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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  Poor GM Customer Support - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Tom - August 4 - 10:47 am

  The Envoy looks nice. Looks can be deceiving. Fuel gauge quit working. Expensive to repair. Water pump gone out. Expensive to repair. GM is aware of the problem history with these vehicles but puts the burden on the owner. GM knew these parts were not performing up to par and chose to still use them. Defective parts equals lots of repair bills at the dealerships! No reliability + no responsibility = No General Motors!

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  lemon - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By barnold - August 3 - 10:50 pm

  Replaced ball joints twice, ignition switch, oil cooler lines, drivers side door window actuator, brakes every year, broken gas gauge, blown speakers, overheating problem with a/c, transmission at 60k, squeak problem from front end, door hinges, if this thing was worth anything I would drive it off a Cliff and collect the insurance. I want my money back. Also who let this off the engineers proof w/ out further inspection.

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  Dont even consider this vehicle! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By acadiaregret - August 3 - 2:10 pm

  If you are interested in an 08 Acadia do yourself a favor and RUN! All the problems with the first year 07s just continued with the 08s. I was back to the dealership every month the first year of ownership with problem after problem. The biggest problems being 10mpg fuel economy as well as multiple water leaks that could not be fixed. please be aware that if you decide to purchase and have problems, the only thing you will get out of GM customer service is a free oil change. Please learn from my mistake!

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  Superior Vehicle - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By n1020m - August 3 - 10:26 am

  Our 2009 Acadia is the best vehicle we have ever owned. It is smooth, quite and very comfortable. As for mileage, it does better than the sticker numbers of 17/24. On a trip to the Indiana. I held the speed at 65-67 and averaged 26.3 mpg with the air. OT was 99 degrees in Macon, GA that afternoon. Returning, 70 MPH and averaged 25.4 mpg. OT low 90s returning. I have yet to find even the most minor thing wrong with our Acadia. And for me, that is saying a lot, as I am a retired engineer and can usually find something wrong with everything. But not this vehicle! We are totally satisfied. I congratulate GM for a quality build and for designing and producing this great SUV.

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  rear tire wear stinks - 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By bwieland - August 3 - 2:00 am

  BEWARE - my truck has excessive rear tire wear - rear tires were shot at 12,000 miles - front tires were 20% used -

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  Please dont buy this vehicle. - 2003 GMC Yukon
  By Jonny5 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  My Denali has malfunctioned from the day I bought it and GMC cant seem to fix the problem. The Stabilitrak works haphazardly and sometimes turns itself off completely. GMC was apparently aware of the problem when I purchased the vehicle, but I was not informed until after I took it in for service. Furthermore, GMC cannot or will not give me an ETA on when they will have a fix for it. Please dont be a sucker like me and purchase a "luxury" vehicle from a manufacturer whose expertise is fleet sales. If you really want one of these vehicles after reading this review, I will gladly sell you mine at a deep discount.

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  easy now - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By chris - August 2 - 8:15 pm

  Love the GMC Envoy. 02 couple of things! great seating, comfy ride, Bas location was the cup holders in front passengers and the rearview mirror, Had to replace all ball joints, and bushings, now the water pump needs replaced, Also the mirrors make a whistling noise when driving. Other than that vehicle is great.. routine maintenance is all thats had to be done. no major engine problems. knock on wood..

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  Beast of Burden - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Bryant - August 1 - 11:18 pm

  I purchased this 99 GMC K2500 7.4 Suburban new and the only positive comment I can make is that it still runs strong at 125,000 miles. The following problems all started shortly after the 3 year warranty, leather seats started peeling, wipers almost never work or stop in the same place, radio buttons pop off, doors out of alignment and lots of wind noise, replaced fuel pump so many times I cut a port hole above the fuel tank, eats brakes and rotors (drilled rotors last longer), replaced a/c compressor and hoses, center console squeaks, replaced radiator twice, replaced inner and outer door handles at least 2-3 times, window motors twice and cannot keep power steering hoses from blowing out.

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  Awesome with two kids under age 2 - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By moose - August 1 - 11:04 pm

  I researched and drove and five different SUVs prior to purchasing the Denali. I am real estate and it helps to sit up high to look at property. The vehicle is nicely appointed and comfortable. Plenty of pick-up for merging and passing on the highway. The captain chairs in the middle row sealed the deal for me. My business partner is 6-8 and fits comfortably in the middle seat. I would recommend this vehicle to prospective purchaser. Only problem I have had is with the exterior door handles and the dealership replaced them at no cost. Definitely worth paying a little more compared to Tahoe/Yukon.

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  Worst reliable truck I ever owned - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By jim - August 1 - 9:16 pm

  The truck was great looking. But broke down on a regular basis. Electronics and engine problems. Even the dealer was tired of fixing it! Finally traded it in for a more reliable truck .