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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  Be careful when you buy this vehicle! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By cnorborg - October 8 - 3:54 pm

  Overall I like my Terrain, love my dealer, but definitely not a fan of GM. The terrain is a small SUV, does ok for a dog owner like me, not a fan of the seats not folding fully flat. The leather seats get a bit warm and it drives a bit stiff. The AC struggles to get the car cold when its hot outside, a bit undersized for the type of vehicle for living in a desert like Albuquerque. My biggest complaint stems from something I noticed and mentioned to the dealer the first time I took the car in for an oil change. The color backup camera is 99% of the time showing up B&W. In dealing with GM, I find they are simply trying to make excuses and not fix the problem. They say its "as designed"

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  Many great features, just one thats worrying me - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By megant - September 30 - 2:28 am

  We purchased out Acadia in June of this year. Id had a Honda Pilot for 5 years, and while I really liked it, I wanted bucket seats in the second row and third row seating that was more easily accessible and was comfortable for adults-basically a minivan interior for seating without looking like a "mom-mobile" on the outside. The Acadia met these goals very nicely. Weve put a lot of miles on it with our 9 year old son and its been a very comfy ride. Its a beautiful vehicle, but the engine worries me. It can really hesitate when speeding up from a dead stop or slow speed-scary. It also isnt nearly as smooth in acceleration as my Honda was-a bit sluggish. A+ on everything but the engine-C.

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  A Lot of Issues and Problems - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cockermom - September 12 - 7:23 am

  We purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain SLE2 Automatic with a 4 cylinder engine. The engine is so small that this poor vehicle has terrible pick-up. Its dangerous to try and pass on the highway or pick up speed when merging because the pick up is so bad. Another major issue we have is that the engine seems to be hesitating or fluttering or it is stalling at low throttle which is extremely dangerous when driving period let alone driving up a hill. This problem warrants a recall. The doors are so lightweight that they will slam on you when opening/closing which is dangerous to passengers. This needs to be sorted by GMC as its dangerous. Passenger airbag light doesnt work. Poor gas mileage.

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  Using Oil - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By graygrandma - September 2 - 9:05 pm

  I agree with all the disappointing remarks regarding gas mileage. I dont care if its the EPA or GMC - the public deserves the truth! My big worry now is that its using oil. My car was showing 50+% life left before my oil change. The engine was making a loud noise and I took it to the dealer to find I had no oil showing on the dip stick. The check engine light NEVER came on! Since then my husband has consistantly checked the oil level and we have to keep adding oil in between oil changes. I have never had to do that with my vehicles. Anyone else using oil?

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  GMC Dealer near richmond VA - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By unhappyperson - September 1 - 1:50 am

  I do love my Acadia however just recently I had to move to Guam (military). Before I left I called my dealer & asked if my Acadias extended warranty was going to be good. They said yes & have a safe move. Since then my acadia has been having powersteering issues. I called the dealer & they didnt even bother calling the company to see if they would honor the warranty even though guam is a us territory. They havent called me to see if they could do anything. Basically they took my extended warranty & ran with it. Now Im going to have to pay out of pocket because GM hasnt come out with a recall even though lots of customers have been having the same issue. I wont purchase another GMC

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  Frustrated with My Acadia - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By dfoster22 - August 30 - 11:44 am

  I want to love my Acadia but have grown extremely frustrated with it. The overall comfort in driving my Acadia has been great but I have run into several maintenance issues which just show a lack of quality in the vehicle. These issues include: water leaks (have caused issues with the front blower motor and various sensors), blown rear strut, power steering pump and gear, tailgate motor and supports, two bad batteries, master cylinder (breaks), blown headlamps, and rear window spray hose. There have been three recalls: heated windshield washer, passenger airbag sensor, and headlamps. Many of these issues occurred within first two years of ownership. Has been a maintenance headache.

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  Transmission/Acceleration issues - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By tdenny - August 29 - 11:22 pm

  Size, features, extras all were a perfect match for me and my family. We have 2 kids, now entering grade school, so the extra seat for carpool and their stuff was great, yet the car drives more like a minivan than a large SUV. Unfortunately, Ive had the car for 3 months, the transmission seems to slip and jerk constantly and now, the most scary part - while accelerating from stop, the car sometimes takes 5 seconds to engage. This is 5 seconds for another car to T-Bone you in an intersection. My good wife dealt with it for several months, I experienced it myself this last week. Working with the dealer to return now.

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  Nothing but problems since day one - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By jlmjones - August 29 - 11:02 am

  This car is, by far, the worst vehicle weve ever owned. After owning a Yukon Delani, I was looking forward to buying another GMC. Huge mistake, this will be the last GMC we will ever buy. The water pump has gone out, its had a flurry of random electrical problems, the airbag only is on about 1/2 the time someone is in the passenger seat and now the tranny is blown at less than 60k. Im shocked GMC is selling such an unreliable car to consumers. Ive been broken down on the side of the road twice now. They need to recall these cars and reimburse those of us who have to put in new trannys (according to the dealership doing our repairs, GM is FULLY aware of the issue and doesnt care).

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  Great Car! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By jlbigguy - August 28 - 8:29 pm

  Have my 2012 Terrain for 1 week now, and after 900 miles I am impressed. Getting 30.5 mpg on the highway, and overall average is 27mpg. This is with ECO mode on. Very smooth and quiet ride, no wind noise at all. The car feels solid, and is very comfortable (premium cloth seats). I have more room then in my old 2004 Pontiac Montana, and I am 66" tall. Can hardly tell the engine is running when at idle. Very pleased with my purchase.

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  A 3 year old car should not have these problems! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By nhkathyc - August 28 - 8:54 am

  That is what I was told by three different mechanics ... "A 3 year old car with 58K miles should not have these problems" My car failed the state inspection this year because it was leaking power steering fluid. The mechanic told me this but then asked me to come out so he could show me more concerns. In addition to the power steering fluid leak there were 3 oil leaks. 1 from the crank case and 1 from the transfer case that were especially concerning to him. Also, my A/C is not working right & my car had begun to overheat that day and I had to keep pulling over to let it cool down just to make it to the mechanic. He told me to get it right into the dealership. I did & left a LOT poorer!