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:

• 

  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.

• 

  OK truck that misses the mark - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Kevin - April 27 - 4:02 am

  Overall this truck gets kudos for good ride quality and low noise levels. However, the 2.5L 4Cyl. doesnt belong in this vehicle. The gas mileage is horrible. I have averages just a tick over 19MPG in 18K miles of driving. Ive owned full size trucks with V-8 motors that deliver almost the same economy. In the city, this truck barely delivers 17. There is a persistent sound of rushing water near the heater core when the truck is cold, a problem GM cannot fix. The transmission hunts for gears at the slightest incline on the highway. The transmission will slip from 3rd to 4th gear on occasion and it gets confused when driving in traffic and will make abrupt downshifts. The steering wanders and the truck veers at the slightest inputs on the highway. The light switch and 4wd drive switch are located out of view and are blocked by the steering wheel. The cruise control light is in the area between 65-75 MPH on the speedometer and gets blocked by the needle. The radio display goes dark sometimes for no reason and other times shows a distracted driving warning at random. The On Star system randomly tells me the car is equipped with On Star. The engine stumbles at idle like it has a misfire. The rear seats are utterly useless, they should have at least put a bench seat in the rear so you can sit sideways. The truck is equipped with a power seat, auto headlights, bluetooth, power window/locks, rear defrost, cruise, back up camera, etc. but GM in their brilliancy doesnt offer power mirrors with this package and they continually wiggle out of adjustment. Yes, thats a lot of complaining. I will say, it offers a much better ride than a Tacoma but there are too many bugs in this car to consider it again, especially with a $32,000 sticker price.

• 

  Great Comfort - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By Thom - April 4 - 2:00 am

  There have been a few major problems that need to be replaced or worked on, like the Fire wall bolts were lose, the rear fan had to be replace as well as the front driver side heated seat quick working and had to be replaced. I have worked through a dealership and they have taken care of everything with no hassle. On another note, the ride is great. It is a Cadillac ride without the car appearance. It keeps you warm in the winters and cool in the summers and allows you to see all around you with little effort, which allows for easy driving.

• 

  Never again - 2012 GMC Sierra 1500
  By kti2 - March 19 - 4:21 pm

  Will not buy again. Had the 6 speed manual which kept slamming into 6th gear, apparently its a common problem and its considered "normal" only a year later and the door handles started breaking (100 a piece)w/ install and master power switch failed, and all 4 door moldings fell off. These types of problems I can see if they developed 4-5 years down the road, not in 1 year. Not a 2nd time buyer

• 

  Envoy 2004 SLE - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By TBSR - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Love the way it drives and looks, BUT, very bad wind noise on highways goign over 55, does anyone have this problem? Didnt know if it is the car or a bad seal?

• 

  Worse MPG than my "91 Suburban - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By SamanthaSpade - February 19 - 10:00 am

  I replaced my 1991 Suburban. Thats the Old Old tank model. The 03 xl shakes you with every little bump in the road. At first it would bump my foot off the gas petal. This is not a heavy duty, made to last truck. The metal is very thin. You should not lean against the truck it may pop inwards on the metal. OK so I am getting use to this, but a truck thats half the weight of the 1991 Burb and not as solidly build interior or exterior, about 1/2 less leg room and storage compartment, and less the extra amenities, (1991 was a 2500 upgraded interior), I HOPED THE GAS MILEGE FOR ALL THESE MINUS WOULD MEAN BETTER GAS MILEAGE, GUESS AGAIN. My 91 was about 12-14MPG all around. My 03 xl gets just over 11 all around. UGH! I did not purchase for the gas mileage, I purchased for safety. BUT I thought I would get 2+ MPG better in the xl. I write so your not expecting what the advertisement says UP to14city -17on the highway. the Up to is really stretching it.

• 

  Worst SUV ever - 2001 GMC Yukon XL
  By Alfonso Ocampo - January 31 - 6:16 pm

  Worst vehicle I have ever bought. Spent a lot of money on this truck. This SUV slips way too much in snow even with 4wd on. I changed the battery on this truck twice, brakes were horrible they couldnt be fixed, and power for this beast needs to be improved. GM dissapointed me. GMC you just fell in the same class as a Ford.

• 

  Engine failure at 110,000 miles - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By Frank Pocino - January 12 - 12:38 pm

  I had to replace my Yukon with brand new engine at 110,000 miles because of cam/lifter failure. No help from GM or dealer. Apparently I am not alone. I have owned four Yukons/Suburbans. This is my last.

• 

  Good for the first 60K miles - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Bayou - December 2 - 11:43 am

  This truck has been great for the fist 60K of its life, but has become a money pit after. I had front end alignment problems. Altenator went which killed the battery, cause several instances of me needing a jumpstart and a tow. Now both my front hub bearings went and the windshild washer heater module went. ALl the fluid would empty out randomly. GM dealer told me I was lucky the front wheel didnt fall off. That is great to hear when my kids are in the car! Door handle chrome is peeling and slitting my finger open like a razor blade. Lights are burned out on the seat heater switches on the door. I was hoping to buy anthother GMC but with all these problems, I dont know.

• 

  Endless Major Repairs - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By ck123 - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the vehicle for 13 mths. There have been major repairs. I have spend more time and money on repairs on this GMC than on my three previous vehicles combined in 12 years- Acura,Honda and Nissan. GMC repairs include: 4 wheel drive control switch, fuel pump/sending unit, front wheel bearings, power DR-side window motor. The fuel pump has been the most dangerous to date: the vehicle stalled without warning while travelling on I-40. Power brakes & steering were lost; I drifted until the vehicle came to a stop. The fuel pump had already been changed once and all power window motors had been replaced twice because of failure.