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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  Never Again - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Never again - August 5 - 8:12 pm

  Worst engine noise ever - told it is normal. Road noise even with noise cancellation system awful. Nice to look at - not to drive. Gas mileage disappointing. Hate red dash lights and bright chrome in center of dash. GMs answer was sell it, turn the radio up and/or it is only noise get over it. Fuel injectors, fuel pump, valve lifters - sounds like a diesel. Loyal GM owner for 40 plus years - never again.

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  Wheres my old suv? - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By debbie - July 14 - 9:59 pm

  If I had it to do all over again I would never have traded my envoy, the get up an go of the terrain has never got up to my expectations I had a 8 cyl and now have a 6 cyl. No power! And gas is no better than my 8 cyl. Anyone thinking about buying a terrain think twice! Ive never been as unhappy as now, so if you see my 2005 envoy, please tell it to come back home!

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  Must Get Rid Of - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By KeithGP - June 17 - 4:21 pm

  I hate to do bad reviews about this GMC vehicle that I own since I have had 2 GMC vehicles before this that were absolutely wonderful, but I must finally give it what GM deserves. My experience with my Acadia has been horrible. There is always something wrong with it and now everything that seems to be wrong with it is NOT covered by the powertrain warranty. I would like a powertrain warranty that kept the vehicle running at least and GMs does not. I have had my vehicle in the shop at least 8-9 times since buying it brand new. It has soured my taste for GM so much that I do not know if I will buy another. I am going to research the newer models to see if there are the same complaints!

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  150k - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By Kyle - June 11 - 3:58 pm

  i have inherited my fathers 1998 GMC Sonoma extended cab and its excellent! We recently recharged the air system and it feels like factory new. Weve only had the brakes blow out twice and the front tie rods break but thats really it. i love this truck because its very fun to drive but i wish the 4 cylinder had more power. it has the 5 speed manual so it makes driving interesting. all i have to say is that this is the best truck our family has ever owned and i hope to keep it running for years to come.

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  So many Problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By wits end in NC - May 16 - 12:12 pm

  After 9 mths from purchase head gaskets replaced.Still making noise,they claimed one of the gaskets was bad and had to be replaced again.Now making a different noise. Steering struts, mounts,upper bearings/mount,all damaged and replaced.In Nov08 the drivers side wiper blew off.We moved to OBX aug 09, so using dif service dept. Wiper replaced due to being wrong size, head light blew. A/C stopped working.Discovered line had been cut when engine work was done,had radiator clamp holding it together. Part is on back order. They have no idea when it will be in. They claim they cant make just 1.GM cust service is involved but doing nothing.Dont know what to do from here.

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  GM beat me down with this truck - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By PJ - May 14 - 7:49 pm

  We have just over 60,000 miles this is by far the worst 9 new and roughly 7 used GM vehicles I have owned. For the most part we love the ride and performance of the truck but the fit and finish/everything else is the problem. To date we have had the following issues: -Power Steering pump (three times) -Rack and Pinion -Driver side seat track loose (took 5 trips to get it fixed) -When they fixed the "problem" with the sunroof then it started leaking inside -Center arm rest handle broke -Timing chain stretched(need to pull engine to fix) -Seat belt adjuster broke -Leaking steering fluid (replaced cooler) -Headlights at 20k (need to pull tires to change) -Center Console on dash broke

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  What did I do? Oh, I bought a Jimmy! - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By Darrell - May 5 - 6:40 am

  I bought my Jimmy from a friend. As soon as I bought it I had to take it to Florida (about 800 miles one way). I noticed after it got to operating temperature, when the trans would shift it shifted hard. Checked the trans fluid at a rest stop and had to add. After adding the correct amount of fluid it shifted harder in every gear. Then I noticed the big trans leak. After it leaked down enough it shifted fine but dipstick dry. Electrical problems of many kinds. I had to take my critically ill wife to a specialty hospital and it broke down to and from the hospital with her in pain and me at night beside of the road trying to get her home. 2 days 200 miles. Still gives elec problems today any type strange

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  Looks good, Poor quality - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Bridget Barry - May 3 - 8:11 pm

  I love to drive this car however we have experienced many problems with it. The most serious by the time it had 39K the struts were gone, the lights no longer worked on the radio, and the remote car starter no longer worked. We cant seem to get GM or the dealership we bought it from to be helpful. We leased this vehicle because we dont want to have to fix these types of issues with any car. It had to go into the shop a few times to also have the transmission looked at. It still shifts rather hard and is noisy. We have a bench middle seat, the seats slides forward to access the 3rd row. These areas that the seats slide on are not smooth and makes moving the seats very difficult.

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  Getting Rid of Mine - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By hasta lavista acadia - April 29 - 4:56 pm

  I have had the exact same problems as lemonowner and thankfully just got heard from our local gm rep that they are buying me out of my lease. I am not sure what that quite means yet and wont know until the outside company that deals with this issue contacts me (I was told within 2 weeks). I guess I should have turned around the day I purchased it and drove it off the lot and a strut went! My last problems were the steering column was replaced and the car had rust spots all over. DEFINITELY stay away from this model year. I really did love everything about my Acadia unfortunately, the headaches and inconveniences that these mechanical issues caused outweighed all the positives.

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  Poor gas mileage - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By cecilp - April 22 - 8:09 am

  Have less than 2000 miles on vehicle. Gas mileage not even close to rated numbers. Reported to dealer and all I get is this "Use the SAME pump at the SAME station with vehicle pointing in the SAME direction with the SAME number of people in vehicle". Is this a crop or what. Here are numbers: Hiway driving (cruise set at 60 MPH) 141.7 mile trip used 9 gallons (thats 15.75 MPG period) City driving 140.2 miles (normal stop and go traffice) with 9 gallons to fill back up (thats 15.58 MPG PERIOD) Dealer says this is not true mileage as there are possiable BUBBLES in tank while filling are fuel pumps regulated and must deliver what is metered out? Instruments say 17 MPG on console