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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  Very poor reliablity and GMC Service - 2015 GMC Yukon
  By Blueskies123 - August 14 - 3:14 am

  At 50,000 miles the transmission was replaced. At 55,000 the AC condenser was replaced costing $1000. At 60,000 miles the AC compressor went out costing another $1,000. My biggest fear is they are replacing the poor components with same design so they will all fail again at 50,000 to 60,000 miles. GMC service could car less when I talk to them about these problems on a $70,000 vehicle.

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  Nothing but Love - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By GMCfan - August 13 - 6:56 pm

  I have loved this truck since I have owned it. I have added all sorts of extras like intake and exhaust work, so that is why some of my ratings are high. My only issue that I have had with this truck is the backseat. Once my daughter was born, trying to get a car seat in there safety has always been an issue. Nothing has ever gone wrong and only replaced things that I upgraded.

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  Great after 4 hard years! - 2003 GMC Yukon XL
  By Brian - August 11 - 2:40 am

  Reliability has been flaelwss! Not one problem after 65k miles of hard living. I tow boats and a heavy boy scout trailer regularly, drive up to the mountians in snow and cruise at 90 on the highway. This SUV never flenched, squeeked or rattled. The air shocks and towing package make this an acceptionally stable vehicle to tow with. It will yank my 6500 LB wet boat our of the water with authority. The all wheel drive and stability control work flawlessley; I dont think its possible to get this SUV stuck. It also is very useful when going camping or taking my daughter to college with all her worldly belongings. It swallows up cargo like a fat kid eating a donut; wooofff; no sweat.

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  Grandma Loves This Truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By GrandmaBooBoo - August 10 - 6:26 am

  Perfect vehicle for this disabled Grandma who loves to go camping with the kids.I neither have to plop down into nor hoist myself out of the seat. Lumbar support drivers seat is a godsend!Plenty of room in the crew cab for 3 children and leg room enough for taller adults too. Even the short bed has enough room for my mobility scooter AND all our camping gear.I dont know how others are driving to get ONLY 20MPG, because I consistently average slightly OVER 25 MPG on the highway and 18-19mpg in town. The OnStar is amazing!I can receive calls in remote areas where my cell phone does not work. This 5 cyl. truck has NO problem climbing mountains even fully loaded. I LOVE this truck!

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  Love it but already a problem 2 weeks in - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Lisa - August 8 - 10:46 pm

  It rides great had a Jeep Liberty Limited and the Terrain feels like a car more than SUV. Very Happy with the features however with in two weeks have a service issue the power lift gate will not open. Went back to dealership and they had problem because its so new they really didnt know why it was not working, they dug in and were able to find a bulletin but unable to get it to work. So now I have a great ride but can not access the back. Very sick feeling. They are ordering a new modular to have on hand so when they really dig into it they think they can fix it. :( sure hope it comes fast. This is not the way I wanted to start my new ownership.

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  Reliable - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By kww8732 - August 8 - 2:24 pm

  Ive never had any problems with this vehicle with the exception of several minor recalls. Ive been very happy with this SUV. Have averaged about 17 miles/gallon of mixed driving with 16 in the city and 21 on the highway.

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  Denali XL - 2006 GMC Yukon XL
  By dave klinsmann - August 8 - 10:50 am

  Our family purchased a new Denali XL in September and are very pleased with it so far. The navigation and XM radio are great features. Very functional vehicle and well appointed. The extra money you pay is for the features you dont see, stabilitrack, automatic leving, auto- folding mirrors, and the 6.0L engine, and side impact airbags. With 4 kids, this is one of the few vehicles we could fit into and still have room to bring home the groceries and shopping bags. Only thing so far is the fold down rear entertainment DVD obstructs the rear view mirror when the DVD is in use. You have to get used to using side mirrors if the kids are watching a movie.

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  Love the vehicle - Bad milage-Ft .End - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By MWY - August 6 - 1:31 pm

  Purchased used w-15204 miles Aug.2008. Really enjoy taking a road trip in it. extremely comfortable, quiet w-great visibility, optioned out. Even has a console cup holder night light. Vehicle has had a constant front end problem-pulling to the right. Front end has been re-alinged twice and today dealer advises 2 front tire eaten up, 1 down to the core on inside edge (hidden)! Still at dealer attempting to find out what the problem is for 2 days. Mileage is not good even though recall and service bulletin issues have supposedly been fixed. Gets a little better after being serviced but goes back to bad days later. We love the car, but wish these two issues could be fixed.

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  Awesome Truck - 2000 GMC Sierra 1500
  By gsp473 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I love my truck! I drive it almost daily and I havent had any problems with it. I pull a 6000 pound fifth wheel camper to the mountains with it and it does not even feel like its working hard (with 3.42 gears!). The tranny sometimes hunts for gears on the long uphill grades, but it never stumbles or lags. The towing mode works well though it only gets about 11 MPG with camper in tow. It normally gets about 16-17 MPG. It has a car-like comfortable ride and handles well. I wouldnt trade it for anything.

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  The bad reviews must have gotten a lemon - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By benjaminc - August 5 - 5:31 pm

  Ive had mine since feb of 06 and the only thing that has been changed is the drivers side headlight because of moisture. My fuel economy is great at about 28 mpg highway. As far as power goes I gave a Cadillac cts a run for its money with v6. When I bought this truck it was the cheapest on the lot. Add some aftermarket wheels and tint the Windows and now it looks like the most expensive truck on the lot! A real head Turner!