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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  gutless wonder - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By gutless wonder - September 10 - 2:00 am

  this is my third sonoma/s-10/s-15. i dont need a full size truck and i always buy used. 217k miles on original engine(2.2) transmission and clutch. i dont baby my trucks at all, they are used for their intended purpose and this one fits the bill. is it a coincidence that they all rust out in the same places, no matter what year they are?

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  Great Vehicle!!!!! - 1991 GMC Jimmy
  By JT2109 - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Never failed me. of course with it being an old car, the little things died out but since its American they were cheap to replace. Engine and Tranny will just last forever.

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  Tough Truck - 2007 GMC Canyon
  By Jeff Goods - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have used this basically for business use the past 2 years. Towing a trailer and snowplowing with a BOSS plow. 4 wheeling is great because of the locking rear dif. It is quiet on the highway. I upgraded the wheels to 18" purchased from GM Parts.

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  Better then I excepted - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Steve Johnson - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought a used 2008 SLT 2 AWD with every option on it for 29 K the vehicle had 37000 miles on it. Ater reading the reviews I was worried about the automatic transmission and water leakage so I had the dealer pull up a car fax and all the GMC service records, all recalls were taken care and only oil change and tire rotation in the service records. The vehicle runs great, good ride and the styling is awesome, I got a 5 year 100,000 bumper to bumper on it because of all the bells and whistles. After a month no complaints, a great GMC product.

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  2011 Not entirely a miss or a hit - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By nmydst - August 31 - 9:45 am

  Over all my experience has been fine. I have only owned my car for 3 weeks, however I did previously own a 2009 so I do have prior Acadia experience. The car seems to idle rough and doesnt switch smoothly into gears, as my 2009 did. I have many blind spots such as the second row headrests. You cannot see over them if you turn to look over your shoulder to check for cars. Your two back side windows are of no use to you with those headrests in the way. The seats themselves dont seem as comfortable as before and the car just seems to be bulkier and louder. I used to drive the 2009 like it was a car. This one I feel nervous, worrying that Im going to hit someone because of the blindspots.

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  Acadia vs Yukon - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By bill - August 23 - 10:24 am

  I traded my 06 Yukon for a 09 Acadia. At the time gas was $$ and I felt compelled to get a better mileage vehicle. Oops! I paid more for the Acadia than I would have for another Yukon (with the factory and dealer spiffs they were giving back then). Turns out my Yukon got BETTER mileage! The Acadia is O.K., looks good, reliable, etc, but it is more like driving a van than an SUV. My only complaint is the acceleration hesitation in wet and cold weather, which nobody can seem to fix. Other than that, no problems at all in the first 20k miles. But, next time around, Im back to a Yukon.

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  Rusted brakes - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By D&D P - August 21 - 5:44 pm

  I had to replace the front rotors and beerings due to rust. The rotors where so rusted they could not be turned. The rotors where so rusted it interfered with the anti-lock brakes. Im writing a letter to GMC with the problem i had.

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  GMC/Chevrolet - 2010 GMC Canyon
  By gab - August 20 - 11:19 pm

  I have a Chevrolet Colorado as well. I would recommend the 5 cylinderbecause its very fast. I bought the 4 cylinderbecause it has more hp than any other 4 cylindertruck. These are type of cars you buy without having to read reviews (experts are really not too knowledgeable anyways). These are very fun cars to drive. The great thing is that my Colorado has 75,000 miles and the only problem I had was a belt squeak so I changed the belt. That is why I repeated the purchase. Also look at the sierras and silverado bc they are running huge rebates. I bought bigger tires for it and it looks killer.

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  The Fuel Injectors Stopped Working - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By 15monthsapart - August 9 - 1:10 pm

  Ive had my Acadia for almost two years, come February. Two of the fuel injectors started leaking two weeks ago. The engine light came on at the same time my engine started smoking and hesitating in rush hour traffic. OnStar ran a diagnostic and reported the findings to me. I had it towed in to the dealer, they wouldnt tell me the problem until I told them that OnStar had already made it known to me. Four days later I drove my Acadia back home and fumes were coming through the air vents. I took it back to the dealer. They said the other fuel injectors had stopped working. Im not an auto mechanic, but this is bad, right?

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  Still loving it after 2 1/2 years - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Gagirl - August 6 - 4:17 pm

  I am a mom of two and I have owned my Acadia for 3 years this December and I still absolutely love it. Handles well, has plenty of room for thing and people, smooth ride, interior is very comfortable. This is a beautiful car and I always get compliments on it. My friends repeatedly tell me how much they enjoy riding in it.