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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  Love my Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Gary - December 17 - 11:23 pm

  Great value and mileage for such a big vehicle. It does everything I need it to do. I love it. It will turn heads as it looks great

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  Terrific vehicle - love it - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By TerryA - December 16 - 7:35 pm

  I tend to keep my vehicles a while - this replaced a 2007 Pontiac Torrent which at ten years old was still a good vehicle - not flashy or large but dependable. I wanted to upgrade now to something a bit larger and more comfortable. The only thing the same is the color - red. My new ACADIA Denali is a great choice. It handles like a dream (I test drove an equivalent vehicle of another make - that experience was like driving a bathtub full of water). The ACADIAs acceleration is good. Its cornering is superb - considering its size, it is surprising. Braking is great. Front seat comfort is great (heated and air cooled), 2nd row is good (heated), 3rd row is ok for short runs - well probably never use it as a seat. I think the overall size of the 2017 is perfect for us - the larger size of the 2016 would have been too big. It has ample room for our two very large dogs AND luggage. The technology took about 3 minutes to set up so I was comfortable driving home but honestly, most will need at least a few hours with the user manual to utilize all of it. There is a lot there. It is totally keyless - you need the dongle but never have to take it out of your pocket or push any of the buttons on it. If you lock your dongle in the car (hard but could be done) you can unlock it with your smartphone, or for a plan C, call onStar to unlock it for you. Ive only had it a few months and have gotten 18.6 mpg on what has been 90% city driving. As you can tell, I am as excited about this as I was when I got my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi (turbo) which I still have and which runs as if it were new even though it has 100,000 miles on it. The dogs like the new one a lot better. For trips, because of the roominess, comfort and technology, I do too. For the record, I tried other comparable vehicles and they all felt as if something was missing. If I change my mind, I will update my review but dont hold your breath waiting for it. The combined mileage shown below are for some short trips that included a bit more highway.

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  Excellent truck - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jeff - December 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the second GMC Sierra Ive owned (drove the first one for 10 years), and theyve both been excellent vehicles - extremely comfortable and reliable.

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  Yukon XL SLT Great Vehicle - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By fatdog - December 15 - 3:26 pm

  Had it over a month now. Great ride. Improved fuel economy over old Surburban.

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  save yourself dont buy this p.o.s - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By damian - December 14 - 2:39 am

  you can go faster in a go kart with a better ride at k1 speedway than this gutless slow as hell car.SUV stands for qaulity most cases but not here.i have to pay 30,000 dollars for a piece of crap car i think not.Shame on the dealerships for pushing ppl into buying this car.GM even knows its a piece but yet here we are.

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  2008 GMC SLT Z71 Ext Cab 6.5 bed # 2 - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By schodackbassman - December 14 - 12:40 am

  This is my 4th GMC extended cab and my 2nd z71 SLT. Trade my 04 for the 08 because of the great deals over the summer. I loved my 04 but the 08 is hands down a better overall truck. Adjustable everything for the driver including gas/brake pedal. Heated seats, great sound system, upgraded leather seats overall nicer inside. Like the return of drum brakes in the back and nice wheels. EZ lift tailgate is a godsend. Can be open/closed with one hand. Better heater then the 04 but still slow to warm in stop/go traffic on cold mornings below 20 degrees. Remote start is great, ride is great, looks are good, & no more touchy ABS system. 17" Wrangle ATS much better than cheap Bridgestones.

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  MEDIO-CAR - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By BUCK bARKER - December 13 - 3:26 am

  Front drive requires a lot of maintenance. uses more oil than it should Brakes are inadaquit for a car this size, especially loaded. load leveler goes crazy once in a while.-

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  Love to tow our Correct Craft - 2006 GMC Yukon XL
  By bmcveigh - December 11 - 7:40 pm

  The Yukon works like a dream. Load up 8 with gear and the Correct Craft behind it and it is effortless even going into the winding mountain roads of Napa.

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  Couldnt ask for anything more. - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By rustysmith - December 11 - 5:53 am

  6 years later, Im still happy with my purchase. Its been a great truck with no worries. The only problem Ive had is not getting the speedometer fixed before the recall ran out. My own fault. Other than that, only oil changes for over 120k miles. Reliability on these trucks is second-to-none. I have three friends with the same body style (one 04 and two 05s) and all have over 100k miles w/only 3 problems. My speedometer went out @ 105k. On the 05, his alternator went out @ 134k and his tranny went @ 166k. Using the gold standard of reliability, he has an 01 Camry. The starter went @ 150k and the tranny @ 160k. GM seems to be catching up to the Japanese automakers. Great job.

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  best suv ever? - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By gwreman - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is terrific and the dealer was even better. No problems with the vehicle and the Envoy has met all of my expectations. The dealer has checked with me repeatedly to make sure I am happy. This Envoy is a real winner!