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:

• 

  Great New Model - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Dave - May 13 - 7:55 am

  I researched all the SUVs in market and selected GMC Terrain on internet to go test drive and review. Loved the classic look, well built design and interior comfort. Ive put 2,000 miles of local travel so far and no complaints. Sound system nice, red light dash takes a little getting use to, but fun to have. Glad I purchased this model. Selected a 6 cyl off dealer lot w/18" wheel base. Carbon Black color is attractive.

• 

  Love at first sight, but.... - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By tryUSAagain - May 10 - 1:50 am

  When we first got this car, we absolutely loved it. Yes, the transmission was a bit jittery, but overall we just loved the look, ride, and comfort of this car. As time passed, however, problems have continued to arise. Just today, for the third time we are getting warning lights about the airbags. We have a transmission leak (car not even at 28,000 miles yet)and the car has been to the dealer more times in the few years weve owned it than all of the cars weve owned in the last 12 years combined. I really wanted to believe that GMC had turned the corner and was building quality cars again, but this car has done nothing but sour me on them. Looks great,rides great,but is a pain to own.

• 

  What once was, California ruined - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Lar - May 7 - 6:12 pm

  I purchased my black beauty, SLS crew with 50 miles on it. I never had a moments problem with it, until I moved to California. The gas destroyed my engine. From 25 hwy/18.5 city to 14.5 hwy/12.5 city. In 9 months. The roads are so crappy they shook the speakers off their mounts and the asphalt ripped up my tires. They were pristine at 15,000 and needed replacing when I traded it in at 25,000 in 2006. It broke my heart to let it go but I couldnt afford whatever would happen next. Sparkplugs, EPA accessories, hoses, and belts were all replaced at 23,000, but the MPG didnt recover. WARNING!! Dont bring a midwest vehicle to California, sell it and buy one made for out here.

• 

  SLT-1 3.0 V6 Nice! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By dolisa - May 7 - 9:27 am

  My husband was kind enough to say "I will buy it for you". His money is not wasted, I love my new ride. The red stitching on the leather seats was a nice surprise. The car has a great solid ride. Very little road noise. With the V-6, I was not expecting to get the best mileage, but it does get about 19 mpg. It will probably get a little better. Still, it only takes about 2 gal a day to go back and forth to work. Yeah for me!

• 

  Great Car, Great Value - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By bw626 - May 7 - 8:28 am

  Purchased the SLT 4X4 2500 Suburban new. Had all the options. I put 230,000 miles on it, wrecked it, fixed it, and put another 50,000 on it. Never did anything other than routine maintenace and brakes. I sold my Suburban after buying a new truck in 2007 for $3500-with a repaired title and 280,000 miles on it. These cars are reliable, comfortable, have incredible towing capacity, and have great resale value. Had plenty of room for passengers and cargo space. If you can find one of these used, buy it. They are wonderful cars.

• 

  Yukon Opinon - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By GM Opinion - May 6 - 4:42 pm

  Ive own this Denali for four years, and I give it high marks on almost everything. Ive also own a Ford Expedition and Toyotas Sequioa, and all have good and bad traits. Denali has the best motor, driver comfort, convenience options, and the reliablility has been great. The back seats suck for adult comfort, but my small kids like the captains chairs. The cheaply made front dash and instrument panel peel away. The dash and skweaky door panels are irritating enough to shop at Toyota or Ford next time. The space behind the third seat is stupidly small, and needs to be big enough for a cooler and a couple luggage bags.

• 

  Great Truck - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By Matt - May 5 - 11:38 am

  Great truck for doing things you need to do, without the gas of a full size. Great family car to take to the beach, worth every bit of money.

• 

  What did I do? Oh, I bought a Jimmy! - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Darrell - May 5 - 6:40 am

  I bought my Jimmy from a friend. As soon as I bought it I had to take it to Florida (about 800 miles one way). I noticed after it got to operating temperature, when the trans would shift it shifted hard. Checked the trans fluid at a rest stop and had to add. After adding the correct amount of fluid it shifted harder in every gear. Then I noticed the big trans leak. After it leaked down enough it shifted fine but dipstick dry. Electrical problems of many kinds. I had to take my critically ill wife to a specialty hospital and it broke down to and from the hospital with her in pain and me at night beside of the road trying to get her home. 2 days 200 miles. Still gives elec problems today any type strange

• 

  Looks good, Poor quality - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Bridget Barry - May 3 - 8:11 pm

  I love to drive this car however we have experienced many problems with it. The most serious by the time it had 39K the struts were gone, the lights no longer worked on the radio, and the remote car starter no longer worked. We cant seem to get GM or the dealership we bought it from to be helpful. We leased this vehicle because we dont want to have to fix these types of issues with any car. It had to go into the shop a few times to also have the transmission looked at. It still shifts rather hard and is noisy. We have a bench middle seat, the seats slides forward to access the 3rd row. These areas that the seats slide on are not smooth and makes moving the seats very difficult.

• 

  Love My SUV - 1998 GMC Yukon
  By Love My SUV - May 3 - 6:55 pm

  I bought my truck a few years ago, already used, with 100,000 miles already on it. I have been very satisfied with my truck. Very comfortable and roomy. I have had a few front end repairs such as suspension and etc. but no engine or transmission problems to date. I am currently over 200,000 miles and its still going strong. The fixes have been costly but few. I would recommend this truck to anyone who has the money for gas!