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 but not Great - 1996 GMC Safari
  By Steven 10/10/10 - October 15 - 2:00 am

  Towed a pop-up camper across country several times, and camping every summer, w 5-6 people. But u gotta tow in 3rd gear because of trans calibration. Full size trailer several trips. All the electrical problems others mentioned, ww and window motors (one side twice), alt, fuel pump, blower mtr, radiator, a/c compressor $1200, water pump, 4 idler arms, tire life not good, rear dutch door handle completely rusted off, needs injectors cleaned, otherwise engine and trans run good

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  Best CUV Ever - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By Teetertotter - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We purchased new and has had the transmission updates which greatly improved the shifting on the 6 speed which was designed for fuel economy for this 4500 lb vehicle. Recall on drivers wiper blade arm was replaced. The only real issue we had was pwr steering whining, which was fixed at 26k miles. My wife and I love our Acadia with all the room inside and comfort of the ride, especially on long trips. We would buy again!

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  Not for the Interstate Hwys - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Not Hills - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The 4 cyl Terrain lacks power to use cruise control on Interstate Hwys if there are any hills at all. The Tach will goes from 2000 to 4000 and roar like hell on any little rise. In town and on flat land highways it performs fine. It is comfortable for driving and looks fine. I suggest, however, if you can afford the extra dollars, buy the 6 cyl.

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  Good Vehicle but - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By zumahl - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle specifically for its third row seat and seating flexibility. Traded in a Montana mini- van. We (parents & kids) all like the styling and the comfort of the interior. In general the vehicle has performed well for us, but had some initial quality issues and now at 50,000 miles is showing signs of deterioration. Wife hates the glare of all the chrome on the dash, and the dash/console plastic is very cheap for this level of car. Was loose metal in lift gate from factory. Engine is underpowered and gas mileage is barely 20 mpg on level interstate. Now the transmission cant hold high gear and shifts are getting rougher.

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  Good Experience - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By joe - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I liked driving my Jimmy. Great for a low cost SUV. Fuel pump quit reporting fuel levels around 90k miles, and had to replace CV joint around 95k. Unfortunately, to replace the fuel pump, you have to replace the gas tank. Stupid. So I just kept track of mileage between fill-ups. Exterior plastic parts faded. Otherwise, no problems.

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  Keeping track of fuel mileage - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By maddog2010 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have kept track since day one. 15 km to present 8046 km. Driving has been mixed 70/30 city driving. I am averaging 9.474 - 15.67 Ltrs/100 km or 21.89 to 31.98 miles per gallon. My Terrain is a SLE2 AWD 6 cylinder.

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  Beware - Transmission/Throttle - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By SLC David - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Good feature set. Zippy engine. But throttle lag and inability of the transmission/engine to hold on even the slightest slope make the car dangerous. If stopped on a slight slope the car will drift back - while in D - unless you are on the gas or brake. Its like driving a manual transmission. And throttle lags on takeoff. So if youre not very diligent you may find yourself drifting backward into whatever is behind. Never had an SUV (of many over the years) with this problem. Took it to dealer and they said this was not a defect - all Acadias are this way. Tranny is also easy to "panic" if you floor it, the thing panics to a low gear often beyond the power curve so you end up going nowhere.

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  CD Player Awful - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By The Martins - September 29 - 2:00 am

  After only 5 years and little use of the 6-CD player it failed to release out 6 CDs and wont perform any function. Looks like a replacement is in order.

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  6 month progress report - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Kevin - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Love the interior and exterior design. Plenty of room for 6 adults on long road trips. Can fit 8 people on moderate length trips. Smooth ride w/very good handling on twisty roads. Lots of creature comforts. Very quiet interior. Needed easy access 3rd row with room for adults, so no Q7, MDX, X5, Highlander, CX9, XC90, Touareg, Tribeca, RX350 Came down to the Acadia and Pilot Honda Pilots handling was less precise, had more body roll, and much more road noise. Access to third row was more difficult in the Pilot as tested by my 70+ yr old dad. Mileage, Best: 21.5 mpg(hilly highway driving) Worst:16 mpg (mostly city) 7k miles, only issue has been with cord to get the middle seat to lie flat.

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  32 Hwy. EPA is a big lie. - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Ron Bowman - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The number one reason for buying the 4 cyl. Terrain was the 32 MPG Hwy. advertised. This could not be more wrong. We recently drove over 2400 miles which most was interstate highway and averaged only about 25 MPG. We are senior citizens and this was mostly on cruise control at less that the listed highway speed. We are very disgusted with this poor hwy. mileage and will certainly not recommend this vehicle to friends and family.We could have bought another Town and Country which is a 6 cyl. and we averaged over 25 MPG on the last one we owned prior to the Terrain.