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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  Great comfort, not great gas mileage. - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By neal64ss - July 13 - 3:00 am

  Great aesthetic inside and out, super build quality, plenty of power. Without a doubt the quitest vehicle I have ever owned, virtually no highway or engine noise. Powerful engine. The 6-speed transmission sometimes cannot find the best gear between 20 and 45 mph, this may get better with more driving, currently have only 1800 miles. Gas mileage is averageing only about 17 mpg city/hwy combined. This is not anywhere near the advertised mileage. Poor gas mileage my only complaint. Interior has ample room and easy to get in and out of.

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  Great car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Rick - July 12 - 12:16 pm

  I drove a Honda Pilot for 2 years and needed a larger SUV, but had to keep mpg in mind. I have found that the Acadia has more room and is getting 2 to 3 additional mpg. The only thing I have found wrong with this car is the clothes hooks, instead of being at the back door they have been installed at the third seat and is impossible to hang clothes or reach them. This is the only car I have ever seen this in. I have had this car two month and just turned 7000 miles. I have not had a chance to see out the car tracks in snow.

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  Super Truck - 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Robert - July 11 - 9:00 am

  I have just turned 70k in my 2003 Denali and its been a solid truck. Regular maintenance and I am told by the lube guy that there is a very small fluid leak from the intake. This is common in Vortec engines according too him. I guess overall I have been very impressed I just hope they have used better materials for the interior of newer models. I dont see myself ever replacing my truck it has been a good ride so far.

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  GMC XLT - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Tony Wasilefsky - July 11 - 2:00 am

  My first SUV, What a great car. Comfort, great ride, Mine is loaded, from onstar to xm. Love the fold down rear seats, great for my business.

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  Pretty Damn Nice Car - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Chris Da Greek - July 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car recently and I looked at the other cars which caught my eyes. Went to Nissan, Ford, Cadillac, and many others. Everything was either too pricy for nothing, or nothing in it. Since i had this car everything has been better for me. The ride is smoother, it didnt put a major hole in my pocket, and it fits me and my friends comfortably. The only downfall is, it drinks a good amount of gas. Thats the price you have to pay for reliability and a great SUV.

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  Sonoma - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By no - July 10 - 2:15 pm

  I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle. I loved to drive it/love the way it looked but it sits broke down more than on the road. The fuel pump goes out about every other year, the power windows stop working, cd player stopped working. Had 38000 miles when I bought it (5-6years ago) and I only drive to work and back no heavy hauling it now has 100000 miles and the rear end is going out the transmission is going out couple of sensors in the motor are failing and it sits behind my garage..not the best $18000 spent! Really like the truck when its running and not costing me money.

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  very good automobile - 1995 GMC Safari
  By David Peth - July 9 - 1:55 pm

  I bought this vehicel in 1995 it had 13000 miles and has been a great car but now the gas milage is so bad that I need to trade.

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  My 4th Astro/Safari Van - 1999 GMC Safari
  By SB - July 7 - 4:55 pm

  Excellent overall Van - I have owned 4 of them, and probably 5 full sized fords before that. Bought one new, put 200,000 miles on it without a problem. Bought 3 used with 100,000 miles at about $5,000.00 each and ran them to just over 200,000 miles each, and sold or traded them for about $2,500.00 each In all four combined, I replaced 2 window motors ($26.00) a couple blower fan relays ($6.00), a couple fuel pumps ($200.00), one drive chain ($300.00), and one CV joint ($60.00). Do the math - $12,500.00 vehicle cost: got 500,000 miles, about $600.00 in repairs. No brainer - this is a great little truck (and it IS a truck), hauls a trailer well, fits lotsa people, extremely comfortable,

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  Fantastic! - 2007 GMC Yukon XL
  By rbm5291 - July 7 - 1:36 am

  Purchased about 2 months ago and has been nothing but fantastic! The Yukon XL handles well and GMC offers features to appease anyone. I highly recommend for anyone that is looking for a large SUV. Gets better than expected gas miles on the highway but does drink it down in the city.

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  *UPDATE*- BEWARE - ENGINEERING PROBLEMS - 2017 GMC Acadia
  By Steve Keizer - July 6 - 10:22 pm

  Update: BEWARE - Some NEW Acadias are having problems with vehicle vibrations and shuddering while holding a steady throttle. We have been in for service 5 times, on the 4th service, our entire drivetrain was tore apart and the torque converter clutch/TCC was replaced. Well.. it didnt solve the problem. We now have a copy of a GMC #PIP5488: Vibration, Drone, Flutter, or Boom Noise at 1500-1700 RPM When Vehicle Is In AFM (V4) Mode Bulletin, dated March 23, 2017, and there is no current fix - but, I should feel good because GM Engineering is investigating the issue. UNBELIEVABLE, a $50,000 new vehicle purchase with this problem, with no ETA. BUT WAIT, it gets better - have been dealing with GMC, and they told me today that they would NOT be able to offer us a buyback option, but that we had to wait for an update/fix. Hmm.. Dealership said it could take up to two years... I wont even get into all of the other rattles throughout liftgate and cabin, chair squeaks, raddle through dashboard from fuel injector solenoid (NO FIX), improperly installed interior and exterior trim - QC on this vehicle is a JOKE!! https://www.repairprocedures.com/bulletins/document/pip5488/4755310.html AND TODAY, the check engine light came on - per OnStar remote diagnostics, its an emissions code - PO430. One more issue for our never ending list!! Sixth service appointment next week Tuesday! Original Review: Coming out of a new purchase, 2014 Chevy Impala 2LTZ, which was a great car - we decided to stay in the GM family of vehicles and were drawn to the all new 2017 GMC Acadia. We quickly loaded this vehicle with options and wound up going with the AWD Denali option, our most expensive SUV purchase to date at over $50,000. (Previous new SUV was 13 Ford Explorer). This vehicle has been in the shop three times, next week will be 4 - I will focus on the MAJOR flaws with this vehicle. BEWARE, per the dealership and GMC, this vehicle will ride rough (shudders, and is getting worse) at any steady speed between 20mph and 55mph due to its flawed "TCC", torque converter clutch, but because its not throwing any error codes, were told theres nothing wrong with it - service advisor rode along and felt our concerns - this is how we learned of the "TCC". There is also an annoying high pitch frequency that comes on that is audible outside of the vehicle after it is shut off - this lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to 6 minutes. AWESOME! Squeaks and rattles with second row seating, gaps with interior molding, missing fender trim clips, rattles in lift gate (I think with the window seal)... I know, right? Shouldve stuck with Ford, but we loved the Impala so much and preferred the infoSystem of the GM over Fords mySync. Well, just over 4,000 miles now, a GMC Case number thats about 3 weeks old and off to a different dealership next week. Great job GMC and Longhammer of Waterford - really appreciate the quality and support. I would NOT RECOMMEND the 2017 GMC Acadia to anyone - this will be our last GM product, ever.