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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  GMC Envoy Experience - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By raw100 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Excelent vehicle delivers all that is promised

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  Driving Miss Daisy - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By studentdrivr - July 17 - 9:06 am

  Just bought the Denali and Im having almost much fun with it as I do with my 07 Corvette! I had ordered a 5.7 Crewcab Limited Tundra mainly for the 6spd tranny. I had looked at the Silverado but was unhappy with the lack of a 6spd. Luckily I happened upon my all black Denali and it was love at first sight. Needless to say I was sold, took it back to the dealer and drove it home. I love the look,I love the way it handles and the interior is probably one of the best truck interiors Ive seen. Did I mention it goes real fast? Everything works as designed, no buyers remorse

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  Not quick but still very much OK! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Woody in Virginia - July 17 - 5:36 am

  Weve had it a month - already taken a 1,000+ mile trip... bottom line is that we love it. Feels as big as a Tahoe [weve had one of those] but handles as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee [weve had 4 of those...] on the road. This is an AWD model [with every goodie except the cargo area audio control] to help with the snow we get from time to time but off-road was not a consideration for us. I am impressed with the fit and finish as others have said - much more upscale than the similar model from Saturn [and the Acadia price was the same as the price for the Saturn]. The navigation system is superb - the best one that I have ever seen -- very easy to operate.

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  WOW!!!!! - 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Curtis K - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my first GMC Truck. I was happy with the over all performance with the 5.3L motor. The large fuel tank will take us about 490 miles on the open road about 19 mpg as long as you keep your foot out of it. That is great my suv with a V6 3.2L only gets 18 mpg and is much smaller.. So buy with Confdince. but try to step up to 5.3L motor you will be glad you did.. Curtis Yucaipa, CA

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  Another great product - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By SharieLinn - July 16 - 1:00 am

  We are a loyal GM family. This is our second GMC SUV, and it is the greatest. Has a smooth and quiet ride. Its got the Brut of an SUV with the ride of a fine car. The best of both worlds. Plenty of leg room in the second and third rows.

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  Best Vehicle I have ever had - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By Bob Boyle - July 12 - 9:36 pm

  My 2015 Yukon Denali is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned, 60K mile and no break fix repairs or complaints other than the price but, I guess, the quality is what I paid for! I have had most of the big time cars such as Cadillacs and Mercedes but this vehicle is the best and its a truck with all the cargo capacity to boot. It is quiet, has a great entertainment system, the iPhone also hooks up to the system which never happens in my wifes Ford, huge acceleration, great traction, what more can i say

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  Best Vehicle I have ever had - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By Bob Boyle - July 12 - 9:36 pm

  My 2015 Yukon Denali is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned, 60K mile and no break fix repairs or complaints other than the price but, I guess, the quality is what I paid for! I have had most of the big time cars such as Cadillacs and Mercedes but this vehicle is the best and its a truck with all the cargo capacity to boot. It is quiet, has a great entertainment system, the iPhone also hooks up to the system which never happens in my wifes Ford, huge acceleration, great traction, what more can i say

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  Great family car - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By mike brien - July 10 - 3:00 am

  We have had our Acadia for 3 weeks and drove to South Carolina and back from NY without any problems. Very comfortable (15hrs of driving straight). We drove through snow, sleet, wind, rain and sun. It handled great in every aspect. We have two young kids. They had plenty of room for all the toys and things to keep them occupied for 15hrs.

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  I love my truck - 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD
  By Jon ellis - July 6 - 8:29 pm

  I have a 2015 gmc 3500 dually with the durmax. I also put 24 inch 18 wheel style wheels with larger tires. My truck rides great and i had as much as 21 mpg on the hwy. I average about 15mpg but i do a lot of stop and go and sitting in Atlanta traffic. I have a 26 foot trailer and when i pull it it doesnt even feel any different. I had a ford f350 prior and i had nothing but issues. I also have new a ls460 but i rather drive my truck.

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  Very disappointed in the GMC Terraine - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By Dean Gould - July 6 - 3:40 pm

  I changed jobs and needed a car fairly fast. I saw this car on the lot in what appeared to be a good deal, $23,000. By the time I was out of there, my loan was $28,000. For $28,000, I could have gotten a great Honda or Toyota but I wanted to buy American. There are some great American cars out there but not this one. My fault for rushing. One of the reasons I liked it was the exterior design. I like the tough front end which looks like a truck front end. The 2018 looks like every other mid-size SUV. Bad mistake on GMCs part to change the styling. Here are my problems: 1) it sounds like a tin-can when you close the doors. A little injection fill of some sort should have fixed that. 2) biggest problem is the seats are tilted up ever so slightly (bottom portion) so it is causing major pain in my right leg (probably sciatica) Ive spent hours trying to get just the right position and nothing works. It lifts your leg just enough to be uncomfortable. I looked on line and others have the same problem. I called GMC about them adjusting it somehow mechanically and no one really cares. Not possible. So I had to buy a tacky seat cushon and Im hoping that works. You better make sure the 2018 models dont have that slant. I was in my buddys Honda truck this weekend. Ahhhhh. The pain resided. 3) the salesman told me the radio was the latest technology; that I could play my iphone through the radio, pandora, etc. I spent hours trying to figure it out. I called 2 dealers, I called the technical hotline. I stopped in a dealer twice. No one could help me get it working. I was told by the technical line that my model, S1 radio does NOT have that option. To replace radio would be $1500 or more. Finally after wasting all that time, I found a special adaptor that allows me to play pandora, etc. through the car radio. How could no one know that. Meanwhile, its a great big hassle because I cant charge my iphone and use this adapter at the same time and there is NO other adapter that works. 3) the headliner is like paper. it has ripped in 3 places and the dealer wont fix it even though I have the "interior" warranty. What a joke. Ive owned and driven company cars for 40 years; at least 20 different cars and only a used Grand Prix in about 1983 had a torn headliner and it was probably already 10 years old. 4) The seat covers are cheap looking and it ruins the overall interior design of the car. The little holes in the fabric catch food and other things. 5) Id trade the car in tomorrow but it appears in just nine months, Id already lose over $10,000. Its KBB is $17,153 so Im stuck with this lunch box for a long time. What a joke.