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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  Happy Owner - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By new_terrain - March 12 - 11:58 am

  Ive owned the vehicle for a few weeks and am very satisfied so far. There was a problem with accessing music on my iPhone4 via the USB port. I kept getting error messages stating "Unsupported iPod device" and "Unsupported USB device". This was very frustrating. After Googling the problem, it turns out the issue is NOT unique to GM vehicles --- indicating the problem was with the iPhone, not the car. Fortunately, I was able to update the software on the iPhone4 to the latest version (Version 4.3), which was very straightforward using iTunes. This appears to have fixed the problem. I hope this helps others with the same problem.

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  My most favorite vehicle yet - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By debsop - March 4 - 2:28 pm

  Ive owned quite a few cars in my 40 years of driving and I am loving my 2011 Terrain the most. My husband and I are probably a salesmans worse nightmare when it comes to going over every detail, however the Terrain excels at all and for the price you can drive the vehicle loaded up with a more comfortable ride than the Cadillac version. We test drove both and I found the Cadillac to wallow on the road, struggle and scream on the highway for lack of power and the Terrain is as smooth as silk. Ive owned Grand Ams, Mustangs, Firebirds, Monte Carlos and bang for buck this is as close to Im probably going to get to an Escalade. Cant think of a thing Id like to add to it.

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  Trusty Rusty - 1993 GMC Suburban
  By rg31 - March 3 - 9:43 am

  We have had this Suburban for about 13 years now it was built in WI in 1993 and never left the state so the salt has taken its toll on the body but even at almost 200,000 miles it starts everytime and still runs as strong as it every has so it is a great first car for me it is a truck that is amazing in any terrain i drive it in dirt, mud, snow, ice, any terrain it handles it great it amazes people because it is a stock gas powered truck and it can out work and out perform raised diesel trucks that are out here if i buy another truck it will be just like this one

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  Great car, would like more options - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tommyycar - February 14 - 10:18 am

  We have had this car for a year and we like it very much. We bought this for my wife to drive, but I also use it a lot. As a matter of fact, when it is time for me to trade my Lexus this summer, I would buy a Terrain for myself in a heartbeat if it just had some more goodies. I know that GM markets this as a family car, but it is also the perfect car for traveling empty nesters who need some cargo capacity but also want good fuel mileage. In my opinion, GM is missing the boat by not adding an empty nester package to include things like power passenger seat, power sliding back seat, power adjusting steering wheel, rain sensing wipers. Maybe a Cadillac version!?

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  425,000 miles and still going - 1994 GMC Yukon
  By merlindriver - February 10 - 12:35 am

  Bought it used 14 years ago with 38k miles on it. It now has 425,000 and is still going strong. The 6.5 Turbo Diesel is original and has never been opened, the transmission was rebuilt at 265k miles. Other than that it has just needed the normal wear out items replaced (brakes, shocks, batteries, etc.). I have driven this truck all over the US and Mexico, in all forms of weather, and it has never left me stranded. Its also pretty good on gas (er..diesel), i usually get 20-22 on the highway at 75, which I think is great considering its size and it being 4wd. Why doesnt GM make these anymore?

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  Pure Luxury - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By john178 - February 5 - 9:42 pm

  We purchased the Acadia Denali on 01/27/11, with AWD. We traded in a 2008 Buick Enclave for this crossover. We had our minds set on another Enclave since we liked this car so much, but when my wife drove the red Denali, the deal was sealed. The Denali takes this car to another level. The attention to detail inside the car, along with the looks are superb. We needed something large to transport our kids and grandkids on vacations, visits etc. Small subtle differences we liked included the top crossbars that can be used to tie down Christmas trees, beach chairs, luggage- you name it. The Buick Enclave has these crossbars for looks only- they are not functional.

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  Finally a vehicle tall people can enjoy :) - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By theburr4 - January 23 - 4:36 am

  Our gas mileage is 18.9 MPG. Many people dont like the red lighting but my family & I think its pretty cool. The fabric seats arent that attractive but they are comfortable & they seat my tall family very nicely with room to spare. This really is a beautiful, nice, and safe feeling SUV. It feels solid and drives well up mountain roads. The onstar is awesome along with the XM Radio and Ipod USB Port. Ive only driven in the snow once with my AWD Terrain. It was brand new and I was nervous. I thought I was stuck and my Dad said "Come on and give it some gas!" No problem I got through their non-maintained road. The engine idle sound is horrible & embarrassing but we still love the car.

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  Beats a Cadalliac SRX Hands Down - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By drjoseph - January 22 - 9:57 am

  Ive owned two Acadias now. A 2008 and a 2010. The 2008 was nice but I did not like the drive train. The 2010 is flat out amazing in terms of being in the right gear under stressful conditions. In a word, the vehicle is snappy. My wife and I absolutely love it. I recently drove an AWD Cadalliac SRX for a week in Michigan and while it was nice, the drive train was like my 2008 Acadia... slow to respond to throttle inputs. Really frustrating when you are in a SITUATION that requires immediate attention. Our 2010 Acadia would smoke the 2010 SRX in drivability tests. Our MPG is 18-20 depending on our driving mix. Weve had it for 6 months.

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  I MISS MY ENVOY - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By klr4isu - December 6 - 1:27 pm

  I bought my Envoy in 07 before gas prices went all nuts. I ended up trading it for a foreign piece of crap that now burns oil at less than 75k miles! I WANT MY ENVOY BACK!!! :( I was actually in a pretty scary accident in the Envoy and walked away without a scratch. Did a 360 on black ice going up a hill (didnt have 4WD on because I didnt think it was slick out). The Envoy had some pretty bad body damage but was 100% by the time my body shop guy got done with it and it ran like a dream the entire time I had it. Only issue was a fan belt (I think thats what it was called) that needed replaced for $400. Sounded like I was driving a semi when it went out! :)

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  Terrainiffic! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By GMC Lover - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Looked at all the Smaller SUVs on the market and the Terrain offered by far the most bang for my bucks! The front design is beautiful, rear is a bit dull but good looking. Comfort surprised me, lots of leg room and the kids love the rear reclining seats. My opinion, its Terrainiffic!