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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  Research before you buy I wish I did. - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Ronda - March 9 - 9:53 am

  I bought this SUV used out of desperation it was actually going to auction. Silly me shouldve let it go. This truck has been absolutely nothing but a nightmare. Ive replaced the transmission $1800. Drove it home to Michigan from sc and it actually died two blocks away from my in laws driveway. The plastic manifold is a joke it has melted twice with flames destroying gaskets so here goes another $400 in repairs. The driver side window works when it wants to, the gas Gage at 1/4 tank goes move up to 1/2 tank so you really never know how much gas you have in it. Its a money pit and in this economy who needs this! Dont buy this vehicle take it out back and put it out of your misery!

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  3500 mile check in - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By jj - March 8 - 6:42 pm

  After 3500 miles averaging 24 mpg in city. about 29 on the hwy. Still loving it more and more each day. Towed my enclosed trailer with 3 full size motocross bikes, and gear it towed excellent. The 4 cyl has plenty of power even when towing.

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  Very Disappointing - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Umper - March 8 - 12:41 pm

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle brand new. Loved the car had wonderful amenities. SLT with heated leather seats, moonroof, onstar, the works. Weve performed all of the scheduled maintenance. Its been garage kept for its entire life and driven less than 10 miles a day with the occasional trip out of town. Drove great UNTIL the warranty expired. Ever since then $$$. Heater stopped working. Weve poured over $3500 into it and it still wont blow hot. The GM mechanic had the nerve to come show my wife how to "properly" turn the heat on. What a jerk never buying GM again. Too many problems to list. Cant wait until its gone. This was a $35,000 piece of crap. No wonder GM needed a bailout.

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  Probably should have spent more $ - 1996 GMC Sonoma
  By Harold Brownstein - March 8 - 9:49 am

  I bought a 96 Sonoma,4 cyl.,stick for $2,500 (inc. tax & fees) in 6/2009. Shortly after purchase I spent $2,000 replacing the alternator, fuel pump & engine. For a small truck (4cyl) it rides well & has great pickup for a 4 cylinder vehicle. It gets 20+ MPG, maneuvers well & easily holds its own on the interstate. At 70 to 90 MPH it still rides good and is easy to handle. It is mediocre at best as far as blocking road noise. The AC is excellent, the radio (I think its original) plays well, and there is an extra input to plug in cell phone. Overall, I like it a lot. My wife hates it. She thinks it is too shaky & noisy, but she drives a 2007 E300.

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  Used Yukon SLT, No Regrets! - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By clm - March 5 - 11:07 am

  What can I say? This is probably one of the best vehicles we have ever owned. We replaced a 2002 Altima, due to needing a new family "truckster". This SUV has it all (every option except DVD and Nav). This vehicle only had 66K miles and is just breaking in. Quality and comfort are second to none. We especially like the fact that GMCs in general are a happy medium between luxury and work horses. We test drove a comparable Escalade and honestly passed it up because this SUV just "felt" better. No need to worry about cheap chrome accents, skinned bumpers, etc. Plenty of space, power, features, and drives like new. Cant say enough good things.

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  Needs more cup holders - 2009 GMC Envoy
  By John - March 2 - 12:22 pm

  This vehicle only has 2 cup holders for driver and passenger. The trailblazer has 3. There is only carpet for your left foot bump out on drivers side. The trailblazer had a cover over the carpet. The drivers seat is to big. It makes it difficult to get at the pockets in the door. The front bumper is flawed. There is no foam behind the bumper. In two spots where there is a support the metal pushes against the bumper causing it to bulge out. Car was only 2 months old when this was noticed. Dealer was suppose to replace bumper but they bondod the bumper. You could see where it was bondod. I had a fit.

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  Navigation and Trunk Release problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Al - March 2 - 11:34 am

  We have a 2008 GMC Acadia. In less than a year and a half, the Navigation quit working. We took it back to the dealership and they said it would cost around $2,000 to replace it. Now the trunk release is not working properly. This will be our last GMC automobile. We expected higher quality for the price we paid.

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  I couldnt be happier - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By cdmgolfcarts - March 1 - 10:49 am

  I live in Southern California and demand a lot out of my vehicles. I spend time in the mountains, off- road, towing a boat and a trailer as well as hauling people around. This past weekend I was able to take my new Denali up to the local mountains and as lucky enough to be there for a decent sized storm. The truck hard no problem at all driving through the rough conditions. It gave me and my 5 passengers a good sense of security as we tooled around town without any heart stopping moments. I have a 23 Centurion Enzo wake-boarding boat that weighs roughly 6,000 lbs. and is a piece of cake to tow with the powerful 6.2 L engine. Gas mileage isnt good but its what you can only expect.

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  Almost bought an Audi Q5 - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By LLA - February 27 - 12:51 pm

  We stumbled across the Acadia on a whim after an Audi salesman was not forth right about the models on his car lot. The Acadia is a great choice for a family SUV. My daughter loves the second row captains seats because they are cozy and they even recline, I love the comfort and my husband loves the style. The ride is comfortable. We recently took it on a road trip that included going on some uneven dirt roads. It did an awesome job. When driving it feels bigger than it is. The safety ratings are also great. We traded our 10 year old Suburban for this car so I feel good about the longevity of a GMC product and I feel alot better about buying an American Car.

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  Run away from - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By DAVIS - February 26 - 10:52 am

  My acadia has been in the shop numerous times. Twice for leaking sun roof- dealership says (twice) it fixed will be ok- who designs a car that has water coming into your sunroof? Lift gate supports at (30K miles, road Miles) malfunctioned and when it fell it almost hit my 3 yo grandbaby, would have hurt her badly or worse. The rattle in dashboard has never been fixed. Now of the worse the steering gear had to be replaced at 45k miles. At 924.46.... Never in all of my vehicles have i had such a lemon.... i quote from another "DO NOT buy this vehicle. I love the look- I love the performance, but it is not worth the frustrations" buy something othere than GMC