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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  Best SUV of its time. - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Matt - October 15 - 10:13 pm

  Alright, so this truck is plain great. About a year back we had the head gaskets replaced (175000 miles, currently 185000) and its ready to go for 200000 more! The only problem we have with it is the ABS brakes act up and sometimes the brake pedal pushes back, but its no big deal... just keep the foot pushing back. We used this truck for hauling horse trailers for 8 years, and still use it for vacation. There is plenty of room in the back, and the back seats fold down for even more room. I am 66 and I still have about 2" of headroom left.

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  2005 GMC Savana - 2005 GMC Savana
  By Tom - October 14 - 4:46 pm

  Great vehicle for past 4 years. AWD has worked flawlesly and as good as a previous 4wd vehicle with a transfer case, and certainly more convenient. Two problems...AC will not hold a charge more than one season...side swinging door hits front passenger door when both open and dents rear door on edge of front door, really poor design (where were the engineers???)

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  Oustanding purchase 2010 Yukon XL - 2010 GMC Yukon XL
  By XL Man - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2010 Yukon XL after much research and investigation. Had a bad experience years ago with a GM product and was nervous to purchase another even with access to GM employee discount. After several test drives and reading good press regarding much improved quality and design I decided to take a chance on my silver 2010 SLE with the exact features I was looking for: SLE-2, cloth buckets, ext appearance pkg, conv pkg, tow pkg, and integrated trailer brake. So far the truck is perfect and drives like a dream. Plenty of power and tons of utility. I have owned full size pickups for years so the mileage with this XL is phenomenal compared to them. The family and I could not be happier.

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  Its fine - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
  By elcar1 - October 12 - 2:24 pm

  Strange to read all the horror stories about vibration, clunks, trans slipping. I have a 2014 Sierra V6 WT with the only options of a locking rear differential and a hitch. I crank my windows. Have about 2000 miles on it now. It is quiet, shifts smoothly, rides firm but it is a truck. It is quite powerful if you lay into it, most of the time I dont and it gets 18-19 city. Not sure about hwy yet but indications are it will get the advertised 24 hwy. No rattles or strange noises, actually it is very quiet. I wish it had a better exhaust note. You have to turn down the radio and concentrate to feel it go from V6 to V4 and back. The reg cab lighting could be better.

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  Too many small problems - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By tedmc - October 10 - 2:30 pm

  Overall, a nice truck, but too many small problems that are now adding up. So far, Ive had the steering shaft replaced 3-4 times, the passenger back window replaced, the heated seats on the drivers side replaced, and now the instrument cluster has gone haywire. Oh yeah, Ive been complaining about the awful noise the front end makes when the 4WD is engaged, but the dealership (not where I bought it) says that it is normal. Are you kidding me? I still like my truck as it rides and drives great, but I sold a 13 year old Toyota when I bought this one that was a better truck. I probably wont buy GM again if there are other options out there. Too bad.

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  Best little big truck around - 2016 GMC Canyon
  By R Lat - October 10 - 3:46 am

  It didnt give the option for the 2.8L diesel but thats what I have and I love it. The mpg is great I usually hover close to 30 mpg.

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  Best yet - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By denali - October 9 - 1:46 pm

  I just got the SUV last week. but I love it. It has enough of room for everything and everyone. The motor sounds strong, and for the biggest SUV, the power is there. Power means a lot to me. Ii own a repair shop and drive just about all types of cars. This is the one. Its easy to work on and has great power

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  gmc - 2004 GMC Sierra 1500
  By noisyhonda - October 8 - 12:35 am

  great truck good at hauling. very spacious and comtorble. gas mileage is good for a truck. had this truck from new to 180000 miles now original motor still runs very smooth as does tranny, and everything else. the only repairs i had to do so far on this truck was o2 sensors about 40bucks each a crank angle sensor about 50dollar and a output shaft seal on the transfer case, i did the work myself. other then that routine maintance and shell run strong for a long time. i would diffently buy another in the future if needed.

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  No Engine Breaking - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By K22 - October 7 - 5:09 pm

  I recently purchased a 2010 Acadia, and it is already in the dealership. I noticed that when I am going up a hill and in drive, release my foot from the brake, the car rolls continuously backward without stopping. Same thing when I am on a decline with the car in reverse, the car rolls forward. The dealer said that this was "normal" however when compared to another acadia it did not do this. Also, the dealer also said that there is no engine breaking available in that model when it is in reverse. I consider this a pretty big safety hazard considering I have to floor it to get up a hill without hitting the guy behind me.

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  Acadia Transmission Failure - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By GBS123 - October 7 - 12:01 pm

  I purchased one of the earliest Acadias (April 2007)--the top of the line version with all the features--AWD, etc. Truck was great for about 8 months, and then I had one of the software updates applied, and it changed something about the transmission in a significant way. I could tell immediately upon picking up the vehicle. Car cant find right gear to be in, sluggish up the slightest hills, poor gas mileage (13mpg max), poor acceleration, wheezing. Well, 2 weeks and 3 days ago, at 37,800 miles-- THE END. Tranmission crapped out with my whole family in the car. Guess what? No Acadia transmissions available at all because GMs suppliers have cut back production. Who knows how long Ill wait?