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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  Not bad, but some major mechanical issues..... - 1997 GMC Yukon
  By tubby423 - February 13 - 10:54 am

  We have done a LOT of driving in this vehicle. We purchased it about 3 years ago at 107000 miles. I knew that this model was prone to transmission and fuel pump issues when I bought it so that was no surprise when it happened. True to form we did both at about 120000 miles. We did the fuel pump AGAIN at about 160000 miles. We did a radiator & steering box shortly after purchase as well. The interior is ok. The seats arent nearly as comfortable as the Expedition we own. It has a lot of room and can carry a lot gear. All in all its not a BAD vehicle, but I didnt buy another one if that tells you anything...

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  This truck saved my life - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By jequines - February 4 - 1:19 pm

  Stabilitrac on this truck is the best thing I have ever had in a vehicle, driving through a blizzard in the mountains for 7hrs with 1/2 a foot of snow on the highway and this truck(2wd) with firestone winterforce tires handled it like a champ, no slipping no sliding it drove perfectly. gets great mileage 20city 28 hwy. By far the most powerful 4cyl pickup I test drove. Looks great and now have 40,000kms on it with no problems. Interior front seats are comfortable rear seat in ext cab are a joke, for children only. Truck tows my 3000 boat no problems and this little 2wd can get through suprisingly deep snow confidently. Would defn buy another.

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  Beauty and the Beast - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By duckie44 - January 22 - 7:28 pm

  When we first purchased the car about 3 years ago, it kept breaking down, we had to put a whole new engine in it, new fuel pump, new tires, and a few other things needed to be fixed. The AC does not work, it sucks with the leather seats during summer. BUT!! This car is awesome, once everything was fixed up, all was well. Its been running great! Sounds like a beast. I am a girl so were Beauty and the Beast together!! Even with all of these problems its very convienent. With the horrible gas mileage I just ask the other 8 passengers to pitch in for gas. Its a great road trip car! I love it.

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  Nice crossover that smokes on cold starts - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By skpa - January 20 - 9:35 pm

  Purchased 2011 in 11/10 Acadia after much research of crossovers. Were leaning to the Pilot, but the ride and styling of the Acadia are a step above. After purchase, noticed blue and black smoke emission on cold starts for 30-45seconds. First thought was car was passing oil. Brought car to dealer. Dealer did not see any abnormal emissions. Met with GM DSM to review smoke issue. He observed cold start smoke on my Acadia. Started three new Acadias, all emitted blue and black smoke. DSM was puzzled. GM quality manager in Detroit explained fuel is pulsed to cat convrtr to accelerate heat up to prevent emissions. Condition on 10 and 11s. GM needs to eliminate smoke on cold start.

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  700 miles ... Love it so far! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By svrobs - January 18 - 2:06 am

  After 8 years in a minivan, needed to move on. Compared all available crossovers in the <$30,000 range, w/ focus on MPG. Averaging 22 MPG, mostly city. Looking forward to a road trip to test highway MPG. The cloth seats are very comfortable. Love the backup camera in the rear view mirror. Might have bought up a trim level if wed had more information. Both 54" and 61" find driving, passenger and rear seats comfortable. Overall quite happy with our purchase ...

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  dont buy this is gas mpg is important to you - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bravesmama1 - January 7 - 8:47 am

  i traded in a crv to get the terrian because i thought i was going to get better mpg, wrong..dont buy this if you expect the mpg gmc says it will get, i have had it 2 months and i took it out of state xmas and i am getting 26 on highway, 6 miles under what gmc says.. in town about the same 5 miles under....if mpg doesnt matter to you i would recommend this suv, it rides much better than the crv, much roomier..other than the mpg great suv

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  THOROUGH REVIEW - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By patrick1982 - December 23 - 7:19 pm

  Owned an 05 Honda Pilot AWD EX before this one. Test drove the new pilot, traverse, acadia, enclave, 4runner, highlander, cx9. The Acadia out-performed all these. Great interior space, great features if you like the additional XM radio and ONstar services. No lag on the throttle... immediate response, steady cornering and level steering. Superb traction control system disengages acceleration when slipping on ice or when lack of traction, stops engine RPM shootups. ABS system works great. It does weigh nearly 7,000 lbs so braking is a bit more noticable at higher speeds (nose dive). After 5,000+ miles I am averaging 16.3mpg / city and 20.2mpg hwy cruising at 70-75mph...23 or 24mpg as stated??? yeah right! Overall safety specs are sufficient airbags all around, great framework. well thought out interior heating and cooling system, is loud enough to overpower a bluetooth phonecall when turned all the way up. remote start, auto liftgate great features except when parked too close to something. bad side depth perception on back up cam. low road noise, good stock tires (goodyear fortera comfort tread) bad for rain, snow and ice... will hydroplane or loose traction at 45mph+ on standing water. upgrade tires to fortera triple tread (my opinion). steering wheel controls are oddly placed. front wipers on left stick, rear wipers on center console below a/c system controls, why? volume and radio controls in a good consolidated location on steering wheel. good location for cruise control buttons. three locations for liftgate operations (key, on liftgate, and next to rear wipers.. why?) auto dimming rear view mirror great, black lower trim around Acadia difficult to clean need special cleaner from autoparts store. a little above average accessory selection, great audio even without BOSE, radio buttons can be confusing, double vanity lighted shades, dual exhaust great feature. battery location inconvenient (center of car between 2nd row captain seats), deep lubricated slide rails for 2nd row captain seats, much debris can be lodged or stuck in there, not good. inside material "plastic" poor choice of material, easily scuffed, marked up and just unsightly. Maintenance costs are average for this type of vehicle. Great interior storage capacity (glovebox, center console armrest area and rear liftgate area.

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  Great car - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By boyd4447 - December 21 - 12:13 pm

  This is my first brand new car, so it may be a little biased. I have been researching mid-sized crossovers for almost a year before I purchased this vehicle. I absolutely love it. In head to head vs. the several others I was researching, I liked this one the best for style, comfort, and price. The driving is a little numb and the steering is touchy, but it isnt a sports car. The mpg isnt half bad, but no where near the EPA estimates. I am getting a combined 22 mpg, obviously less in the city. Overall though, I love this vehicle

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  2011 Terrain MPG Experience - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By edrue - December 18 - 2:10 pm

  I recently purchased the 2011 Terrain SLE-1 for its comfortable ride, features, and gas mileage claims. Although I’ve read a number of user reviews stating disappointment with gas mileage, I’ve averaged 21-22 mpg in the city, and on recent highway trips averaged 30 mpg and 31mpg on trips through OH, WV, and VA, on significantly hilly terrain. On a 150 mile trip over more gentle rolling hills, I averaged 33 mpg. I used the Eco mode, cruise control, and adjusted my driving habits for maximum fuel efficiency, but that was in no way inconvenient, and Ive been very pleased.

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  Disappointing - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Disappointing - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I loved this vehicle on sight. It drives like a dream and is very comfortable on long trips. Fuel economy is quite adequate for its size. However, in the 3 1/2 years I have owned this vehicle, it has been in the shop 14 times! Problems have been mostly electrical,(running lights simply quit working, car wouldnt start, computer chip issues) but the sunroof also leaked due to a poor factory-designed drainage system. I would not in good conscience recommend this vehicle to anyone.