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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  Acadia revies - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Tufford - October 6 - 9:33 pm

  We purchased the Acadia after the birth of our first child. This was an excellent purchase. The set up of the interior is excellent for hauling a baby and all of the things they require. The privacy in the back with the tinted windows allowed me to feed her in privacy when not at home. The regular plug in also worked well for the breastpump. We have the 2 captains chairs and the bence 60 40 3rd row seat which is very easy to fold down (with one hand) to instantly create more cargo space,plus the automatic hatch opening is great when your hands are full. We have had no problems with it and really enjoy driving it.

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  I will never own a GMC product again - 2004 GMC Sierra 3500
  By mikep16 - October 6 - 10:24 am

  From the Dealer using my truck to tow the owners horse trailer and adding 100 miles to it...to the more than $3000 I had to put into the electrical within 3 months-to the instrument panel stopping to work (speedo, then oil pressure, then battery-which comes and goes) $900 fix it so I just use a GPS for my speedo-to the rattle in the steering because of design issue always going out....to the electric seat positioning clicking 7-8 times before settling into place-to now the heater/AC blower stopped working and a cost of $750 to fix it at PEP Boys. Thanks to youtube the heater fix will only cost me $150 in parts. (my friend just had the same thing happen to his Tahoe and had to pay $750.

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  From one problem to next - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Peter - October 5 - 2:00 pm

  Bought it new. Replaced water pump, many bearings, idler, pitman arms, every kind of leak possible due to Dex- cool GM problem and had problems with 4x4. At least the body has held up over the years.

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  Best vehicle Ive owned - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By cbourret - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable and powerful. Much nicer and roomier than the Jeep Grand Cherokee I owned previously. It is the nicest vehicle Ive owned to date. I towed an enclosed motorcycle trailer from Baltimore to RI... The Yukon handled so well I almost forgot I had a trailer back there.

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  Finally fixed - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By jus10credible - October 3 - 9:52 am

  This is my third and hopefully final post. My Acadia is finally out of services. It spent 16 Days in the GM service dept. My stability system went down. The dealership didnt know what the issue was. After 16 days I was told that there was a pinched wire. Not sure if that was the case. But the vehicle is running smooth now. I hope that this will be the last of my issues with the vehicle.

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  Jakes review - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By Jake Blazsek - October 2 - 10:00 am

  The best vehicle i have ever owned. Pick-up is excellent.

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  So far, So good...wait, So GREAT! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By jcavfish - October 1 - 11:14 pm

  My wife, baby boy, and I shopped for our new vehicle for about a month. We test drove Lexuss, to Toyotas, to Volvos, etc...you name it, were were there. We were in the market for an SUV/Crossover. After driving them all, we found the Acadia to be the clear winner on all fronts: great & smooth ride for a large vehicle super spacious great gas mileage for this size of car (dont agree w/ other folks who are voicing their concerns about the true MPH?) and all the functionality one would want w/ a car in this class. We have had the car for two mos and are 100% satisfied w/ our purchase. Should n e thing go wrong, the 100k warranty should cover us...A+ caroh, 5 star crash rating too

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  wow way to go gm - 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
  By clyde deese - October 1 - 5:36 pm

  i have a gmc 2009 1500 sierra crew cab slt 4x4 i have problems with my back up sensors and transmission sliping and not wanting to shift or de shift down the brakes dont wanna stop some times, the truck cuts off goiong down the down the road, gas milage sucks i had a o6 2500 hd lifted with a 6.0 gas motor which got better gas mialge. i have had problems with traction control and with my radio/ on start not wanting to work. i just got denied by gm for repurishment and i been to the dealerships four time but they cant find anything they aint standing behind there vechicles.

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  Nice crossover - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By GMC Driver - September 30 - 8:30 pm

  I just have purchased my new Acadia three weeks ago and love to drive it! It has tons of room and is fun to drive. My previous car was a Yukon Denali which was very comfortable but was to large to manuver in parking spaces, the Acadia was a nice replacement for this problem without having to sacrifice comfort! My children love the rear seat entertainment system!

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  Capable and solid - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By LYNDONGOLDEN - September 30 - 7:40 pm

  I wanted a stylish "basic" regular cab truck. I looked for a comparably equipped Tundra but there were few choices out there...with only leftover 07 models, almost all of them long-bed and white! And none of the base model Toyotas had factory XM radio. So I purchased the Work Truck package Sierra... and Im very pleased. The dash design, controls, seats, driving position, and interior storage all work very well for my tastes. The cargo management system is very usefeul as well. And the 4.8 V8 has a satisfying exhaust rumble. I drive alot in the bumpy inner-city Houston streets, and this truck hamdles it well. This was a good choice, and I beleive it will serve me well.