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:

• 

  Excellent concept, exceedingly poor execution. - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By cmf - December 28 - 8:42 pm

  Bought car to suit family of 5 as better alternative to a minivan. Excellent seating arrangement for 7 adults or multiple carseats Unreliable from first weeks off lot. Car DIED while driving many times in 2 years until GM finally dug deeper and ended up completely rebuilding the engine! Traction control fails to control wheel spin, which GM considers normal. Balded front tires and never felt safe on wet roads. Transmission lags at speed that GM considers normal, making car feel unsafe during passing. This car was serviced by GM for no less than 20 days during our 2 1/2 year ownership. Interior has lots of plastic and lacks durability. Most expensive unsafe, unreliable car ever owned

• 

  Could be better.... - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By volvo2robot - December 28 - 6:41 pm

  i am impressed with the v8 like engine and rain sensing wipers. The stability control proved it self very useful when it saved me from a 60mph accident... it handles superbly on the snow and mountains with minimal engine groans... i happened to lean on the center console and the whole thing came up and dislodged itself i simply clicked it right back. i HATE the rear seats there is very little leg room and are very inconvenient to fold. after a year of owning it, we heard an odd buzz we took it to a dealer and it turned out to be a sensor. Another complaint is that the power adjustable seats broke down on the drivers side and the doors screech and the lift gate window opens when it wants to.

• 

  Great SUV - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By William Daly - December 28 - 5:46 pm

  Traded in a loaded 2002 Trailblazer LTZ for the loaded Acadia SLT2. As much as I loved the LTZ, this one has it beat in every way (except the LTZ had the rain sensor wipers). Only 4 months old but the milage is better than the LTZ even with AWD. The headsup display is great as are the heated/cooled seats. Enough storage space with the rear seat folded down, but plenty more with the second row captains seats folded down. Really soomth ride with plenty of power. The Nav system is superior to my old Garmin unit. Not crazy about the plastic chrome interior trim. Looks cheap. Could use an upgrade in this area. All in all more than satisfied.

• 

  Loyal Customer - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Acme - December 27 - 9:00 pm

  Bravo! GMC has finally done it. What a truck. After owning over 30 GM trucks in the last 25 years I decided in 2001 that my next truck would be a Ford. Thought I would try one. After checking for recalls on the Sierra and the 150 I was very sceptical about the Ford. Drove them both. No contest. Boy trucks have really changed in the last few years. The improvements and appointments of this truck are far to numerous to itemize here. GMC has redefined the term, "Base Truck". This is the first truck I have ever owned that I was 100% pleased with. It is a good value, fair price, great truck. Ford is way behind this truck, Dodge is a joke. Bravo GMC!

• 

  Overall - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Paul Johnson - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I find the MPG very dissapointing. The tank is too small for this MPG. Light trailer pulling (under 2,000 lbs)VERY disappointing. Like a dog...passing gear most of the time. A 6,000 lb hitch is a joke for this poor power plant. Style,design and comfort is great.

• 

  eh not bad - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By tom - December 25 - 8:42 pm

  pricey compared to foreign models with all the bells and whisles(4 runner, pilot). little things at $44k, like memory seats, tilt mirrors in reverse, anti hill roll, trailer tow, and navigation. I bought it because I did get good pricing and I liked the look. outward rear visability poor. I traded in a 2003 suburban I averaged 14.2 mpg. I am a shocked,7 model yrs later mpg is only slightly better. It doesnt sound solid when you close the front doors. close the front doors on a honda pilot, wow. I have only 400 miles so far so well see if it grows on me.

• 

  Look elsewhere - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By joe d - December 25 - 2:04 am

  A total piece of JUNK.Get on the hwy,step on the gas,no response.Transmission stinks.Back up warning system,rapid beeping when one inch from object.Not enough time for warning,might as well run over object.Warning light too high,cant see them.All buttons in dashboard area,too small, too many and too confusing.Radio hard too figure out how to use.Windshield wipers a dial,hard to find and operate.Foreign cars have a lever,for wiper,to operate,push up,push down,easy to find easy to use.Worst feature,engine response terrible.DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

• 

  Solid Purchase - 2000 GMC Yukon XL
  By JSchaeffer - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle in 2002; serves as my company car and also family trip wagon. Engine and transmission very solid, good handling for a platform of this size. Avg 19mpg interstate, about 14 in town. 4WD very effective on ski trips; upgraded from Firestone to Michelin at 50K miles - worth the extra cost in ride and reduced noise

• 

  Family Truck/ Cost in Gas - 1995 GMC Suburban
  By GMC owner - December 22 - 12:55 pm

  Bought in 2008, This truck is a great truck , does everything including great cargo space. plenty of room for a growing family like mine. I have right now over 207k on the original engine and cranks everyday, had to replace brakes more than twice, but thats it. I have put about 50k on the engine. It has very poor gasoline, as you can imagine. takes 100.00 a week to keep going. That will break you over time. I am going to park it or sell it now because of that. And it needs some repair.

• 

  water leakage - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Denise - December 22 - 10:34 am

  We too are having problems with water inside the vehicle.Pretty embarrassing having passengers notice water is dripping from the dome light in the back seat and they get wet putting on their seatbelt. We have had it to the shop three times now, first it was the drain tubes, then they said it was the roof rack and now thirdly, its the sunroof. (they admitted fixing the drain tubes incorrectly on the first visit) Water dripped from the dome light, from the seatbelts, under the driver side soaking the floor board. We had it leak onto the dash board from the inside window. As much as we all spend on these GMCs this is unacceptable. We hope there is no long term damage. FRUSTRATING!!