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:

• 

  Great car, few major issues - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By tilave - January 29 - 2:05 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for about six years now, I really have grown attached to it and cant seem to get rid of it. Over the years it has not given me any major issues except for two things. One being the starter switch which I replaced three times and the other being the air suspension which started leaking at about 80k miles. Other than those things the car is rock solid. Great for camping and long trips.

• 

  Excellent Car...but, tranny problems - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By desertguyphx - January 15 - 8:26 pm

  I like everything about this car. Great design, interior and exterior, comfortable and great handling.

• 

  False MPG: Just lost fifteen hundred bucks! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By retiredpilot1 - January 9 - 11:16 pm

  I have had my 2011 Terrain for 15 months, 23,000 miles. This car cost me an extra $1500 last year in gas because the actual mileage (17/22) is NOT EVEN CLOSE to claimed. I am a retired airline pilot and mechanical engineer, I know how to glide thru air. It really peeves me that we allow such false and misleading advertising, whatever happened to good old honesty? See you at the class action claim hearing!

• 

  I Love It!!! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By ewag41 - December 30 - 2:30 pm

  Have always liked the Terrain look, ordered 2012 New in 2011, received on time, dealership very honest on pricing and reviewing options on vehicle before delivering. Courtesy Chevrolet -Kingsport, TN. AWD- 4 cyl. Like sound of engine and the shifting. Years ago you got this effect with a pure STICK. Has a manual option, comes in handy on downgrades and when coming to a stop. AWD handles good on curvy roads. On trip to N.Y. got 26.8, which is good. Used ECO all the time. Steering is very good once you adapt to the electric format. Very steady on highway, does not wander. Room:Well I am able to haul the same stuff I use to haul with my Trail Blazer, but with better MPG- way better::

• 

  What can I do about gas mileage? - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By mab13 - December 30 - 11:09 am

  I will start by saying I am very careful when driving my vehicles to make sure I am getting the best gas mileage. I drive very appropriately. My gas mileage sucks. I traded in a Torrent for this and my Torrent got just about the same mileage, yet I paid a lot more for my Terrain! Now, I am stuck with a long commute to work and horribly gas mileage. They claim 32 hwy, I never expected 32, but Im lucky to get 24-25, and again, I DO drive properly. Do I have any recourse for this? Im pissing away money driving 2 hours per day thinking this care would save me money!

• 

  Interesting SUV - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By mitchiev22 - December 1 - 11:14 am

  The car has a nice comfortable feature to it, the seats are great and the mirrors are just right.

• 

  surprized - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tmon4te - November 29 - 11:26 am

  Bought the vehicle with 19k miles on. It immediately needed a air intake sensor and valve. I travel about 350miles weekly and took a 1000 mile round trip with it. It is a smooth ride, not bad pick up even at higher speeds for a 4 cylinder. All the controls are readily accessible, not having to search them. With owning about a dozen cars in the past, I usually buy non-american, but liked the features and style on it so i gave it a shot and so far enjoying it. The biggest downfall Ive seen was the suggested gas mileage. Im getting about 18-24mpg, thats city and hwy at different speeds, but to counteract that you can get around 400 miles on a tank- I have bad driving habits though!

• 

  NEVER buy another car that was made in America - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By cleanair1 - November 6 - 8:07 pm

  I will NEVER buy another car that was made in America. My husband and I gave a change to 2007 GMC Acadia. Wow....repair, repair, repair. This car has only 4 years old and already so many problems. Roof leaking, seat is not working, tail gate broke, windshield stoped.....

• 

  Love My Terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By pandoras - October 21 - 2:37 pm

  I had driven a 1996 Ford Explorer Sport until December 2010 when I bought the 2011 Terrain. I thought I would never find an auto that I loved as much as the Explorer Sport, but I was wrong. I love my Terrain!!! No, the gas mileage is not as advertisied, but that is the only issue I have seen, found or had.

• 

  orginal owner/wish they still offered 2dr Z71 model! - 1996 GMC Yukon
  By jrr11 - October 15 - 12:44 pm

  I have 165,000 miles on my 96 4x4 2dr Yukon I bought new in late 1996. Ive never had any major problems with this truck and it just keeps on going. I did buy a replacement"life time waranty" GM starter and alt early on...that was a good move as i have gone through 3 alternators over the 15 yr span. Only minor repairs to what has been the most reliable vehicle ive ever owned. I get offers all the time to sell it as the 2 door models are becoming rare. I love this short wheel base 4x4, as it goes through about anything. I cant believe GM does not offer a short wheel base 2 dr 4x4 SUV with honest off road capability anymore. There are a lot of us that still covet them!