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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  Navigation and Trunk Release problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Al - March 2 - 11:34 am

  We have a 2008 GMC Acadia. In less than a year and a half, the Navigation quit working. We took it back to the dealership and they said it would cost around $2,000 to replace it. Now the trunk release is not working properly. This will be our last GMC automobile. We expected higher quality for the price we paid.

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  Run away from - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By DAVIS - February 26 - 10:52 am

  My acadia has been in the shop numerous times. Twice for leaking sun roof- dealership says (twice) it fixed will be ok- who designs a car that has water coming into your sunroof? Lift gate supports at (30K miles, road Miles) malfunctioned and when it fell it almost hit my 3 yo grandbaby, would have hurt her badly or worse. The rattle in dashboard has never been fixed. Now of the worse the steering gear had to be replaced at 45k miles. At 924.46.... Never in all of my vehicles have i had such a lemon.... i quote from another "DO NOT buy this vehicle. I love the look- I love the performance, but it is not worth the frustrations" buy something othere than GMC

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  Buyer Beware - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By A Murphy - February 19 - 9:31 pm

  The 2007 Acadia started out as a great car. At 17,000 miles we lost our power steering. It spent months in the shop with everybody and their brother trying to figure out why we lost power steering ONLY when it rained. The dealership was great, but GMC was a nightmare to deal with. After several times being in the shop...each time assuring us the problem was "solved", we would have another close call when the steering would suddenly go out without warning. GM finally screwed a shield to the bottom of the car and added aftermarket parts to correct the problem. We NEVER feel safe in the vehicle & drive a rental more. Now, at 40,000 miles, the transmission failed with the family in the car.

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  Problems, Problems 2004 Envoy - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By SMosley - February 4 - 10:38 pm

  I purchased this car new and it has been nothing but problems. Every month their is some problem. The sensors are always going out. The lights has went out. Right know, another sensor has went out and know there is a crack in the gas tank. The service engine soon light stays on, for any reason. If you dont have the gas cap screwed on the right engine soon light comes on, if you leave the car running and put gas in the check engine soon light will pop on. Oh and yeah the fuel pump is going out also. I wish that I had taken out the extended warranty you will really need it. I did not think that you would considering this is suppose to be a top level vehicle. My Kia was better.

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  Nice look.....poor interior quality - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Boss Lady - January 31 - 9:59 pm

  I purchased my Acadia brand new in June 2008. I love the way the exterior is made and it is a totally fun vehicle to drive. I hate the fact that the interior of the vehicle was made so cheap. The rear floor vent covers keep coming off, the middle bench seat has never operated correctly since I drove it off the dealers lot. Additionally, the driver side window will intermittently just stop working for periods of time. Unfortunately, the window never seems to act up when I take it to the dealership. I also hate the carpet material that is on the back of the seats, because over time it starts to look awful and is all matted. I live in Michigan, and the vehicle does not handle well in the snow

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  Sludge Build Up In Engine - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Randy - January 29 - 6:32 am

  I have sludge build up in engine at 70K miles. A GMC dealer says it is due to improperly maintenance. I contacted GM and they agreed. I changed the oil when the OLM indicator told me to. The dealership wants me to pay 7K for a new engine. I am in the process of hiring an attorney to help me with this. The dealer I purchased from went bankrupt and I can not get the maintenance records so GM is saying I drove the vehicle for 29K miles before my first oil change because I cannot provide maintenance records. The dealership who diagnosed the problem stated I should have changed the oil at 5K intervals. Why then did GM put OLM indicators on these vehicles.

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  Tough Truck - 2004 GMC Yukon
  By Reckless Driver - January 24 - 9:31 pm

  Bought it new. Been very tough on it, towing several tons through the 120° desert. In 2006 I put almost 50k miles on it. Survived some crashes, which, in a smaller car would have caused some major damage. In 2008 it started running funny, occasionally making some wierd sounds and smoke coming out the tailpipe. After it warmed up it was fine. Just recently, at 150k miles we found the problem. One of the valves is sticking. Also, at 130k miles the radiator and A/C began acting up, and it definitely has a leak. Now it makes terrible noises when the motor is cold, and idles at 500 RPM higher than normal under said condition. I feel itll seize up in the next 10k miles, its on its last leg.

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  not bad for GMC - 2001 GMC Sonoma
  By scott S - January 23 - 11:12 pm

  What can one say about a underpowered truck. It drives great but maybe you should have bought a Honda engine to power this beauty. Id suggest the 2.4 Honda crv engine. This truck drive great and gets ok gas mileage as long as you stay off the highway. Whoever thought of butting 4/11 gears in a underpowered truck. Oh, maybe thats it, I see you have to compensate for the lack of power by gearing the truck low. The lack of quality is amazing, Ive had to replace the third door handle three times until I fabricated and metal substitute. the emergency break actuator two times.

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  Good Experiences ? - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Angie - January 15 - 7:31 pm

  "service engine, service 4wd, change oil".......my dash looks like a lighted christmas tree and no one can find anything wrong. Door moldings falling off. Rear wiper washer broke. Knocking noise underneath. Shifts hard and clanks often. No recall for hole in gas tank or cracked gas cap compartment. Fuel mileage stinks. NEVER AGAIN. Going back to a Nissan or Toyota!

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  Water and Electricity dont mix - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By David - January 12 - 6:38 am

  Bought my Acadia as a dealer leftover. Got home and the battery was dead, now after 6 months I am on my third battery. Dealer cannot find the source of the problem and I keep an emergency jump pack in the back of the car at all times. I too have water coming in the pillars and have had the drain tubes "enlarged" Gas mileage 16 city and 18 highway --no where near what the sticker suggests. Transmission seems to hunt for a gear when on cruise control.