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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  Prepare for service! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By gmtruckman - October 16 - 11:19 am

  Very comfortable vehicle but many, many problems with all the little sensors plus the 5.3 liter motor has a major defect and burns oil. GM says 1 quart per 2,000 miles is okay but after 80,000 miles it burns double that. It will even fail inspection for a lean cylinder due to the oil consumption. The services stabilitrack / traction control will also pop on for you on multiple occasions. The tires monitoring system always needs to be reset, the cruise control works only when it wants too and the vehicle used allot of fuel. They say 13c/19hwy but on average you get 14.9 total.

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  Not so happy with my 2500HD - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Tim - October 15 - 2:00 am

  I had a dent on the hood when I purchased the truck. The push button 4 wheel drive went out (defective switch). The passenger side door module went bad (havent got it fixed yet, they cant get the part). The truck has 1300 miles. These trucks arent cheap and so far Im not impressed. GMC needs to clean up there act!

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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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  Love Hate - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By Amanda - September 10 - 8:40 pm

  This Yukon replaced an 04 Tahoe w/ electrical issue. Love the comfort & interior space. Unfortunately we had it in the shop 7 times for 8 warranty issues in the 1st 6 mo. Now its going through 6 quarts of oil in just 1,500 miles & Ive had numerous other issues that were all warranty related. Its in the shop for no less than a week due to the oil issue which GM is aware of but as advised the dealer not to attempt repair. Luckily I have a good dealer they are trying to resolve the issue but have to tear apart the engine to do so. This all in 19 mos of use. For the price its not worth the frustration & days without it! Too bad b/c other than the warranty & oil issues Id love it!

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  unhappy - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By Sharon - August 6 - 10:13 pm

  I have had the yukon back to the dealer meny times, for a water leak it took them over one year to fix it also burns oil and front end has a knock, I had ment with gmc and they were to buy it back, and when that day came the went back on the deal. This yukon has had 42 ingeriesas they are called, it has left me stranded two differnt times.windows dont work all the time, seats dont work, Garage door opener dont work but once in awhile.

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  GMC Quality does not hold up - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Gilby40 - July 22 - 4:10 pm

  Truck was very good for 1st 2 years....After that Ive had to replace a wiring harness that caused the 4wd to fail and now a front end hub dealer said was caused by a pot hole and or/ moisture buildup (no way! I would have remembered hitting something that hard) ...The repairs are over $900.00 so far...I fad 2 other GM trucks since 92....This is MY LAST GM anything....I can hardly wait to see what will happens when god help me I go over 50,000 miles.

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  Wind noise - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By zbanger - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Passenger side wing window wind noise terrible. Three trips to dealer with whole windo replaced. Problem still there.

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  Not the Best - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By rockytop2 - July 7 - 12:26 am

  My 2009 GMC Truck has 35000 and I have already had to put over a 1000.00 into it. First, after 2 years the Evap Vent went out covered under warranty, they replaced the vent. I went out again shortly after year 3 after warranty. Had to pay 500.00 for a special kit to be installed. This was a known problem but GMC would not pay. Year 4, the alternator went bad. 480.00 to replace. Now the steering is making a loud groaning noise when turning. Said may be a bushing and could cost a small fortune to fix. So I would never recommend GM to anyone and will never by another. In my opinion, any vehicle should go 5 years if taken care of without any issues. Pitiful product GM.

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  Needs Help - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Totally unimpressed - July 4 - 8:56 am

  Before buying this truck I owned a F250 V10. This truck was supposed to have 50 more hp and comparable torque but its lack of power is remarkable. My mpg is ok until I hook something behind it then its 5mpg... I have had no less than 20 warranty claims in 1 year. It absolutly can not handle any hitch weight without bottoming out. The sheet metal used to form the body is so thin the smallest bump and you have a dent. I really had high hopes that GM had a great truck but after the trans went out @ 6500 miles and many many other issues Ill admit I was wrong.. This pickup is fine for pulling your boat or cruising around but if you want a HD pickup do not buy this one.

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  watch out - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By bill - June 7 - 8:20 pm

  the defective casteck heads in my 5.3 leak coolant. this causes what sounds like bad lifter. know what heads are in your 5.3 before you buy, otherwise you could wind up with truck with repairs more than its value.