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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  The new diesel is "wow" - 2008 GMC Sierra 3500HD
  By Brian - July 4 - 2:06 pm

  This non dually 3500 with the new diesel is a blast and very man like. I just purchased a 2006 3500 dump for my construction business. I love the fuel economy and the way it pulls my big trailers I didnt care for the new body style so I found a new 06. I added a pickup this month and all they had were 07 & 08. I bought the 08. Holy cow is the power different. This truck is sharp and can pull a trailer. It gets worked on job sites and I pile the mile on. Good fuel economy and pretty comfortable for a 3500. I will buy more as I update my fleet from Ford to GMC.

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  GMC # 5 in 8 years - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Guy in Texas - July 1 - 5:23 am

  I have 1400 miles on my new truck. Love it. The 5.3 w/6A is a super combo. Using the electo/manual shift button, you can chirp the (18" chrome clad) tires in 2nd gear (it hits quick!). Just traded a 2008 GMC 5.3 w/4A. 3 reasons why I traded/upgraded so quick: 1) Cloth seats collected lint, 2) Slow (20" wls) 3)Fantastic trade-in value on the 08. I have no trouble getting 20mpg highway at 75mph. If you drive it like you stole it, you cant get much worse than 15! Easily 10% better than my 08. The leather seats are great for long trips. Deep floor mats, nice touch. Added Retrax bed cover, black nerf bars & black wheel well liners for the rear wheels. Looks good with white paint.

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  Acaida PMS - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By almost perfect - July 1 - 1:43 am

  My Acadia has 2500 miles on it. I like it real well. But the transmisson is not sure a lot of the time what it is suppost to do. It shifts up or down when it wants to, not when it is suppost to. I love the car but transmission thing is very hard to live with. It gets 20 to 22 mpg, looks great. I went back to dealer, but they said it was ok. I am hoping they will have a recall on it.

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  Better than Expected - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Brad - June 30 - 7:10 pm

  The interior is the best I have ever seen in a pickup. The ride is strong and smooth and the steering tight. I have the Z71 2WD so it looks like a 4wd but cost a lot less. I added a K&N airfilter, flowmaster exhaust and a leveling kit to add almost 2 inches of lift to the front end. It looks and sounds great and everyone always tells me how much they like the truck. The bottom line is this is the best all around truck I have ever driven.

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  Denali All the Way - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Scratty - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This truck is the ultimate in SUVs. It drives so smooth, that you think your driving a cadi.

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  Can you say wow!! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ctpatsfan - June 27 - 3:40 pm

  Looked at Subaru Outback and Forrester as well as Ford Escape. None could compete with drive, feel or accessories of the GMC Terrain. Almost didnt look at the Terrain but glad I did because I fell in love with it once I drove it. Good acceleration, smooth transmission, great accessories, even the red trim lighting isnt as bad as people make it out to be especially if you use the dimming knob. Have had the car 3 weeks now and have loved every minute of driving the vehicle. The key now is reliability. Will check back in when I have full year under my belt.

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  Almost purchased, but decided to wai - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Parker - June 25 - 11:58 am

  I drove this car once and was so excited about buying it. Then drove it again, and decided to wait and maybe buy it in the future. I was looking at the crew cab, short box, sle with all-terrain. First-off, lets talk $36-39k for a mid-size truck. For nearly 40k, I expect some level of awesomeness. The front power seats dont have a tilt adjustment, and in the SLE (leather trimmed, cloth middle) they are just a tad on the firm side. Rear sliding window is manual. No manual locker on the All-terrain pkg (though it does have a type of locking differential). Short bed is very short: cannot put a bicycle length-wise standing up with both wheels on without the gate down. Stereo was great, interior styling excellent. No push button start (personally I prefer a key). The V6 is good, but noisy when stepping on the gas hard and really the 265 lb-ft of torque isnt enough for something that weighs 4000+ pounds. If this truck was $28k, Id buy it now. But I think the prices will drop. For $38k you can get a very nice full-size truck (though dont many of us want something smaller?) that probably weighs about the same and has a much more powerful engine. If they could have tuned the gasoline v6 to a bit more torque and improved the seats to the level of the Sierra, I would think this truck could be a $38k vehicle. I plan on waiting a year and buying one when the prices drop or buying one used. Just not a good value as priced. The engine noise/torque were the main detractors. I did test the vehicle off-road and it performed well and the hill-descent feature was nice.

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  Powerful and Comfortable - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By spud90 - June 24 - 12:46 pm

  I have never owned a truck before, but I will be moving my son to college and am planning some large home renovations. I bought this truck because dealers are making incredible deals on full-size trucks. A 2.5 ton vehicle with a 315hp engine that gets 15mpg around town is not bad in my opinion. Mine is a 4x2 because I am always on asphalt and it rarely snows in SE Virginia. One tip: Stabilitrak comes with traction control. So consider this option with a 2WD if you want a lower sticker and really dont want/need the extra maintenance and fuel comsumption of a 4WD. This vehicle handles well and is smooth and quiet. It reminds me of a 1977 Lincoln Town Car, only it handles much better.

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  Back to re-review after 6 months - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By SLC - June 22 - 5:30 pm

  I wrote my first review in June after trading in a 2004 F-150. It has only got better and better. Absolutely no issues. Fuel mileage has gone to over 23 MPG on a recent hiway only trip of 600 miles, to between 15-18 MPG back and forth to work and weekend trips. I have not had this kind of acceleration since my 61 Vette. There are no rattles or any fit/finish problems. Only oil changes and tire rotation. I would not trade this truck for any other on the market. I did extensive reseach and I am so glad I choose this HD2500, Duramax/Allison. I would recommend this truck to anyone, no hesitation.

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  Remember the V 8-6-4? - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Cadillac - June 20 - 6:30 am

  The GMC Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L or 6.0L engine equipped with Active Fuel Management; has the same problem as the old nightmarish V8-6-4. GM does not have a program that can fix this problem. Dont be fooled! They have done it again. Do yourself a favor and by a 2500 series with the 6.0L without the active fuel management. Just make sure you have enough money for gas.