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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  6-cylindernder - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By 6-CYLINDER VERSION - September 23 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I love this truck! 6- cylinder is the way to go, has plenty of power with no hiccups. Have the slt- 2 with black/black combo. Everyone always commits on how good it looks, also have the chrome package with the 19" wheels.

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  14,000 Miles in 6 Months - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Terrain Driver - September 22 - 2:00 am

  In comparing most of the reviews over the past few months, my only common negative experiences are: with only rear windows down, noise cancellation system goes berserk augmenting normal "helicopter" reverberation and hammers your ears unmercifully radio volume stuck a couple of times in hot weather, but returned to normal after restarting car several interior chrome appointments reflect sunlight painfully front headrests insufficiently adjustable (Im 6 6"). On the plus side, avg. overall mileage is 26, but I can get 32 as claimed in ECO on highway without cruise control very roomy interior with comfortable, quiet ride - even for 4 adult passengers good fit & finish.

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  Love it - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By dave583 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Loving this car. Very impressed with the ride, the power, the options. This vehicle handles amazing for what it is. We are very satisfied so far. Love the Bose too

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  Grandpa & neema enjoying gmc Acadia slt2 - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By Big Ben/Nebraska - September 17 - 2:00 am

  After deciding we wanted to have a vehicle with more people/cargo room, we traded in our 2008 Impala LTZ and ordered our new 2011 GMC Acadia SLT2. Although we have only driven it for 3 weeks now and have 1000 miles on it, we can see it is everything we wanted/needed in our "new wheels". Ride is fantastic, gas mileage is close to the window sticker suggested mpg highway and city. Has volumes of cargo space with rear seats reclined (although we still havent gotten the knack for dropping the center bucket seats completely down). Enjoy the heads-up display and navigation system. Rear backup camera a must! We have always owned GM products and so far this Acadia meets & beats our expectations.

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  Terrific Terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By Julie D - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Had it two weeks so far and loving it. It rides great, looks fantastic, is very fun to drive. Has lots of features--especially love the bluetooth! The ride is quiet and feels very sporty. Easy to park and turns "on a dime".

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  Love It - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Ross - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I cant understand all the complaints about the Envoy. Must be other brand dealers trying to kill sales. I have had this one over 2 years and presently have 113,000 miles on it with no issues at all. Bought it used with 46000 on it and will buy another if I can find one. The only mistake GM made was going from this to the Arcadia. Mine has the 4.2 4wd, will go anywhere and pull anything I want to.

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  Best SUV ever! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By GMC Acadia - September 13 - 2:00 am

  For the price, this is the best value SUV product on the market today. I simply love to drive my Acadia. The exterior design is very attractive. The interior is awesome and has the right space for the kids, entertained with the DVD in the back, plus the extra 3rd bench seats for friends. On long trips we just fold down the 3rd bench for a spacious luggage area. Even then, we can store luggage on the roof rack. Great SUV, great ride and great design. Congrats to GMC.

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  Very new but GREAT so far - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By chazzfrommo - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Picked up a 2011 5 days ago and have enjoyed it so far. Fit and finish are very nice. Havent had a gmc since mid-90s but this is a real eye- catcher. Comfortable and yet easy to drive/park. Mine is carbon black with gray interior. Really strong look. I traded a GL 320 MB which was 2 years old and had 9 repair trips so I am hopeful that my luck on this will change. So far so good and I would gladly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Love this car!!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By dave583 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I felt the need to report since I read these when deciding what to buy. This thing is awesome! really. took our first good trip this weekend and this car handles and drives incredibly. 80,90, 100mph no problem. It floats at all speeds. 100 mph was deceiving because it handled so smooth. twisty roads were also gobbled up with ease. plenty of room for the kids and our stuff. Love it! Well be keeping this for a long while

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  No Problems with my 2007 Acadia - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By outlaw - September 1 - 1:39 pm

  I have noticed quite a few write ups about issues with the 07 Acadia. I bought mine new and now have 65000 miles on it and the only two issues I have had is changing one burned out headlamp and the other was replacing the belt. Other than that the vehicle has performed above my expectations. Keep in mind I did not purchase a vehicle with sunroof. The only engineering changes I would like to see is having a larger rear window so as to be able to see better backing up and a rear window which pops open instead of having to always open the tailgate style rear. Overall I am pleased with my 2007 Acadia. I am happy with mine.