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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  trans &gas milage - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By ralph59 - July 17 - 9:19 am

  i only get 13mpg around town,not like gmc says 21mpg on highway. with towing package and running empty the transmission down shift as soon as you take your foot the gas peddle.

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  love our terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tombeaversr - June 29 - 10:02 pm

  We bought our terrain in Feb. 2011 and now have over 6700 miles on it. avg. mpg is 24.8 to 29.5 local and 29 to 33.2 hwy. The seats are good butnot as comfortable as the 1999 buick lesable that we had but the terrain does handle much better. The 4 cyl is not a dog if you wind it up but you can definitly tell that the old girl weighs a lot. In stop and go traffic it is real easy to get mpg down to 22. With cruise set at 65-70 on reasonably flat ground we get 29.8-33.2. have not got use to unlock button being in middle of dash. No problems yet. Buick lasted 233,000 miles. Hope this GMC does too.

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  15k later - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tim4711 - June 25 - 11:52 pm

  2010 SLE 1 Terrain. I couldnt be happier. Unlike some other unlucky owners my Terrain has performed exactly to spec. My mileage(If I drive under 65mph) hovers right around 27mpg. If I drive over 70 then I get around 24mpg. Around town I am getting 18-20 Mpg. The only issue I have had is my lumbar bladder needed to be replaced. Of course this was a typical GM design error meaning that the replacement was much better. All in all I have no complaints. Its a nice 4cyl. car. For those of you that dont know about the ecotech engine. Try cruising at about 75. I think you might be surprised at how the car feels:)

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  Give the gas mileage some time! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By mab13 - June 20 - 8:11 am

  I have heard numerous complaints about the gas mileage. I will say, I was one of those people complaining until I took a recent trip and drove nearly 1,500 miles. At this point, I have 6,000 total miles on my Terrain and I can finally say, I AM getting the gas mileage advertised. Until my trip, I was lucky to get 24-26. I am now fairly steady at 29-31. Drove into work this morning (a 1-hour commute) at 30.6 the entire way. I was told to give it time but I was a nay sayer. Im happy to say, it was true. After a good "break-in" period, my Terrain is getting gas mileage. Outside of that, I have no issues whatsoever with this vehicle. Its rugged in appearance and drives wonderfully!

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  My Gas Mileage Experience - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By prbart1 - June 20 - 12:35 am

  Since I bought my Terrain, I have put 6,469 miles on it, doing mainly "suburban" driving in the Chicago area (stop signs or traffic lights about every mile, on average). In this type of driving (ECO mode on), I now average between 24 & 25 mpg. When the car was new, the mileage was not this high, but it increased as the engine got broken in. Ive also take two road trips in this vehicle (ECO mode off): the first was about 300 miles when the engine was still in "break-in" mode & I got 28.0 mpg. The second trip was about 950 miles, after the "break-in" period (Interstate at a steady 70 mph), & I got 29.8 mpg. I calculate my mpg precisely, so this data is as accurate as I can make it.

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  Sad Sad - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By car_girl24 - June 10 - 9:43 am

  I have had my 2008 AWD Acadia for 8 months. I have stop driving it because it is averaging 11.5 mpg hwy. I traded a 2004 Pacific for this that I loved I just wanted more room. I loved the car for the first month then all of the sudden the gas mileage took a dump. On my first road trip it got 22 mpg Hwy and 16 mpg city. This is the best I have even seen out of it. I am now in the market for a different SUV. I have had no mechanical issues and it has 76,000 mi. But if you dont care about what kind of mileage you get out of a SUV I have to say this is a great truck. Very comfortable ride.

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  EPA Mileage is accurate --- under right conditions - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By new_terrain - June 7 - 4:47 pm

  I live in a semi rural area where its possible to drive with cruise control set at 50 - 55 MPH. Under these conditions, its entirely possible to get the rated 32 MPG. The EPA definition of "Highway" does not mean "expressway" or "interstate". The EPA test methodology is explained at: [HTML deleted] Note that the average speed on an EPA highway mileage test run is 48.3 MPH. Obviously this isnt representative of a morning commute on an urban expressway. However, the same method is used by the EPA for all vehicles. Even if your driving habits differ, the EPA numbers are still useful on a relative basis. PS I think its a great vehicle

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  Warning GMC doesnt care about customers who buy a used car! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By clesliea - June 7 - 2:20 pm

  I bought a used 2008 (not from a dealer). Pristine condition with 19,000 miles. Quickly, I noticed very faint noise coming from the steering wheel while turning. GMC looked at it said there was a problem with the rack and pinion, steering column and steering stays to the tune of $2,000 w/ labor. My research says this is not uncommon for this model and year. I contacted GMC, they said they would review it for coverage but that because I bought it used they hadnt made any money off me. If I had bought new and it had the same miles they would help since I would have been considered a loyal customer. So much for my customer loyalty. Worried about future since it only has 19,000 miles.

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  The EPA Lies!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bluesky12 - May 30 - 1:42 pm

  Theres a lot I like about the 2011 GMC Terrain, but unfortunately gas mileage isnt one of those things. I drive a 4-cylinder and use ECO mode and my city MPG is about 21 and highway is no better than 25 MPG tops. Performance overall is adaquate at best. I sacrifice the performance of 6 cylinder to get the better gas mileage and that didnt happen. Now I get mediocre performance and mediocre gas mileage. I bought this vehicle because of the advertised 32 MGP. There is NO WAY on Gods green earth that I could ever get 32 MPG - not even close. The EPA absolutely lied!! If gas milegae is a high priority, dont buy this vehicle. I like a lot of the other features of this vehicle.

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  Love It! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By susan54935 - May 24 - 8:49 pm

  I bought the 4-cyl because of the promised 32 mpg. I did manage to get 28 mpg on a long trip across country with mostly highway driving. On a regular basis Im getting about 20 mpg. This was the only dissapointment thus far! I have nearly 10,000 miles and have absolutely no complaints! I love the exterior styling of this SUV. The interior is extremely comfortable! I would definitely buy another Terrain in the future - at this point anyway! I love it! We are empty nesters and the cargo space is just perfect for us! It is so easy and comfortable to drive!