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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  a great SUV - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By miguel - December 21 - 10:03 am

  I traded in my 03 Pathfinder for the Yukon. I havent looked back since i love the way it drives, and the cargo space is 3 times better than the Pathfinder. Gas mileage is about the same as the smaller SUVs 14 city 17- 18 hwy. I have replaced the rear brakes and front brakes, I need to replace the water pump. I do most of the repairs myself, the parts are not expensive they are easy to come by. It can drive thru the snow with no worries. I love the truck and will not get rid of it anytime soon.

• 

  best yet - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By underpressureinc - December 20 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this truck brand new, actually bought a toyota first but found the mileage and power to lacking for the needs I had. this truck filled the bill alright, she has towed a trailer almost everyday and has been used as a working route truck.I have had not one problem with this truck even the tires have lasted longer than expected for stock run of the mill general tires. I love this truck but its time to move on to a new work truck I think I will do it all over with another short box gmc 1500 ! what a great investment this was for our co.

• 

  Awesome - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Nick - December 20 - 7:03 pm

  I just bought this vehicle, and it is awesome. Its fun to drive, and everything about it is made for ease of use. I love the usb port for my ipod, and I love the self lifting rear door. Its nice to get up in the morning and have the remote start so its warmed up to go to work. I bought the SLT-2 V6, and it has just the right amount of power and pickup. For those that dont like the red lighting, I think its great. For those that said you couldnt read it, maybe you needed eye correction anyway.

• 

  Nice!!! - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By justa25thta - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Although I have had the truck less than a week, it is really nice. Nice ride, looks great, gas mileage is already improving (should be about 16 mpg for the first tank and should get better). Big enough for the whole family and groceries in the back. It was this truck or a SUV, like the truck much better. Drove the Ford SuperCrew (Nice interior materials!) and the Nissan Titan. They are both nice, but the GMC had $6000 in rebates! That sealed the deal. Real glad I went with the GM!

• 

  An Uneasy Feeling - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Ro-Ro - December 17 - 11:03 am

  We owned the 2007 Acadia less than three years. First 2.5 were great. Only complaints were poor rear visibility and bad fuel economy. THEN, major breakdown with kids in car. The water pump went. 1 week in shop. TWO months later, another major breakdown with kids in car. This time they couldnt figure out what was wrong. Transmission and engine problems. ALMOST 3 weeks in shop. I have now lost all faith in the vehicle. Thank goodness it was still under warranty. Id never buy another.

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  2nd opinion - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Martin - December 16 - 11:21 am

  Have now driven the vehicle 20,000 miles, nearly all in Mexico. Good news is that I have had no mechanical problems at all and the car is very useful for hauling people and baggage. However, gas mileage remains unsatisfactory. Even at sea level, averaging around 55mph, mileage never goes over 18 miles per gallon. Have had the vehicle checked twice for gas consumption, with the computer showing no problems. I cannot believe other, much higher, mileage reports. Local GMC dealer confirms that real gas mileage does not come close to advertised numbers.

• 

  sonoma review - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By Sonoboy - December 15 - 1:46 pm

  Great little truck. Have a plow mount for it and it works great. Easy sight lines in reverse. Nice, comfortable interior. A/C works good, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, reading lights in the mirrors, mirror defrost option is really handy!!! Decent leg room, a little crampy on longer rides for big guys. Powerful motor that gets the job done. Nice package. Plenty of bed room and the extended cab provides a nice area for extra storage when you need it.

• 

  Great truck few problems - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By seabig - December 15 - 9:49 am

  I have a 2009 ex cab long box 2wd. Pros. -gas mileage, just over 20mpg in the city -no problems really so far, -stabilitrac is a must for winter driving -stereo sounds great -comfortable -power is adequate -Love all the chrome and the little tool boxes under the rear seats Cons. -Tires (amerigeneral) love to grab little stones and fling them up causing paint chips. Driving down a road that is dirty sounds like you are being shot at. -Plastic around stereo and vents looks very cheap -trac control comes on automatically and limits acceleration if you forget to turn it off and try to jump across traffic you might die -drivers door wouldnt shut right but dealer adjusted it and its fine now

• 

  Great Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By CJB - December 15 - 12:06 am

  I bought the truck new in 2003.I needed something for the snow and thought I would try a GMC for once.There have been no problems with the truck until the 4WD module went out at 55k miles.The truck seems to dance around in the rear end in the snow abit.havent had any problems to speak of until 85k miles when the left front hub bearing went out. Tires lasted until 68k miles and still have the original battery in it.The front/rear brakes still have 50% left and should be good until 150k miles.The interior is still solid and everything still works like the day I bought it.

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  Frustrated Husband - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Frustrated Husband - December 13 - 2:54 pm

  Wifes car fully loaded AWD. In the shop too much! 47K on it now. Left wife stranded at least 4 times & 2 times so dead onstar wouldnt work. In shop over a month straight on 1 occasion. Thought problems were due to the sunroof leak, so accepted that as final fix around 30K. At 37K back in the shop, again at 40K, 44K & 46K. Intermittent DVD problems since 8K, figured it was certain DVDs, after warranty expired got worse. Last problem water leaking in car at side windows, fix was $110 to adjust the alignment on doors & car has never been off road! Key wouldnt come out of the ignition, chaffed wire $150. Car wouldnt start, faulty engine sensor, $250 not under power train warranty.