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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  good car - 2000 GMC Yukon Denali
  By michael k m - December 22 - 10:00 am

  i love the way it looks and drives. the only problem i have had is to replace the front brakes. this is a good luxary SUV. i recomend it to anyone.

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  Poor Quality Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Darin Peratalo - December 22 - 4:26 am

  This truck has been in the shop more times than my 3 other trucks total.The transmission has been out of the truck 6 different times for different problems. The front wheel bearings have been replaced. The brakes & rotors have been replaced twice. Torque converter has been replaced & still vibrates through the gas pedal at 56 mph. All in less than 46000 miles. I do not pull anything. Even GM just blew me off. I should have pushed the lemon law.

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  I love this vehicle - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By vcook7 - December 17 - 9:50 pm

  We bought a SLT-2 v6 and we couldnt be happier with it. We shopped around for a while before we settled on this one. We looked at a dodge Journey (not impressed at all) a buick enclave (way to pricey)a Ford Escape ( nice but didnt have the features that the terrain has) and a Chevy Equinox ( also nice but compared to the the terrain it just felt cheap). No one could match the quality, price, warranty, and EMG of the Terrain.

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  Piece of Junk - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By Nicole - December 16 - 9:51 pm

  The first year we bought this vehicle, we had no problems. Then it all happened. It only has 95000 kms now and was bought with 75000 kms. There is a knocking noise that happens intermittently that no one knows what it is, the brakes and rotors have been replaced, wheel bearings, the gas gauge hasnt worked for 3 years, the seat handle snapped off, the power window switch on driver side doesnt work, front speakers have blown for no reason oh and we get 200 kms a tank! This is a piece of junk and i would never buy one or any GMC again!

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  Great Ride - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Pat R - December 16 - 11:33 am

  Great ride, love the navigation, easy to use. Seems to shift strange. Mileage has not been as good as promised. Good looking and fun to drive. Have had many compliments on this vehicle from strangers in parking lots. Cannot believe that the back bumper is not real chrome. For the price of this vehicle it should be real chrome not paper.

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  2nd Yukon XL - 2005 GMC Yukon XL
  By Dawne Miller - December 16 - 6:36 am

  I absolutely love this vehicle, Its so much better than a Suburban - no comparison! Anyone with kids who play sports, or have friends who travel will love this SUV. It gets good gas mileage, especilaly on the road! This is our second XL. The 1st one had 135,000 miles in 4 years - Love it, love it, love it!

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  Never again! - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By ex-GMCers - December 16 - 1:14 am

  This was the worst choice we ever made! Things replaced: transmission module, overhead compass/temp, ignition switch, turn signal levers, oil cooler lines x3, door hinge pins, heater door, 4x4 buttons and front wheel bearings. Items with issues: transfer case removed d/t shifting fork lever sticking, transmission sun gear out, jack cover falls off constantly and speakers are crap. Depreciation is terrible. Definitely learned something from this purchase. Research, research, research. I wonder why GM is needing a bail out when they built crap like this but, attached a $31,000 price tag? Definitely expected more bang for our buck! If youre mechanically enclined this is a great vehicle to disolve your time on. Looks good on jack stands.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By tony - December 15 - 4:39 pm

  I have owned it for almost two years - 22,000 miles. Not one problem and it rides better today than when I purchased it. I owned a Highlander and this is much, much better. My mileage has improved in the last year. When I bought it there where not squeaks or rattles - I hoped it would remain like that - not sure if its better but it couldt be quieter. Love this vehicle!

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  0 to 60 in a week - 2017 GMC Terrain
  By lauren billagio - December 15 - 10:40 am

  Buy a six cylinder. This is a bad ass looking vehicle but the four cylinder doesnt cut it. When merging onto the freeway and pressing the gas pedal firmly it makes all of the right sounds but doesnt actually do anything. I am disappointed in that. The test drive was in a semi-congested city setting where pep doesnt matter so it was wasnt noticed. It also has a fairly wide turning radius which surprised me. I traded a Honda Pilot in for this Terrain. The Pilot was much larger but had a smaller turning radius. As much as I like the looks of this car I rate drivability low. The interior is appointed fairly well and everything is easy to work but the lack of pep distracts from that. The seat are comfortable on long rides. It is a great vehicle for driving around town but isnt really a joy on the freeway.

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  XL is all around Xcellent - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Affaires101 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  The Envoy XL offers lots of room and comfort.