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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  ACADIA has major problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By sportskidsmom5 - June 13 - 11:23 pm

  Love the body style and interior room. Major problems with transmission, catalytic converter and timing chains. Multiple trips to dealerships and after warranty expired, all of the above did too.GM does not stand behind its products. Too late for us, but read all of the transmission problems noted. Do not purchase.

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  Malfunctions - timing change, noise, oil pouring out - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By dlatour - June 9 - 3:32 pm

  At 35,000 miles the timing change had to be changed. At 51,000 miles I brought it in for engine noise that was extremely loud and an oil film on the undercarriage. Told that the noise and oil was normal. Today at 54,000 miles it appears all of the oil drained out of the motor. Beside the huge puddle on the driveway there is oil from the front of the car to the rear of the car.

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  Stay away from GMC - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By emclaugh3 - June 8 - 10:57 am

  I have a 2008 GMC Acadia SLT, an expensive vehicle. I leased it, but decided to purchase it because my family liked the exterior styling and interior space. I currently have 84,000 miles and the transmission is failing for the SECOND time. It was rebuilt under the warranty, but now, 22,000 miles later, it is failing again and will cost thousands to repair. I have had no luck with the dealer or GM in helping to fix this problem of bad transmission design, and a faulty repair. I will NEVER EVER buy another GMC !!!

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  *Caution 2009 Yukon - 2009 GMC Yukon
  By lemonyukon - June 2 - 10:21 pm

  I am the unfortunate owner of a 2009 Yukon XL, it currently has 49,500 miles on it and in the last 6 months has been in at least once with problems. This is the short list: 1) Door module of course as you see that many times 2) hot air coming out of drivers side vents and a/c on passenger. 3) oil sensor model and remember this one it enabled us to find out that bulletins exist concerning oil consumption. The valve covers do not allow the oil to drop back down to the engine 4) after we got that done and the repair did not work it tossed another code about emission module and it then had metal in the oil 5) the valves rings had to be replaced. 6) 3 more codes in shop today! 5)

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  Beware of GMC ACADIA - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By emclaugh3 - May 31 - 11:19 am

  I bought a 2008 GMC Acadia because I loved the styling and space for my 3 kids. It was great for a couple of years, but then the trouble started. I paid $1,100 to fix a steering problem (not under the warranty), then needed a re-built transmission at 62,000 mi and now at 83,000 mi the transmission is gone again. All the dealer says is "sorry, the warranty expired 4 months ago". This on top of electrical problems with the seats and headlights. This has broken any spirit I had to support American cars. I feel taken advantage of by GMC, who I fell is both unfair and unethical. The newer Acadias are reviewed more favorably, `but lets see in two years - BEWARE!!!

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  BAD BAD FUEL ECONOMY - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By aray5 - May 28 - 6:15 pm

  Do not "presume" that you will get anywhere near the sticker mpg with your Terrain. You wont. Our sticker showed 22-32 and we get 23.8. GMC is not "playing fair" by having EPA conduct the fuel tests so that lawsuits are avoided. Apparantly the only way to get close to 32 mpg is by driving between 48-60mph on a flat or slightly sloping downward road...If you are plagued by poor fuel economy with your Terrain, I urge you to call GMC and your GMC dealer and voice your complaint!

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  Our Forever Vehicle - 2013 GMC Terrain
  By jtapp83 - May 27 - 5:30 pm

  We did a lot of research and a lot of looking around before we decided on the GMC Terrain. Lots of test drives etc. We purchased our Terrain new Sept 2012. I am guilty of nitpicking a vehichle apart and I can say I am STILL as in love with our car as day one. The gas milage, the smooth ride, the very sharp interior just cant be beat. This is definitely going to be our forever vehicle.

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  Refresh Done Well - 2013 GMC Acadia
  By ocbp29 - May 24 - 2:47 pm

  We previously drove a Buick Enclave for 5 years, so we knew what to expect with the Lambda platform which is shared between the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The refresh has given this CUV what we consider a more truck like presence which appeals to both the male and female driver in our family. Fit and finish is what one would expect from GM with improvements made to the transmission in the Acadia (no more searching for gears up hills), less flashy wheel offerings and, better integrated telematics (bluetooth, nav, DVD). Overall one of the best values for the content and quality that GM now offers in this segment.

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  Dont do it - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By merbeamish - May 17 - 3:34 pm

  Purchased a used (28k miles) 2011 Acadia in April 2012. Test drove and was tempted to buy a Toyota Highlander or VW Touareg but loved the body style and features of the Acadia. DVD player broke after a week of owning it. Fortunately it was just barely covered under warranty. A couple months later, at 300 miles past warranty the back hatch broke (wouldnt open manually or remotely). $600 to fix. May 2013, a year after buying the vehicle were on our 2nd time fixing the air conditioning (approx $1000/time), and theres an oil drip.

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  Not a reliable vehicle - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By misc23 - May 14 - 3:45 pm

  The GMC Acadia is an engineering nightmare. The transmission has known issues that GM will not back up when it goes bad. The interior has these large holes in the floor that the seat should slide on but just end up filled with junk. A headlight out on this vehicle is an expensive trip to the dealer because it is not something an owner can change. Do not buy this vehicle or GM for that matter if this is how the stand behind their cars.