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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  Dont buy a 2012-2014 Terrain - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By rondavis1 - May 10 - 12:09 pm

  My 2012 Terrain has 38,000 miles on the odometer and uses 1 qt of oil every 2000 miles. The Dealer that falls within GMs specs????? No wonder they had to be bailed out. I get 21.5 mpg overall with the 4 cyl/auto and that is below the EPA city rating. The navigation had to be replaced plus the transmission needed replacement at 32,000 miles.

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  Excellent alternative to sedan for 5 - 2014 GMC Terrain
  By maa0324 - May 8 - 7:14 pm

  We choose the Terrain as an alternative to another family sedan to seat 5 comfortably. It achieves that goal. It also appealed to our need for more utility in terms of rear space for kid activities (soccer) and the towing package to handle a bike rack and other rack like extensions (basket). The vehicle is quiet, comfortable, powerful (we have the V6 - dont get sucked into the 4 cyl), and packed with features. That said, GMC did itself a disservice with holding back key amenities found only on the "Denali". It is the marketing joke of the century...read on...

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  Great vehicle with a few minor shortcomings - 2014 GMC Acadia
  By kentbob - May 5 - 8:56 am

  Overall a very nice vehicle which meets my needs. Great interior space, and comfortable ride. I prefer a truck-based 4-wheel drive SUV, but couldnt find one that provided as much versatility and space in the mid-sized category, so I opted for the Acadia.

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  Terrain 2014 FWD 2.4engine SLE-2 - 2014 GMC Terrain
  By classact3 - May 3 - 9:42 pm

  I have 3400 miles on our Terrain & so far mostly satisfied with the car. No issues with reliability & getting 31 mpg hwy. 23/24 mpg overall. Just wish it had a few more standard amenities like: glove box & foot well courtesy lights, safety reflectors or red lights on the side of door body visible when door is opened and automatic release for rear hatch. My wife is short & needs a "pull" to close rear hatch as it opens too high for her.

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  GMC Terrain - Problem Child - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bytefirst - April 27 - 8:58 am

  I bought a gmc Terrain in 2011 and I thought it was going to be the best car I have ever purchased. Needless to says, I was wrong. This is the worst car I have ever purchased. I have had it for 3 years and it has done nothing but given me problems. I have taken this car to the shop at least 20 times in the last 3 years and the dealers (Jim Hudson and Love Gmc) kept lying to me about the root cause of my problems. Honestly, they could not fix it. There is a major problem with the car randomly shutting off and it only happens on the v4 model. Gmc needs to be taken to court I will never buy another gmc again. I recommend you stay away!

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  Air bags failed to deploy - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By ronin15 - April 24 - 8:20 am

  Ran off road, hit a tree... received a concussion as head "bounced" off steering wheel. If bags had deployed, would not have been knocked out via striking head and perhaps I could have avoided massive damage to vehicle and 2 days in hospital.

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  Never again - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By marco32 - April 23 - 6:31 pm

  Im sorry to say the 2008 Acadia will be my last GMC. I now have 90,000 miles on the car and have taken extremely good care of it. AC problems, transmission problems, daylight headlamp problems, NAV problems are just a few of the continuing problems with this car. I dont trust the car anymore to get me out of town as it has broke down twice and had to be towed. When you get a warning light on this car you had better be close to a GMC dealer because it will just quit in the middle of the street. Last week I received a recall notice from my GMC dealer. I just check GMs website and they say NO recall on my car. Thats how messed up they are. Very sad.

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  Perfect SUV for me! - 2013 GMC Terrain
  By beccalynn2021 - April 16 - 2:43 pm

  I researched several SUVs before I decided to lease the 2013 Terrain AWD Denali in October 2013 and I love it! The V-6 provides a quiet, smooth ride. I love the red accent lighting and red stitching on the seats and dash. The back seat also has lots of leg room which is nice because a lot of my friends are tall. The backup camera needs a little work. It gets dirty easily and depth perception is off. Usually the longer I have a vehicle, the more I find that I dont like about it but the longer I have this SUV, the more I love it!

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  Ready to trade in... - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By artistamy1 - April 8 - 7:48 pm

  We purchased the 2011 Denali brand-new, kept it well and were rewarded with poor quality. The first year was fine--the lack of technology was a nuisance, but the car fit my very tall family, so I was willing to overlook that. But simple things like the non-qwerty keypad in the CD-based nav system really wore on me. GM stayed solvent by skimping on technology, and its painfully apparent in this model year. Our 06 BMW 3-series has better technology. Now at 36k, its falling apart all over!

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  High Mileage Envoy - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By khill23 - April 6 - 2:44 pm

  I have a 2002 GMC Envoy with 270,000 miles. I have had for 4 years and have had no major problems with the motor or tranny. I have had to replace the valve cover gasket, rack and pinion steering, ignition coil packs, front hub assembly on both sides, windshield wiper motor, rear shocks, air shocks (once and the second time I put on springs), air compressor, starter, and water pump. However, those go out on most makes around 200,000 miles I would assume. the four wheel drive was awesome for one bad winter, but has recently stopped working electrical problem or actuator switch I am guessing ,So I would have to say for 270,000 miles and having no engine or tranny problems I cant complain.