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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  Last GMC Ill ever buy! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Dan - August 22 - 12:24 pm

  TO; GMAC 8-2-2016 RE; 2015 Canyon Pick up Dear Sirs, Having previous good experience with GMC I returned to your brand for my new purchases. My last GMC was a 2003 and I put nearly a quarter of a million miles on it before it was destroyed by a reckless driver. I bought the new Canyon pick-up in the winter it was running and worm when I took it for the test-drive. Which turned out to be a huge mistake on my part. I also looked at important specifications, and window sticker nomenclature. (1) The ability to tow up to 7000 LBS This I do not believe can be done. I pull a small 8x10 trailer including cargo of just 350 lbs. I figure it was about 2500 lbs. it’s like pulling a house down the road at 7 MPG. Not just handling the power plant was over rot trying to keep the rig at highway speeds without even attempting to pass ( wouldn’t even consider it with the way the motor was behaving) A fifteen minute drive took nearly a quarter of a tank in gas I’ve never seen anything like that EVER. (2) Gas mileage is just bad! 7-8 MPG with trailer! I may as well be driving the bigger rig this is not saving me a dime. (3) The on board computer is very slow – very, very slow. In today’s computing world this is so frustrating having to wait long periods of time more than (30) seconds to boot - to have the tools and information to proceed on a trip. It’s not covered under warranty yet runs the entire truck so if it quits. Well that’s a problem. now the screen keeps blacking out even after being in for repair on this issue. (4) Acceleration letting off the gas on a freeway ramp or navigating traffic and re-pressing the gas to find the motor (missing) no power! This happens allot and it’s a terrible issue. The shop said (“they are aware of that, it’s within spec”) The motor behaves like it’s stalling when the gas is re-applied – so, frustrating and a little scary when trying to get on a highway. (5) Maps that are way out of date. I travel daily and find that the navigation does not include neighborhood’s that have been established for 5 or more years. (6) Under-powered Granted I’m used to a V8 but was told that “THIS HAS ALL THE POWER OF AN OLD V8” in your nomenclature and advertising. In short; I do not believe that you’re advertising, window sticker, sales team or nomenclature was truthful about what I could expect from this (Professional grade) truck. I’ve had it in the shop 4 times in 10,000 miles. I’m a self-employed and this was a major deal for me – Now being told the truck is running at specification. I’m really stuck. Tried to trade out of it only to be told I would get less than 3/4 its value so that’s a no go -- to be that upside-down. I do not know where to turn, this unit is not anything like what I was told it could do. There are other nuisances, what were you thinking - things that I could live with, but the power and towing is unacceptable! I have talked to other people what have the exact same experience- issues I’m having with this new truck!

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  Lemon Envoy - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Darwin M. - July 29 - 2:47 am

  Dont buy this SUV, Had already bought before finding out that there are many many owners having the same problem with vehicle shutting down, left GMC dealer today after service request for problem with no fix as their mechanic said he cant figure out what electrical parts are bad as code did not tell him, He said he could start replacing electrical parts but no guaranty that the problem would be fixed. Called GMC customer complaint line and told to call National Traffic Saftey to register complaint, Everybody that owns an Envoy with this shutting down problem has to file a complaint with them before a recall can take place. Please call to file.

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  2016 gmc sierra denali 3500 - 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD
  By Vlad park - February 13 - 6:00 am

  Tranny kicks after coming to a complete stop,dealer says its gas slushing in tank. B.S Towing a load you get a bad viration that you feel on gas petal .not confortable driving over 60 mph to much vibration. To much electronics freezes radio once in while. When you have weight in bed approx 1000lb lifts front end it make your front end rattle.dealer said that was normal...every problem is normal.

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  save yourself dont buy this p.o.s - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By damian - December 14 - 2:39 am

  you can go faster in a go kart with a better ride at k1 speedway than this gutless slow as hell car.SUV stands for qaulity most cases but not here.i have to pay 30,000 dollars for a piece of crap car i think not.Shame on the dealerships for pushing ppl into buying this car.GM even knows its a piece but yet here we are.

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  Too many repairs - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Never buy GM again - September 12 - 3:40 am

  Worst car I have ever owned, transmission and engine went out, car leaked water into passenger area front to back. Had to sell after new transmission and engine with less than 110,000 miles. $45,000 car, plus addition $10,000 in repairs.

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  Piece of crap - 2004 GMC Sierra 3500
  By Carlos Fernandez - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This was the worst vehicle i ever had. It broke down right as i was pulling out of the dealership. The dealership then actually charged me for towing it the 10 feet to the service area!! Turns out the axle was faulty. They also found that the radiator leaked too.

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  Stuck with a lemon gm dont care! - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Mel - May 18 - 4:22 am

  I purchased a 2016 GMC Canyon sle crew cab shortly after purchasing the transmission jerks feels like it goes from 5th gear into 3rd and I cant ecelerate ... numerous trips to the dealer they cant duplicate it, power steering light is on dealer couldnt get part. And said it had a short in it ... I got the truck back only to have the light flash for steering again and check air in tires staying on!! I bought a new truck and GM could care less Im stuck and the dealer promised me a replacement vehicle only to than ask me for a lot of money! Taken for a ride in lemon!

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  trashtruckforthemoney - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By SICK - April 18 - 11:11 pm

  I bought 2016gmccanyon transmissionunreliable dont know what to exspeat next dealer cant fix gm said they didnt know how to either as they were not concern cant talk get alawyer most unreliable vehicle I ever owned sorry I ever thought about this vehicle