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 vehicle so far - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By greenfis - March 23 - 1:27 pm

  Traded in an 07 CTS and have been very happy so far. Gas mileage has been 26 mixed with 2+ tanks of gas. Only got 28 on all highway driving on recent trip, was hoping for a few more mpg but still OK. Nice interior with lots more space for my 62" son in the back than the CTS. Cloth seats with the seat heater is very nice. Looked at several small SUVs and this one was the best of the lot comfort-wise with mpg more than 17/22. 4cyl engine is fine and you will get the gas mileage if you are not a lead-foot driver. Mine runs smooth and quiet.

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  I wish I bought a Pilot - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By John - March 21 - 12:14 am

  I had a Honda Pilot for the last 7 years. I loved that car. We bought the Acadia because we really liked the look of the outside. Now that we have owned it a few months the feel of the car has taken a toll. The interior plastic features are really cheap and the doors are not solid like they were in our Honda when you close them. I dont know why they used chrome trim in the interior it is a constant distraction when driving. The back seat floor area is a great crumb catcher for my two girls. I think the passenger seats gave up comfort when they made them slide and such as they do, nice that they slide but comfort was given up in our opinion when GMC did this.

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  Sad to see it go... - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By miacadia - March 18 - 8:46 am

  I have leased this car for 3 years and am sad to say goodbye to my Acadia. It has been a great family car - my kids loved the pull-down movie screen and my husband and I loved the headphones for peace and quiet! With fold down seats, plenty of room for transporting large items, but then you can only seat 2 people. Little storage space when all seats are up. We went on vacation last summer out east and had some difficulty fitting all our luggage in the back! Some complaints - low gas mileage 14-16 city, 22 highway, not enough storage space up front for driver - purse, office files etc..., lots of blind spots, when playing a movie, cannot put the sound only in the back, very loud up front!

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  Loved it till recently - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ace123 - March 16 - 4:16 pm

  My husband and I ordered my Terrain and could not wait to get it! When it first arrived it was amazing to drive. There is plenty of room for a smaller SUV! We got tons of compliments on the looks both inside and out. I loved driving it. After about 2 weeks I was driving and the gears went out and I could not do anything but put the car in park. It ended up that the oil pump inside the transmission broke. On a brand new car! Not very reassuring! However we are hoping this will be one of our only problems, we still love driving it.

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  2001 gmc jimmy - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By margaret - March 14 - 2:53 pm

  When I first got this Jimmy it was great. now within the last 4 yrs I have put in 5 fuel pumps plus other parts but I understand the wear and tear other parts but five fuel pumps. I put two fuel pumps in the last two years. Maybe I will get lucky and gm will bail me out with some help to purchase a fuel pump which I desperately need with this economy. I really need a bail out like gm got. Thanks Margaret Butler

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  Probably should have spent more $ - 1996 GMC Sonoma
  By Harold Brownstein - March 8 - 9:49 am

  I bought a 96 Sonoma,4 cyl.,stick for $2,500 (inc. tax & fees) in 6/2009. Shortly after purchase I spent $2,000 replacing the alternator, fuel pump & engine. For a small truck (4cyl) it rides well & has great pickup for a 4 cylinder vehicle. It gets 20+ MPG, maneuvers well & easily holds its own on the interstate. At 70 to 90 MPH it still rides good and is easy to handle. It is mediocre at best as far as blocking road noise. The AC is excellent, the radio (I think its original) plays well, and there is an extra input to plug in cell phone. Overall, I like it a lot. My wife hates it. She thinks it is too shaky & noisy, but she drives a 2007 E300.

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  Comfortable, well-built SUV - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By Scott - February 24 - 7:55 pm

  I bought this vehicle used (15000 miles) and have had it for about 3 months (2000 miles) and am very satisfied. Lots of features (some things I havent even tried yet) and everything is well designed and executed. I got the Acadia to tow and it has the highest capacity in its class. The 3rd row seat is very roomy and with that seat folded, the cargo room is very large. The only disappointment is the fuel economy. Ive always got better mileage than advertised from vehicles Ive owned, until this one. Average MPG is 19 (80/20 highway/city driving). Other than that, I have no complaints.

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  satisfied owner - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By Les - February 22 - 3:36 pm

  The handling and operation of this car is intuitive requiring little getting used to. I have little to complain about, except for the past two summers, the AC unit would mot cool, but actually produced heat (Maximim). After shutting down for a period, the control returned to normal like something had to be reset by going back to zero on restart. Has anyone else beside me experienced this? I have not had the car to the dealer,as the original warranty has run out and it has not proven to be a continuing problem.

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  Good SUV - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By Reggie - February 18 - 5:29 am

  This is my first GMC, and it is better than i expected. I owned a Nissan Pathfinder for 18 yrs and I hope this one can last like that. I am very pleased thus far.

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  Great - 2000 GMC Yukon
  By BGB - February 17 - 5:28 pm

  Best vehicle I have ever owned. I have had it for 10 years, still driving it with 165K miles. I keep up with regular maintenance and it keeps running great.