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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  Offroading Monster - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By schwiggy55 - June 24 - 3:15 pm

  This Jimmy took every beating i threw at it and it still runs like a champ. It handles great in the mountain and good enough on the snow. The only problem is the gas milage. But this is one of the most reliable cars ive ever had.

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  The Big Terrain is a great family vehicle - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By John L - June 24 - 8:51 am

  We traded our 2013 Acadia Denali AWD for the 2017 comparably equipped. The first thing you notice is the cargo area is (somewhat meaningfully) smaller and the exterior looks a lot like the old Envoy (we viewed it as a downgrade vs the previous mode Acadias). From the exterior it looks like a super sized Terrain but is much roomier inside. While the cargo space was a hangup they did a great job preserving very comfortable passenger space in the first and second rows. The 3rd row is now 2 seats and tight but it was tight before and nobody would try to seat 3 people of any size back there anyway. There is a huge difference in the feel of driving this. It now handles like a crossover and not a truck. I think the transmission is smoother, it all feels much lighter and its still very comfortable on highway. The infotainment system is a revolution from the previous (and awful) GMC system. Apple CarPlay is intuitive, reliable and simple. Great interface, especially for navigation. Safety features are also a plus. The backup sensors vibrate the drivers seat if youre getting too close going either forward or backward and the forward parking camera is a good addition to the rear camera and cross-traffic sensors. There is also a red indicator on the windshield and seat vibration if someone brakes in front of you (or 2 cars in front) while at speed which is effective but subtle. While we miss the cargo room, lets be honest: at least in suburbia this vehicle is a kid-hauler and not a large cargo transport and you wont miss the extra cargo space 95% of the time. We do miss the heads up display (HUD) that was eliminated in the 2017. All in all weve been very happy with the redesign and love this car.

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  Great SUV - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By DaveB - June 22 - 10:42 pm

  Traded 2003 Expedition for Denali after driving new Expedition, BMW X-5, Acura and Mazda SUVs’. Denali is smooth and by far the most powerful. It is very comfortable on long trips and is easy to drive. I also have a Mercedes S430 and I prefer driving the Denali on long trips. Positives include styling, new interior, comfort of seats, power, and ease of handling. Negatives are lack of fold flat third row seat, folding covers for cup holders and the little storage compartment on center console make the openings smaller than on Tahoe, and they fold the wrong way-making you lift cups over the door. Minor stuff though compared to the great feeling I get when driving this truck. 3500 miles and happy

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  Need better side mirrors - 2001 GMC Savana
  By 3500 savanah van - June 21 - 5:51 pm

  I use my van mostly to pull my fishing boat to the ocean. The van needs side mirrors that extend out, for better visibility when backing up in tight spaces. I’ve seen some nice ones on Ford pickups. Some mirrors extend and retract and fold against the truck when not driving. I love my van. I just stow all my fishing gear in holders. Just lock the van and youre ready for the next trip.

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  2500 HD GMC - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Enymoose - June 20 - 9:43 pm

  I highly recommend this version of the GMC to those who do not mind a stiff ride that will pull anything a truck is supposed to pull. The 6.0 engine coupled with the 4.10 rearends give it enough power to pull a house off of its foundation if you wanted to put it to that type of test. I put it to the test using the 4X4 at Ft. Fisher, NC in sand that others were getting stuck up in and had no problems once I dropped the air pressure down to 20 lbs per tire from the origional 60. The fishing was great also. Ive had 9 other 4X4s, between Ford and Chevys and this GMC is by far the

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  Disappointing - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Uneasy - June 20 - 10:33 am

  I previously owned an F150 that had no problems at all. This was my first GM product. When the honeymoon period wore off, it lost its luster. The heater fan quit in the dead of winter, and the transmission needed to be worked on. Both repairs left me with loaner vehicles for a long period of time. Not convienent. I guess my first GM experience hasnt sold on me.

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  Great truck - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By Ed - June 12 - 8:25 pm

  Had an S-10 before this, and although I believe the interior was nicer and more comfortable in the S-10, I love the crew cab for my family. The truck runs great, but I think gas mileage should be better than 24 (get about 24 exactly). Biggest problem I have had is the wear of the front tires. The alignment seems off and the inside is wearing odd. Dealer repeatedly tells me this is normal, I dont see how. I have over 50000 on it and I like it as much as when I bought it. Seems like the S-10 was more refined and corners where cut to get this to a price point, there are absolutely no frills or extras, but bottom line, I would buy it again.

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  2000 GMC 1500 SLE - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Jay Dee - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Good truck. In 4 years, the only problem experienced was the power window on the passenger side quite working. It was covered under warrentee.

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  I love this truck! - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By ~*elle*~ - June 2 - 2:43 am

  This is my 2nd Jimmy. I bought my beautiful truck used with 100,000 kms and Ive had no problem with it other than a few minor things like replacing the battery, very little paint coming off the roofrack, small coolant leak which was quickly fixed by the dealership I bought it from. I love this truck even though the gas mileage stinks bigtime for city driving. Love the cold air, sunroof, and heated leather seats.

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  New truck with some issues - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Philip - June 2 - 2:28 am

  Transmission shifts rough. Poor fit and finish, cheap plastic, two parts broke first week , one on the first day. Finally got them replaced. Oil indicator is messed up, had 53% life with 250 miles, now has 850 miles and only 40% now. Either not reset at the factory correctly or the electronics are messed up. The truck looks great, is fairly comfortable, just rough over bumps, but it is a truck. I have read a lot of horror stories today about GMs customer service and that frightens me. This is first $40,000 vehicle I have ever owned and now that I am retired I had hoped to have a good truck that would last for a long time. I hope it does and that I dont have to deal much with customer service. I will speak with the customer satisfaction representative tomorrow at Linus GMC and see if he can get me some help with the oil indicator issue. I still like the truck, just hope nothing else crops up.