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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  New Year New Truck/Great Truck Great Yr - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Darkcloud - October 10 - 7:40 am

  I picked up this truck on New Years Day. Have already driven over 250 miles. Power heated leather seats are very comfortable. Interior is luxjurious and instruments and gauges are well positioned, very readible for day and well illuminated for night driving. XM Satellite radio with Bose sound system is incredible comnbination that gives exceptional listening experience. Beautiful and functional interior styling. 4X4 has great handling on highway and very nimble in city traffic. Wind noise is almost imperceptable when driving at highway speeds. Park feature of power exterior passenger mirror makes parallel parking a full size truck as easy as parking an automobile. This is a well build truck.

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  7 months of ownership & still great! - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By GMCcowboy - October 9 - 1:23 pm

  Bought my 2500HD 4x4 back in August. 8500 miles later, I still love the performance, comfort, and looks of it. Ive made one 900+ mile trip towing a 4,000 lb. trailer, and it drove like there was nothing attached to it. The interior comfort is excellent. The seats are very comfy, and the quality is outstanding. I have not had any problems to speak of. Im real impressed with this truck. The only downside is the gas mileage (to be expected). I average 12/13 in the city, 16-18 highway (depending on speed) and 12.5 towing a trailer on the interstate. Reckon the 6-speed auto helps the MPG a bit.

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  Good small truck - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Marcin Filip - October 9 - 12:27 pm

  Great small truck. 2.8 diesel is something to consider. 3.6 v6 is a bit sluggish, v6 is designed for a car not a truck.

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  Acadia from a Yukon - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Scott VanDerhei - October 6 - 8:49 pm

  I knew this car was noisy but didnt realize how noisy until I rode in a low end Subaru that my niece owns. When starting out it whines, my wife says it sounds like I am pulling a cats tail. The highway noise is unbelivable, you might as well have the windows open, in fact at times it howls like there is a window open. The ride is not as good as my 2011 Yukon which was not great, but was a great vehicle. The auto has 4100 miles on it and I am ready to sell it.

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  Better Than A Broomstick for Granny - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Dorothy J Granger - October 6 - 2:06 am

  Be prepared to be riding high. Be careful turning around curbs, you are not driving a car. The Acadia is a beautiful glorified pickup truck. But its still an awesome ride and a great looking, great driving machine.

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  Nice Ride! - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By David Martin - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Very nice looking exterior vehicle. Denali XL interior is definitely a step up from the Yukon XL, offering more of a luxury look. However GMC still uses that cheap looking plastic dash board and plastic knobs (mirror ajustors, door locks etc). Very Smooth ride and comfortable with the optional captains chairs (2nd row).

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  Great Ride Cheap Interior - 2008 GMC Yukon XL
  By Mike NY - October 2 - 12:56 am

  I bought the 2008 Yulon XL SE 4x4 in December 2008. I couldnt beat the deal, cheaper than my 1999. The vehicle is close to the base line model but is still nicely equipped. I averaged 17.5 MPG on a trip from NY to FL. The ride is very comfortable, quite, handles excellent, great in the snow, looks and sounds great. My only negative so far is the cheap fabric upholstry. We dont care for the leather and the fabric on my 1999 still looks as good as new. So far my only advice to GM is to improve the quality of the fabric. Everything sticks to it like glue. I found a lint brush for cleaning lint off clothes at the market and it works pretty well but it is still a lot of work to keep them clean.

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  GMC Lemon - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By First & Last GMC - October 1 - 9:23 am

  First & last GMC truck(2008 SLE 4- Wheel Drive, 5.3 engine). I just traded this truck with 1900 miles on it. The truck had vibrations in the front and passenger door. 3 trips and 14 days in the dealership did not solve the problem. My personal mechanic said the problem was in the powertrain. I gave up and took a loss. I told this story to General Motors and have not even had a reply! Fool Me Once!

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  Acadia looks Great but shifts poorly - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By roger baiers - October 1 - 8:40 am

  The Acadia was a Christmas gift for my wife. She fell in love with the looks so we never test drove prior to delivery. We are satisfied with the vehicle except for the 6 speed transmission. In moderately hilly driving the transmission changes gears from 3-4-5 constantly. The shifts happen after the vehicle slows down 5- 10 MPH and then the engine speeds up from 1800 RPMs to 3500 RPMs to bring the vehicle back to the speed desired. The shifts are herky jerky and to date the dealer and calls to GM Customer Care has brought about the same response, "That is the way they are". The software developers should drive the vehicles in various road conditions and go back to the drawing board.

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  15 months later, still a great truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By godblesstx - September 30 - 10:53 pm

  This is definitely a Cowboy Cadillac. Performance wise, the gas V8 has all the power youd need and tows my 7K # trailer with ease. The tranny shifts smooth but as another reviewer said, make sure you get the TCM flash for better kickdown response. The 2500HD pure pick up interior on the SLE not only looks great, its durable and functional as well. The front seats are great for long road trips. Im getting about 12 mpg around town and up to 17.5 mpg highway at speeds up to 65. Above that, it nosedives into the 12-14 range. Overall, Im completely happy with my truck after 15 months. Ive had no problems and plan to keep this for a long time.