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:

• 

  Duramax Powered - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Montana diesel - May 23 - 3:00 am

  I have the 2nd generation LLY Duramax engine in mine and i love it. I had to replace the injectors when i bought it at 130,000 but other than that i have just been upgrading. The ride is great, the seats are comfortable, the fuel economy is good, 20-24 highway, 15-18 city, if i keep my foot out of it(hard to do with 400 HP and 600LbFt of torque on tap). I have not had any major breakdowns since owning it. The transmission did blow up at 143,000, but it was a freak electrical short that caused it to engage 2 gears at once(lots of chunks in the pan). It actually got me all the way back to the shop in limp mode which was about 25 miles, 10 of which on a logging road.

• 

  3-1/2 yrs of performance... - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Sky King - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Since buying my Sierra new in Alabama, I have lived and worked in Louisiana, New Jersey, and now West Texas. Ive been in mud, sand and water up to the front grill and in 4WD Low the truck is unstoppable! The tow/haul transmission mode is great for pulling the boat. Ive had no mechanical problems whatsoever. The few drawbacks...should have bought the bench seat vs. the buckets- more passenger room and could have sat closer to my girlfriend! Four doors would be better than three. Cruise control accel mode is touchy..tends to downshift the transmission for accelerations at highway speeds. All in all great performance, styling, and durability.

• 

  another awesome gm truck - 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By ronald tootle - May 20 - 10:00 am

  this is the fifth (sixth if you count my Tahoe) gm truck that i have had and it is by far the best. talk about reliable. a heavy duty truck that has no problems pullikng my triler in any clime and place. in the snow, on the beach, it does not matter. talk about space, i have two kids and a dog and we travel with no problems, even on long trips. i will never own another type of truck, from any dealer...now a hummer...that is a different issue. ron tootle major, us marine corps camp lejeune nc gm truck owner since 1985 1985 chevy s-10 1988 chevy s-10 2001 chevy silerado ext cab z-71 2002 gmc sierra ext cab z-71 2002 chevy tahoe 4x4 2004 gmc sierra 2500hd quad cab 4x4

• 

  Whoa there - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KNOCK KNOCK - May 19 - 10:16 pm

  Truck runs good but there have been some problems. The brake light goes on most of the time, brakes are in working order says dealer. I need plenty of distance to stop. Gas gauge goes up and down intermitantly if you fill-up, at 1/2 tank it will go away. I have racks and boxes which has made body panels break away at tailights. Pro-grade not. Response was too much weight on bed? Vibration or shudder on launch. Mechanic found bearing in tail of tranny is worn. Remove to repair, too much weight?. Engine knocks on start still, response was could not replicate. Taigate cables were only repair that was correctly solved. The rusty bumper+driveline clunking was ignored.

• 

  Impressive Vehicle - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By High Road - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I drive an average of 45K a year. I just trade my 2001 Yukon SLT (w/ 95k) for a 2003 Denali. I loved the SLT, got many positive comments on it. The new Denali is clearly a step above. It is faster, handles better and most shocking to me; it is more fun to drive. The Denali is not inexpensive by any means, but NO vehicle matches it in overall looks and performance for the price.

• 

  2014Sierra Slt 4x4 - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By dave572 - May 13 - 9:47 am

  I purchased my new truck September 2013. I made the mistake of paying for the heated/cooled seat option. Big mistake. In cooling mode hot air blows on rear seat passengers. I was told after a few miles the air will cool off.top. The hot air still blows hot after 75 miles. Since I usually have a person in the back seat that is a waste of money. Also after 75-100 miles it feels like I am sitting on a fist sized rock. Guess what, the dealer reps got in and out of the truck and stated they could not duplicate my complaint. Initially I got 21.5 to 22.5 mpg at 68mph. Whick was why I boutght the truck. After a recall I now get 18 if lucky. I am looking to trade it off for a Ford.

• 

  Bad Apple - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By Derrick Leak Sr - May 11 - 2:30 pm

  I bought my 2002 Yukon XL(1500 2WD) brand new. By 30k miles my transmission went out, Steering wheels went clunk. My computer chip went bad not once but twice leaving the AC and heater running at full blast throughout the day/night until killing the battery. Between 30-45k the transmission had to be completely replaced. The GMC warranty folks just wanted me to agree on a warranty to wash their hands. I asked about all these problems and they were like never heard of anything like this before. After reading some of your viewers posts I see otherwise. I now have 81000 miles on it now and the tranny seal is leaking and the warranty is over. You already know how I feel.

• 

  Highway Cruiser - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By bigw2014 - May 8 - 5:04 pm

  This truck is great on the highway - smooth ride even empty, unbelievably quiet, comfortable seats, lots of luxury features. I am coming out of an Infiniti SUV and this thing compares very favorably with it on the highway. I am getting about 19-20 on the highway thanks to the cylinder deactivation, which you can only see indicated on the dash, you never feel it at all. It feels like a Mercedes, everything is solid and tight - hard to believe this is a GM product it seems so well-built. I drive country roads at night, the lights are ok - not horrible not great. Get the fog lights, they help. I run the fog lights all the time.

• 

  Horrible mileage - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By FamilyDude - May 6 - 4:30 am

  Vehicle may ride nice, and has decent leg room, but plan on stopping for gas often. Routinely getting 12MPG. A full size 4x4 Avalanche in our driveway gets better gas mileage under the same driving conditions. My recommendation is to buy a real truck until GMC has the Acadia properly road tested.

• 

  2007 GMC 3500 carbon monoxide in cab. - 2006 GMC Sierra 3500
  By daveo08 - May 4 - 8:10 pm

  Having driven this truck only a short distance, 2400 miles, problems are already evident. The worst being a diagnosis, from a blood sample test, of carbon monoxide poisoning due to cab infilteration. This is caused by the missfiring of the injection electronics package and the poor cab fit and finish allowing the engine exhaust to get into the cab unless the recirculate mode is used on the heating system. Recirculate is defeated by the controller which will not allow the recirculate mode to be engaged except on max ac. The engine has very poor throttle response and smokes excessively under heavy acceleration. The engine has a propensity to consume oil.