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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  In the shop every 2 months! ouch ( - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By 3magana - December 7 - 2:25 pm

  This car looked so amazing, and being young my husband and I thought we needed a beautiful car like this. It w as 6 months old when we bought it. Fuel card gone out twice. The air bags that lift the car got a leak and had to replace with normal shocks. (Expensive!) Air conditioning went out driver side. Front suspension needed replaced, would not turn. Not all our issues list :( NOW: All of a sudden when driving home from work, at night, my headlights completely turned off! I thought it was just a one time thing but happened a week later with my kids in the car on the highway! Oh my goodness...I am so upset, havent driven it at night or hardly at all.

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  Lemon - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cybergoatguy - November 29 - 3:53 pm

  I thought I was getting the same as everyone else when buying the 2011 Terrain, but looks like Ive got the same issues and more - oil disappears (my service manager told me they were told by GM that theres a bug in the engine and it burns oil and they dont know why or how to resolve it - she told me to check and add oil every 1000kms). Also, my truck has 66000 kms, and its been in the garage for two week periods twice in the last three months - I got it back yesterday and theyve changed the tranmission (completely) and the timing belt. And other parts too many to mention. Lemon. Im going to see what I can get from GM for "customer loyalty" and then trade it in.

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  Stay away! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By see1 - November 15 - 8:24 pm

  We bought this car 3 years ago because of the comfort of the 3rd row seat and cargo space. We have had numerous electrical issues, seat belts and tire sensor issues and replacement of the rack and pinion steering. We paid $400 to have the headlight replaced! Within the last month we have had to replace 3 engine mounts that ROTTED (car is kept in a garage but mechanic says this happens to "all" cars!). 2 weeks after that the transmission failed. We bought this car because it was big enough for our family. Now we dont even feel its safe enough to put our family in. The steering wheel squeaks everytime you turn the wheel and the dash board shakes at high speeds. Awful!!

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  2009 acadia in cab air filter - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By karen105 - November 15 - 11:28 am

  Never have had such a bad experance before! Purchased this used SUV this last July from Gilbert Ford in Moscow, Id. Drove this car home and when I got on a country road, which is gravel the air conditioning started blowing dirt into the cabin. There is NO in cab air filter!!! Thus the whole enviorment, durt, allergens and fumes are taken into the cab with you. Complained to dealer and at this time still do NOT have a filter in place. After sale service is horrible at the above dealership. If your thinking of buying an Acadia older than a 2012 make sure there is an in cab filter if you want to be able to breath.

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  Good little truck - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By njoosse - November 15 - 10:17 am

  Nice little truck, very reliable. Lots of power, tows easily, good on gas. Its ten years old, with 115000miles, starting to rust. No issues with reliability at all, but I find it has a lot of rattles and squeaks, more than I would expect. Everything works good, air blows cold, heated seats, etc..., overall a good truck.

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  Stay Away - Its Time for a Class Action Suit - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By lynnlove62 - November 5 - 9:15 am

  I purchased my 2009 Acadia new in 2009. Within the first month, Tire pressure sensor was bad, Service engine soon light came on twice, had to replace Rack inpinion within the first year, Water pump went out, traction control/antilock break/stabilitrack system sensors have been replaced/reset/you name it, numerous times and still is not fixed, head lights went out and they tired to charge me over $400 for the repair which i refused, received a recall for the headlights exactly one month later, vehicle rolls back when in gear if im on an incline (drastic roll back), seatbelts had a sensor problem twice, airbags had a sensor problem twice, and im out of space for the rest..............

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  Strong solid truck - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By gosurf - November 2 - 10:30 pm

  Dad bought it used, hauled us up and down the coast thru my childhood and never a problem. The normal things went wrong around 150000, fuel pump transfer case radiator about 3000 in repairs , now its mine and runs strong as ever. With a 3 inch body lift and 33in all terrains the thing gets me through everything! I go down to corrala beach every few weaks and ruts or no ruts that vortec gets me out of anything. Rip out all the stupid electronics and lights forget about ac and this trucks a badass.

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  Great SUV, almost a homerun! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By parkerv357 - November 2 - 1:47 pm

  I bought my 2011 Acadia Denali used with just 16,000 miles on it. I am pleased with vehicle, yet with this being a Denali model and trading in an 02 Sierra Denali on this 2011, I feel that GMC could have grabbed a few options from the parts bin. I like the acceleration from the direct injected V6. gas mileage is not bad for a vehicle this size. I am averaging 18-20 MPG in town. The wice averages about 15-17 MPG. The bluetooth phone connections are great. I also like the reclining second row seats and the sliding seats also. I know in my Sierra, it had every option available for 2002, teh Acadia should have it all also. Good product, like most GM products, it could use a couple more.

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  LOVE MY VAN BUT ...... - 1997 GMC Safari
  By ahamm1 - October 23 - 4:10 pm

  I got this van in the summer of 2007 with 69000 miles on it, RAN GREAT was my daily ride. I drive over 100 miles a day and in 2010 the fuel pump problem happened with my van as well. We replaced it and it still is not running right, so it has been parked for over a year now for the day I have the money to take it in because I really do not want to give up the van. Also there is a clunking sound when you take off. Still love the van..

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  GMC Bombed on ths one!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By ava1969 - October 15 - 5:09 pm

  Needed a larger vehicle so traded my car in Dec 2010 for a new 2011 Terrain. I have always loved GMC but this has made me reconsider. They REALLY BOMBED on this one...its a JOKE! Its been in the shop many times. 1) Gas mileage is straight out a lie. Cannot get the gas mileage they claim by going down hill with a tail wind. 2) Leather seat cover zipper ripped wthin first year, also, they contiinue to pull up and away from the seats. 3) Service airbag light goes on and off and has been "fixed" several times...lol. 4) Rear storage charging port comes out...again, "fixed" several times. 5) AC has complete mind of its own. Will be workng great then blows hot air. 6) stalls and wont start