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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  One Of The Best Cars Ever!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By evnsptc - September 15 - 12:18 am

  I bought this car with 19K miles, and it runs great! It is steel blue metallic with black perforated heated cloth. The interior is perfect it has everything I need and more! The ride is very comfortable especially on bumpy country roads where I live. The transmission feels a bit sluggish in "ECO" but is overall very good. The 2.4L has great get up and go and gets great gas mileage! I took it on a trip (75 miles highway) and got an average of 30.4 mpg and get 19.6 mpg in the city! The car is barely broken in and will only get better in time! The car is great! I have 2 Grand Prixs and 2 G6s and love all of them but especially this one!

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  Good bang for the buck - 2006 GMC Yukon
  By bigricky77 - September 14 - 8:55 am

  Bought used in 2009, although I have a 5.3 and it is only 2wd. It rides and drives smooth. Local dealership sold it to me for 15,000$ with 49,000mi when it BB for 19,000$ at the time, found out it had a bad battery, rear right passenger window didnt work, and the dvd system was going out, not to mention the water pump was leaking. The starter went out as well.I replaced all with better more reliable parts, jokes on the dealership, the only challenging repair was replacing the DVD system with a bigger screen system.Very spacious interior, a little cheap with plastic but I can over look that due to the good reliability.Fits a family of 5 comfortably,if you want more trunk space buy an XL.

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  Intake Manifold Gasket - 1995 GMC Yukon
  By really_big_j - September 4 - 3:16 pm

  I bought my truck because it had a completely new engine due to an intake manifold gasket failure. To my chagrin, Ive replaced that same suspect gasket 3 more times. Its a design flaw, which GM is happy to exploit.

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  Love it, but.... - 2013 GMC Terrain
  By fayettedale - August 30 - 11:51 pm

  I just bought a 2013 Terrain SLE-1 FWD. I really like the vehicle, but the build quality is terrible, There a 1/4" gap on the left front side between the hood and headlight/fender. Also, on the right side, the front and rear doors do not align. QC must of had the day off when they built this one. I didnt not notice these things til I got home and really looked it over. I am taking it back to the dealership tomorrow to get a different one as this one has who knows how many other defects. I hope they do me right as I really like the Terrain, it has decent power, is really quite, and the interior is super nice. I will post an update in a day or two and let you know how GMC handles this.

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  A GMC LEMON - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By mrseppy - August 29 - 3:22 pm

  I bought my 2008 GMC Acadia with 25,000 miles on it. Loved the quiet ride and the space...then the bottom fell out. Water pump at 42000 miles at $564 (later paid for by GMC...amazing). 47000 new master cylinder - $670 68000 new transmission - $3400 Now my serivce manager says the thing to watch for now is the heating and A/C. None of this was under warranty because it says it was a 2008 but came off the line in 2007 so no warranty. After reading all of the following post....When is GMC going to step up? Is there any leverage we have? No more GMC for me.

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  2009 GMC Acadia FIRE - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By njustman - August 24 - 7:28 am

  One month ago I took my 2009 GMC Acadia to the dealer because I noticed a smell and steam coming from it. They did some minor repairs and wanted me to bring it back in a few days for more work as they spotted a small oil leak but couldnt figure out where it was coming from. The next day after driving the vehicle 20 miles when I put it into park there was smoke coming through the vents. It quickly went from what appeared to be overheating, although no warning lights ever came on, to a full fire! I was able to get my children and sister out of the vehicle. I called 911 and fire responders put the fire out. Thankfully no one was injured.

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  Junk Parts in Car and Junk Manufacture - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By exec17 - August 15 - 2:38 pm

  do not buy this vehicle. I am over 60 and have had over 30 cars in my life. this one is the WORST as to mechanical problems. I bought two of these, one for me and one for my educator daughter. Bottom line: this car gets terrible gas mileage, lucky to get 19 on the interstate. It loses oil that "vanishes" such as all oil gone after 4,000 miles- bone dry. and out of oil after oil change and 1500 miles. Brake job after 20K miles. Replace S belt after 20K miles. I have NEVER had a car that has lost oil like this, even "oil burners" never a brake job after 20K miles, should go 40K. and NEVER EVER loss of the sperpentine belt. and I am absolutely certain that problems will continue and more come

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  light housing melts - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By unhappy_acadia - July 29 - 1:34 pm

  Until recently, I would say that I am the proud owner of a 2008 GMC Acadia. Until we went into have the daytime running light replaced. We have replaced several in the 5 years we have owned the car. What has made us very upset is that the last time we went into replace a burnt out bulb, we were informed that this would not be a $100 repair, but instead a $1000 repair. We were told that the plastic housing that reflects the light out is a $1000 item. The housing has literally melted around the light. We were also informed that the other side was doing the same thing. So in the end, it will cost us $2,000. This is a flaw, not normal wear and tear and should be covered by GMC, but no!

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  Cant wait to sell - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By garydekko - July 27 - 1:35 pm

  Problems 1.poor gas mileage. After letter to GMC dealer response. Drive slower 2.Wipers bounced across windshield. dealer replaced but said good you brought in now as in a few days (90) dealer wouldnt replace. 3.air conditioner freezes up twice. Dealer cant find problem. 4. Transmission shifts vary poorly 5.Wheels wouldnt hold tire pressure. Dealer over-inflated to hold pressure. After 2 years tires how hold pressure. Worst car I ever purchased and cant wait to trade.

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  Very Unreliable - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By nothappywithgm - July 26 - 9:27 am

  I bought this car in 2010 with 24,000 miles and loved the way it looked and drove. It was my dream car. NOW, I do not like it. Has been in the shop multiple times--timing chain snapped around 60,000 miles, water-pump went out, front headlamps went. After getting that fixed, at 80,000 miles the transmission went out (took 2 months for a replacement due to National backorder). The day after getting it home, the front struts are going, the battery is dead. It seems to be one thing after another. I cant feel comfortable driving anymore because I worried about whats coming next. GM will not help because it is out of 5year warranty, but less than 100,000 miles.