GM producing first rate automobiles.

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  Acadia - Grand Slam Homerun - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Bill Sheridan - November 26 - 4:26 pm

  I researched everything out there, and landed on the Acadia. I needed a good family car with a towing capacity of not less than 4500 lbs. That shortened the list to the MDX and the Mercedes, and other GM Lambda platform cars. I purchased a loaded SLT2, and it seems great. Build quality is excellent. It handles extremely well. I believe GM hit a grand slam here. If build quality holds up, this car will compare very well against the MDX and others. And, the six speed tranny should give me an efficiency edge over all non GM competitors (until they adopt similar high efficiency transmissions).

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  Beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By tecteac - November 24 - 10:16 am

  We were impressed with all the supposedly included features until we actually bought the car and found out many of them do not function in all the models. ie the drivers information center on the base models. We felt the features could be changed to meet our needs. After having the car/truck for a week we have found out that while they are there and functioning they only function the way the engineers at GMC choose to make them function. In particular is the door locks. They lock as expected when you put the car into gear. The problem is they unlock automatically when ever you put the Acadia into park. ie, waitng at a train crossing in the worse part of town.

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  good from far , far from good - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By brent - November 23 - 12:30 am

  Hello viewers , please take notes before going out and purchasing one of the cheapest poor quality trucks gm has ever build . This is my fourth gm truck in ten years. Ive had my 07 sierra for two years and was very pleased with everything that it had offered . Two years later or 16000 miles later the interior is falling apart, deep rust has started behind the door weather molding, rattles and squeaks while you drive . Truck is garage kept and well maintained . And I dont even have kids jumping in and out of it . Bottom line is Ive have always loved and stood behind gm vehicles for twelve years . But this is truley a poor professional grade. Oh and good luck with any warranty work .

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  Snowy rear end - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Countryfolk - November 21 - 9:52 am

  When traveling on snow covered roads, all the rear lights become snow covered. Was almost rear ended due to following car unable to see any brake lights. I drive back country roads delivering meals on wheels and have to constantly brush snow off all brake lights. Very frustrating. I noticed that the Chevy equinox also has this problem.

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  Great Truck! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By hakdaddy - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I previously owned a 2002 F-150 prior to this truck, which was an absolute lemon. Ford did nothing to fix the numerous problems, which led me to switch to GM products again. I can say I am pretty impressed with the truck overall. It has decent power, but lacks a little in the torque department. The body, fit, and finish are excellent. There are no squeaks or rattles. Mileage is about 10% better than the similarly equipped Ford. There are many more amenities in the GMC, including OnStar, and XM radio. I will never buy another vehicle without XM. It is great in remote areas. The truck also runs great, and the transmission shifts smoothly.