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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  Love it but diappointed - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Truck4 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This truck has the potential of being everything I want it a truck. It offers a very smooth ride and the leather seats are some of the most comfortable Ive sat in. A friend recently purchased a comparable Ford model. After riding in my truck, hes quick to point out the superior ride and comfort of the GMC. Disappointment: I recently scheduled my 2nd service visit because the outside temp gauge constantly reads in the 90s if the temp is above 38 degrees. There are rattles in the dash. This is the 4th GM truck I have owned and this is the least smooth transmission of any of them.

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  awesome truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By youngstud - October 28 - 2:00 am

  this is my first truck purpose and the reason i graduated from college. i dreamed of owning a powerful truck and the gmc was everything i could imagine. the engine is incredible and i have had no problems with it. the bose rocks and power everything makes life easy.

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  is ok would be better if I get it cheap. - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By Jose flores - October 24 - 1:50 pm

  The starting price, to much secrets onthe price and all the info that you need to send before you get a price that discouraged a pitential buyet.

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  Great trik - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By airborne - October 24 - 12:03 pm

  I bought my Yukon with 66000 miles, i have had to replace the front right lower balljiont and rear brakes. I love the way it handles the gas mileage is good for a truck its size 14city/18hwy.

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  One Great Ride - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rjzawislak - October 24 - 9:43 am

  Really a great vehicle. Beyond my expectations. GM is finally getting it right. Should have no problem getting market share back from Toyota!

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  Roll Tide OnThis One - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By CARL4TIDE - October 24 - 7:43 am

  I have owned many vehicles in the past 10 years and Ive never been more giddy over a purchase as I am today. I absolutely love the Acadia SLT 2. Got every feature possible except the heads up display which I thought might just annoy me to be honest. Driving around in town the on board computer calculates mpg at around 18-20 so far and they are usually pretty accurate. Didnt hurt any that I bought it on the GM plan for retired GM employees - thanks grandad - and saved a bundle. Handles great, looks awesome, comfortable, a real head turner so far. Plan to get the chrome step rails asap

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  First GMC Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Dr. Joseph White - October 23 - 1:16 pm

  1st GMC truck that I have ever owned. I have always been a FORD man until two weeks ago. This GMC leaves all the FORD trucks I have ever owned in the dust. I love everything about my new GMC truck, especially the ride and POWERRRRRR. This truck is like riding in a luxury car with a sports car engine.

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  seats not up to mar - 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By brian - October 23 - 10:00 am

  For a top of the line truck that listed for over $32000 new you would think the company would put in better seats ;such as more padding in the bottom seat and go back to having the whole seat move by power not just the bottom. (this is for the cloth seat). the seats in my 1997 were more conforbly , other than the seatr it is an excellent truck.

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  Too many problems for $40,000+ - 2002 GMC Yukon XL
  By DriverDave - October 23 - 6:36 am

  This car was fine the first year and a half but then the problems started. The digital dash lights that let you know if the car is in drive etc went out at a cost of up to $1000. My husband has not had it repaired yet-he says hell go without at that price. Then the car would not start when there was less than a 1/4 tank of gas-new fuel pump for $600. Now the newest problem is the lights; they are totally going off when you go to bright and will not go back on. I drove home with no lights last night in the dark when it happened to me. Another bad point is the front seats reclining only 1/4 of the way back to a less than comfortable postion. The brakes are much improved over our 99.

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  Acadia a great car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By kingadrock - October 22 - 7:49 pm

  This is a really great car in the crossover market. Owned it now for a year with no problems. Its like getting mini van comfort and size with SUV styling and performance. Perfect for our family of four with two little ones and our heaps of stuff we seem to need to take everywhere.