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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  Better Fuel Pump Required - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By NativeTxan - April 11 - 10:00 am

  A great vehicle with a few very bad exceptions. Have replaced the fuel pump 3 times in 45,000 miles. A rip in the leather, and GMC refused to repair it (claiming I cut it - WRONG).

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  Best vehicle Ive owned - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KFayal - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck. I have the 5.3 liter V8 Sierra 1500 SLT. This truck is almost like a car in comfort and features. For the driver and passenger its hard to tell that you are in a truck. The engine has power on tap. Almost 2.5 years of ownership and Ive had only one small manufacturer warranty item replaced: the gas gauge.

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  05 GMC Sierra Dually - 2005 GMC Sierra 3500
  By drew - April 11 - 5:00 am

  Great truck! Traded in 01 F350 7.3L for the GMC. The GMC is much more driver friendly with comfort and a more car like feel. Power from the Duramax is very good as compared to the "chipped out" F350. On the downside, the truck, although a softer feel overall, is a bit more bouncy than the Ford. Interior room is much smaller in the front and rear of the crew-cab.

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  Great suv - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By dagger7232 - April 10 - 10:15 pm

  We have owned this truck since 2003 and have driven it far and hard. We currently have 220,000 miles on it and it is still running strong. has plenty of power and we use it to haul our boat a lot. Tough build quality and durability. Only issues we have had is the parking brake light, and the engine knocking a bit but its at 210,000 miles. We do not have the 4x4 but I have a 2003 silverado and the 4x4 has had plenty of issues, so I am assuming this would be true for this model also. However for the two wheel drive nothing drive train related has gone wrong all we do is change oil, brakes, and general maintenance. only issue has been parking break light staying on.

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  Excellent value for the money - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Mike C - April 7 - 2:10 pm

  I looked at several vehicles before settling on the 2017 GMC Arcadia. Im a very flashy guy and have been driving the 2013 Cadillac XTS. However after having two small kids and needing the hall things from time to time it was time to grow up and get something more family from friendly. however after having two small kids and needing the haul things from time to time it was time to grow up and get something more family friendly. I looked at for something stylish and full of tech features. And I found that and the Arcadia is not too big not too small it seems to be just right. I got the Captain chairs in the back my only complaint would be that my two year old can fiddle with the rear heat and air conditioner controls in the back. It seems like everything is too easily in his reach. But thats the nature of having the two year old. But for the money and my budget this truck does his purpose is not a MDX or Cadillac XT5 but is well worth the money.

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  What A Truck - Diesel/Allison Combo - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Happy GMC Owner - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought this last May, love the Duramax/Allison Combo - pulls my 10000 pound 5th wheel like it wasnt there. 12 MPG @ 65 MPH - nooo problem. Very stable on the road.

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  Great Truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Keith - April 4 - 6:23 am

  I drove them all. GMC still offers the work truck and although it might be too spartan for some, I found it to be the right balance of form and function. Also, if price is an object (isnt it always)this baby rocks. I use my trucks like, well, trucks. And if I had had to spend $40,000+ on something else, I might be guilty of babying my truck. Then why by a truck? I had a bedliner sprayed in, and now it sees full duty as my primary working, boat pulling, camping, wheeling vehicle. Fit and finish are very nice. Plenty of power with the 6.0L. Even the cloth bench seats are comfy.

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  glad we discovered it. - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By mrodoc - April 2 - 3:40 am

  We have been looking for quite a while. We checked out EVERYTHING, even the lux brands. There seemed to be no good values out there. The only quality we found was in the very expensive price range. Because of past experience, we didnt even consider buying American. Then we saw a Terrain add, did online searches and read reviews. After visiting the dealer and test driving, we were sold on a SLT-2. Drives solid, quiet, and handles better than the foreigners. The interior is functional, spacious and beautiful. The exterior is cutting edge, macho, yet elegant. The chrome wheels rock. I was glad to suppport American industry again after 30 yrs. of buying foreign

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  Not Enough Professional Grade - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Ken - April 1 - 10:33 am

  Three days after purchase the truck was in the shop with transmission problems. It was there for four days leaving me without a business truck. I now have to take it back because the transmission is causing more problems. There is a thumping noise behind the dash that I cant locate. The ride is fine for a heavy duty truck. I really expected more from GMC. The seats are too narrow and Im a short person. I traded in a 2000 Yukon. I will be looking at the 2007 Tundra next year.

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  exellent suv better then the explorer - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By lenny levy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  i think this suv it has the saftey features not like the ford explorer this has on star which i can use if i get into an accident i now that on star automaticly calls for help and they know your exact location this compared to the ford this is like gold and the ford is like dirt and also the ford dealers dont care about there customers they will just sell you the car and never speak to you again.