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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  Fun - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By Bryan - August 31 - 5:20 pm

  Love it. The only drawback is Im trying to upgrade the speaker system and there is not a lot of info out there. Sometimes when driving the sun reflects off of the interior chrome which is annoying. Handling is great and the 7 passenger capacity is very comfortable. The visibility is compromised but nothing to be alarmed with.

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  Only a few gripes - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Laura - August 30 - 5:06 pm

  I love my terrain! I shopped this category for months and landed on this vehicle and bought it the day I finally test drove it. I am pleased over all with my purchase. Sticker MPG is pretty accurate while others seem to disagree.

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  Happy Acadia Owner - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Orlando Resident - August 29 - 10:25 am

  Im surprised at the problems others have experienced. We have had our Acadia for 2 years and 36,000 miles with no problems (fingers crossed). I love everything about the vehicle to include the look, feel, handling, interior room and features. We have taken 3 trips to the midwest and will soon take our 4th trip. The ride is comfortable and the kids love it! We have a 2 and 4 year old so we bought the model with captain chairs so that we can access the back seat easily. On occasion we have 6 passengers in the car, 4 adults/2 children, and have no complaints. We bought the vehcile for these reasons and because of its safety rating. If reliability isnt a future issue we will buy another.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2009 GMC Yukon
  By Eddies Denali - August 29 - 4:13 am

  I just bought our 2009 Denali and so far its been a great experience. The power behind the wheel and the towing abilities are going to benefit us, my family and friends, as we like to be out doors and enjoy hauling my camping trailer every where we go. GREAT vehicle.

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  I LOVE my Safari! - 2001 GMC Safari
  By Happy Safari Owner - August 26 - 9:06 pm

  I have nothing but good things to say about this van. Maybe I just got lucky with my particular vehicle, but I have had to put nothing but tires on this thing! I bought this 2001 SLE in April of 2009 and it had 120K miles already, so I brought it by my mechanics shop and it passed with flying colors. Its now over a year and 25K miles later, and I had to put tires on it. Runs strong with 145K miles, no smoke, plenty of power, handles wonderfully, very comfortable for my bad back with 4 herniated discs, and I use it almost every weekend to haul a large amount of musical gear to the stage. I really dont understand why they are discd, but a 2011 or 2012 return would be VERY SMART!

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  2010 Torrent (GMC) Review - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Jack Fish - August 22 - 11:30 pm

  One of the best cars we have bought in many years. Love GM products.

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  Great at 10,000 Miles - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By GuntherCammens - August 19 - 12:01 pm

  We bought the gmc terrain as a surprise to ourselves we had been looking at the CR-V, escape, rav4, edge and a few cars until we realized we really needed a small SUV. Economy and ride comfort were tops on our list and the terrain (2.4 L awd slt1) after 10,000 miles in 4 mo has given us 25 mpg all-around half NY city Urban and half cross-country interstate. On interstate stretches we saw 30 mpg a few times but mostly it was 27-28 mpg unless traversing the mountains of West Virginia/Kentucky/Tennessee where highway mileage was 24-25 mpg, no trailering. We trailered a pair of hds on a light trailer (total weight 1600 lbs. Pushing the max) and economy drops to 22-25 mpg highway. Overall excellent!

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  Love our Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Matthew - August 10 - 10:23 pm

  Ill start out by saying my only complaint with our Terrain is the turning radius isnt that great. It doesnt always bother you but on making u turns you sometimes have to back up if the road isnt wide. Other than that we LOVE our Terrain. I read someone said it took 3 hours for onstar to get someone to them. IT probably took 3 hours for whomever was coming but be happy onstar was there. Ive had to use onstar several times and in a accident. That voice coming over automatically telling me help is on the way and I dont have to look for a cell which mine was broken. Its awesome to know my car will help me if needed. I love the comfort, the looks. I have people all the time stop me to say its nice!!

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  Great Choice - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By JimM - August 7 - 6:21 pm

  We have had our Acadia for just over 2 year and have enjoyed it. Get as much as 26 MPG if I drive at speed limit and at my normal 75 get 22. Very comfortable on road, DVD, sun roofs, navigation are all well used. Recommend the Acadia

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  Back w/GM after 5 yrs in Toyota wilderness - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ColtsChiefsTitans - August 3 - 6:26 pm

  OK, weve got a Highlander which is OK but boring & a Prius which we hated (gets 45 MPG but does nothing else well). HAD to trade it before another winter parking it in garage for fear of sliding off roads! So shopped domestic & import sedans, went into GMC-Buick dealer on a whim to check out a gorgeous but pricy LaCrosse. Wandered across the showroom & sat in the GMC Terrain, the wife fell in love! Great/flexible seating position, VERY comfortable seats, nicely equipped base model, attractive interior, plus STUDLY exterior styling which is the polar opposite of the weeny Prius. Have 1200 miles and getting great MPG: 26 city / 31 hwy. Drives solid as a rock. No wimpy RAV4 or CRV for me!!