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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  Pig on Gas - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Mike - June 19 - 3:50 pm

  Expecting equal or better fuel economy to my last vehicle which was a Jeep, I was disappointed to only get about 14mpg average 30% lower than expected. The ride is smooth, although after 3 months rattles with the doors and undercarrage have started to appear, a few features like the rear wiper switch being on the highbeam switch which easily gets turned on by mistake when switching the highbeams. and chrome accents that reflect the sun in your eyes. But for the little amount of snow I drove it in the handling and traction was great, Dont let anyone lean on your Acadia as the panels dent easy. For a GM vehicle it was better than expected, but still not great.

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  great S U V - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By marvin14 - June 16 - 1:48 am

  love my Denali i am approaching 167K i only replaced the fuel pump this year i had it for 7 years, i put new tires 3 years ago

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  Middle of the road - 1997 GMC Suburban
  By texan - June 13 - 3:31 pm

  This SUV is OK. Not bad but not real great. The fuel pump has gone out 4 times and the AC broke. Not bad for 147,000 miles. Handles nicely but hard to park

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  Solid Machine - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By TG - June 9 - 4:16 am

  Ordered truck new when 3/4 tons became avaialble. Ordered the 40/20/40 front seating, a big help when using the truck as a P/U filling the entire back, which is why I bought a truck and not a soccer mom SUV. rdered with 3.73 gears and put taller LT235/85/R16 tires. With the combo I get 17 mpg on the highway, with 2000 lbs of stuff and cruising at 70 mph. Has been very reliable, not to say that I have not had to have repairs done, most expensive was replacement of the exhaust manifold bolts, 3 broke off, mechanic said it was a design fault. New bolts were much beefier. Can tow 10K lbs with ease. If you are looking for economy, by a Prius, but I would not want to drive it for 16 hours.

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  id buy another - 1999 GMC Sierra 1500
  By satified - June 1 - 10:00 am

  great vehicle, this is the second one ive owned. only promblem is it rides like a luxuray car and youll hesitate to take it off road for that reason.

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  high oil consumption ,delay in throttle response and cheaply built parts - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By nickb407 - May 29 - 11:14 pm

  6.0 litre vortex max...i love the looks of it and it really is a hard working truck. at 2 years of age i was using aprox 1 1/2 quarts of oil between changes. at three to four years old. i couldnt make it a full oil change before getting a low oil light ( about 3 quarts low). no leaks, just burning it. also its a huge truck with little leg room for me. and a sometimes very scary delay in throttle response. when hitting the gas to cross a busy street and it doesnt move for a full second seems like an hour!! and very cheaply made parts.... a stabilizer link made from plastic!! really?! how ridiculous

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  Bad (good) Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By shasta33 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Truck is great. Needs better fuel economy and a bigger gas tank. Great power and transmition (8.1 / Allison).

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  GMC 2500 hd - 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By eheahey - May 25 - 9:16 pm

  Good reliable truck. poor interior design for room (my 2003 was much better) 1st bose radio I have ever had that was worth the money. Satellite radio very dissapointing.

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  Buyer Beware! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By TINA - May 25 - 12:20 am

  We recently bought the Acadia because we wanted a car with better gas mileage than our Expedition. Big disappointment. We are only getting about 12 mpg. Since the sticker advertised 16 city/24 highway, you can imagine my surprise when I only got 12. The car is beautiful in design and interior layout is excellent. But if youre looking for a wonderful car with great gas mileage, buy something else. I will be getting rid of this car as soon as possible. Looks arent everything and if GMC cant do better than to make a vehicle with such poor gas mileage, they should stop making them. Ill take my Expedition back anyday.

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  NDN 99 GMC - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By NDN 99 GMC - May 24 - 7:45 pm

  I bought this vehicle new in SEP 98 and 123,000 miles later, still runs strong. Being military and family of six, I needed a tough vehicle. Been through deserts of South West at 116 degrees to Yukon and Alaska at -27 degrees. Yep, the rear view temp reads negative. Always ran with Mobil1 Syn oil. I love my GMC but three fuel pumps (out at 30K miles each), three batteries (broken at terminal), ate brakes pads, warped front rotors (solved with Power slots), broken door handle, glove box lid, cooling hoses at 90K miles, T-Box at 65K, steering mechanism at 102K, barn door handle x 2, seat heater died...leaks sometime but from where? We love this truck. Will repair/upgrade and keep.