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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  Mysteriously appearing miles - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Bill Rodgers - September 19 - 9:50 am

  Our family loves the new Acadia, but it seems to be mysteriously accumilating miles. Our GMC dealer has been great, but since the transmission recall (campaign) the service department can not duplicate the problem. The problem appears to be in one or all three of the computers. GMC needs to figure this out fast. Until then, I would like them to buy back the vehicle.

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  POOR BUMPER DESIGN - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Rita - September 15 - 7:36 pm

  Bumper cracked from end to end after backing out of driveway over small mound of snow was told by owner of body shop that it wasnt our fault it was the fault of poor design of front bumper, will always have this concern because front bumper acts like a huge scoop that allows accumulation and eventual breaking of 2 clips which are currently backordered more than likely they are in demand because of all the bumper repairs was told to strongly pursue issue because of possible chronic replacements GM will not assist unless brought to GM dealership at our expense for evaluation Will they risk alerting the customer of this design fault, we think not WILL PURSUE THIS WITH ALL WEVE GOT! GM FAILS

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  Great Crossover - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Scott - September 14 - 8:23 pm

  I looked at several different CUVs and SUVs and none had the interior refinement or power and economy as the Acadia. Great product.

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  Full sized family of 6 fits comfortably - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Grown up family of 6 - September 14 - 4:26 am

  Just bought. You should go look at car if you have a growing family.The car has standard bucket seats(credit if you want bench) The third seat is removable and the middle row moves foward and back. Adults comfortable in 3rd row. The pricing is like shopping for a Honda. You do not have to pay for all those extra options.They have FD and AWD. It is decieving from the outside and roomy inside. I love it. I also know it is first year out but it has everything I want in a luxury car without the price. Great Job GMC on your crossover. So far good gas mileage . Have not truly broken in yet. Still under the 500 mark.

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  50k dollars lemon - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By haytham - September 11 - 10:00 am

  i had aknok in the engin and sliping in the trans. from day one of buying my 2002 gmc denali xl in july of 2002. the dealer and gmc gave the runaround for monthes untill they admited that there is a problem. they changed the engin for me but the transmission still not fixed. they offerd that they will lubricate the shaft till 60k and that should take care of the problem. gmc and evans way of handelling this problem made me decide to never buy gmc cars ever.all truck 1998-2002 has these problems acoarding to their memos. in the next month if nothing gets done i am trading my denali xl to a ford.

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  Not a fan - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By notafan - September 9 - 9:13 am

  The fuel economy of this truck leaves a lot to be desired. My truck is GPSd so I am only able to drive the speed limit without getting in trouble. The best I have ever got for fuel economy is 14.8 mpg (imperial gallons). The quality of the truck is less than desirable. In cold weather (less than -20c) the back doors will not latch completely without slamming them hard. I actually knocked the molding off the door trying to get it latched. When the doors are closed they squeak and rattle so bad you have to turn the radio up. I have had to install a second battery to get the truck to start after sitting for more than 3 days. The airbag computer already stopped working and needed replacing.

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  Driving in Comfort - 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
  By tomerikac - September 8 - 11:05 pm

  I drove full size pickups for over 25 years then, due to marriage, started driving small cars/minivans for 5 years. Upon retirement, decided to go back to a full size pickup. Found this two yr. old 2012 ext. cab. 5.3l, 6-speed, 20" wheels, chromed out, tonneau, dual exhaust, bed liner, led lights, 16k miles for only $22.9k. Bought it from a 70 yr. old retiree. True, we would all love better gas mileage, but now that Im retired and driving less miles per year, I love driving this truck. Has been trouble free and very dependable. My young kids love it, too. Im hoping to drive this thing off into the sunset, or until my wife/kids tell me that Im just too old to drive.

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  Nice ride - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By j byrd - September 4 - 12:03 am

  I love my truck, it has everything. The only problem Ive had is the power window motors have both gone out and been replaced, and the 4 wd switch goes out and causes message board to read service 4 wd. Seems to be common problem according to dealer and other c/k 1500 owners. Other than that no problems. Gas mileage is not bad for the size of the truck. I figure 18 to 20 mpg, Hwy miles about 480 to tank, hwy & city I got about 454. Its a good looking truck. I get compliments on it all the time. I havent done much to it, Stainless wheel to wheel nerf bars & tubular grill & soft snapless extreme tonneau cover, everything else stock.

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  Driving in a living room - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By Mark - September 2 - 2:43 pm

  Super roomy and comfortable. Ive had extraordinarily great reliability. Excellent in snow and incement weather with the right tires.

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  Buyer be cautious - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By cch156 - September 2 - 7:23 am

  We choose the Acadia because it had so many of the features we were looking for and I wanted to drive something new and reliable. The Acadia has met many of my needs, but reliability is not one of them. In the 4 months we’ve had the car it’s been to the dealership 3 times. They had to replace the right cylinder head because of cam shaft end play. Now, I am uncomfortable driving a car that had to have the engine dropped at 6,000 miles for a major repair. A disappointment on a $39K car. I do agree with many of the reviewers that say there is a lack of power at slow speeds when climbing an incline. However, we were fairly happy with the Acadia’s performance when towing a U-Haul trailer.