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:

• 

  UH OH- did they do this to all GMCs? - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Kevin UPDATE - September 30 - 8:46 pm

  Ok guys, this is my update. I sold my 09 gmc after owning it for 8 months. When I did, it had 17 service records! The clunk and hard shift you have on the transmission was due to a part installed backwards! I had the sounds of rocks in the rolling wheels at slow speeds, and sloshing gasoline sounds when pulling out of the driveway. I was at the dealership so many times I got to know the staff! For appearance sake, the truck was gorgeous, but mechanically, it grew very old very fast. I spoke to a friend who bought a silverado, and he had the same transmission problems. So lets hope theyve fixed it by now! Im buying a Ford next! I didnt even look at them before I bought my gmc. Big mistake! Bad bad!

• 

  Mysteriously appearing miles - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Bill Rodgers - September 19 - 9:50 am

  Our family loves the new Acadia, but it seems to be mysteriously accumilating miles. Our GMC dealer has been great, but since the transmission recall (campaign) the service department can not duplicate the problem. The problem appears to be in one or all three of the computers. GMC needs to figure this out fast. Until then, I would like them to buy back the vehicle.

• 

  50k dollars lemon - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By haytham - September 11 - 10:00 am

  i had aknok in the engin and sliping in the trans. from day one of buying my 2002 gmc denali xl in july of 2002. the dealer and gmc gave the runaround for monthes untill they admited that there is a problem. they changed the engin for me but the transmission still not fixed. they offerd that they will lubricate the shaft till 60k and that should take care of the problem. gmc and evans way of handelling this problem made me decide to never buy gmc cars ever.all truck 1998-2002 has these problems acoarding to their memos. in the next month if nothing gets done i am trading my denali xl to a ford.

• 

  Not a fan - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By notafan - September 9 - 9:13 am

  The fuel economy of this truck leaves a lot to be desired. My truck is GPSd so I am only able to drive the speed limit without getting in trouble. The best I have ever got for fuel economy is 14.8 mpg (imperial gallons). The quality of the truck is less than desirable. In cold weather (less than -20c) the back doors will not latch completely without slamming them hard. I actually knocked the molding off the door trying to get it latched. When the doors are closed they squeak and rattle so bad you have to turn the radio up. I have had to install a second battery to get the truck to start after sitting for more than 3 days. The airbag computer already stopped working and needed replacing.

• 

  Envoy: Spanish for garbage? - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By crabman - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Heres a partial list of problems Ive had: Air conditioning went out. Stereo goes out intermittantly. The air shocks wont level, so the compressor runs constantly and when the car sits for more than an hour it lists like a sinking boat. (its been in the shop 4 times for this and still isnt fixed) Rear hatch moulding shrank into the inside of the door. I currently have a water leak in the driver side. (I live in Seattle, so its wet a LOT) The engine hood latch squeeks and must be lubed every couple of weeks. The car lurches occassionally at a stop light. The fit and finish of the vehicle is lousy. Body trim has had to be re- glued etc.

• 

  Nice but not trouble free. - 2004 GMC Yukon XL
  By Josh - July 29 - 9:03 pm

  We bought this to pull our travel trailer and haul the four kids around. Towing power is nice but the interior is not nearly as useful as the Honda Odyssey we traded in. In the last 4 months we have had to change the thermostat, have the gauge cluster replace, and have an air bag light coming on and off. Not trouble free by any standard. This is a really nice vehicle but the quality is not all that great. Just make sure to have money set aside for repairs!

• 

  Sierra Duramax/Allison - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By SMD - July 20 - 1:46 am

  Fuel mileage is poor at best. Engine surge and hesitation. Driveability is very eratic. Vehicle runs hot, fan runs excessively. Tranny and engine temp gauges always show 210 or better. All this while running vehicle empty. When towing all of the above is off the charts. GM answer is that all is normal.

• 

  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.

• 

  2014 Sierra Chassis components (RUST everywhere!!!) - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By 2014sierra - May 28 - 1:01 am

  As I stated in my earlier comment, I like this Truck! However, the RUST on the frame rails, cross members, rear axle, body mount brackets (the whole chassis) is totally unacceptable! I am beyond mad at the lack of Corrosion Protection Quality taken . My 2014 Sierra frame has more RUST than the 15 year old GM pickup I traded in for this "new" Sierra. The worst part is there is no way to fix this corrosion, other than the "silent TSB" band-aid @ the dealership! Shame on you GM

• 

  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.