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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  30k miles blown transmission - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Jack - August 10 - 8:27 pm

  Piece of crap. Needed wheel bearing replaced @10k miles. Engine noise from oil starvation to top end at startup. 33k miles and one week out of warranty and GM will only cover part of the repair. Cost me $1400 for a trans rebuild. GMC is so confident in their transmissions that they dont bother to give you a dipstick to check your tranny fluid. 5yr 100k miles warranty?

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  Dont Bother - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By JWConaty - August 10 - 9:28 am

  Had nothing but problems with the navigation system & radio starting in year 2. GMC refused to fix it saying I was out of warranty. After a year of "working around the problem," GMC finally recalled the item. Fast-forward 1 year later and my car just passed 100k miles. The timing chain in the engine broke and damaged the engine. GMC acknowledged this is a problem with my model and even adjusted the warranty from 100k miles to 120k miles for this EXACT problem. However the adjustment only covers certain VINs. GMC has now told me that it will cost $5k+ to replace the damaged engine in a car that is not even 4 years old yet. Not to mention I was just notified of 2 other recalls on my Terrain. That makes 3 recalls & 1 major non-recall repair in less than 4 years. I bought GMC because I wanted to buy American and GMCs/Chevys are supposed to be quality automobiles. I might have considered owning another GMC/Chevy/Buick vehicle in the future if GMC would have just owned up to the problem and covered the repair. Needless to say I will never buy another GMC/Chevy/Buick automobile.

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  It looks gorgeous and has "perks"... - 2013 GMC Terrain
  By vnikolefoster@gmail.com - July 10 - 7:07 pm

  ... I wanted but if it is always in the shop. I purchase a 2013 GMC Terrain Denali edition. It is beautiful inside and out but I came to realize quickly the previous owners traded it in for a Mercedes. I have owned the vehicle less than a year (after several trips to the dealership, because they could fix the problem because the computer did not register a issue [although they stated they felt the issue]) . Finally after I drove it for another two months and when back to have it tested again they rebuilt my transmission. Really? I have 40k miles on it, why would the transmit already be messed up! I got my car back 2 weeks ago and when I pulled into my driveway after work today, I smelled coolant and I have a puddle under my car. If you can afford to purchase the Denali, I would recommend a different brand: Toyota, Honda, anything but a GMC!

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  honeymoon is over - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By xoxomyass - June 25 - 12:39 pm

  This car is crap, I bought this car less than 6 months ago. I loved it and the space, features, look, feel etc. The car lot I got it from in st peters, missouri are crooks!! Ok so the engine blew all 4 pistons. I took it to a shop to get the engine repaired (4800.00) when they finally found a good engine which was not easy to do they ran diagnostic, there was a very very long list of code errors from the tranny. They said a bunch of wires had been cut underneath it and the transmission transfer case was cracked (600.00) This was the 4th acadia they had to replace a engine in the last month. It still runs like crap, cant wait to get rid of it like a bad boyfriend. DO NOT BUY GMC I NEVER WILL!

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  Worst GM Car Ever and Last - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By gmfannomore - April 2 - 11:20 am

  I bought this Acadia new off the dealers lot at the end of 2010 and thought I got a great deal. It now has 70K miles. Between recalls and service bulletins its been in the shop close to 15 times. Since December alone, its been in 5 times. First, for a Service Bulletin to replace a timing chain, then every two weeks since for some other trouble code or fault. GM should be ashamed to have their logo on this car. Ive asked for a full refund due to the failure of the engineering not living up to the "Professional Grade" motto, but been laughed at. Ive been a GM fan for 40 years and am now selling everything GM I won because GM has failed to make this right. Never again.

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  Save a life and stay away from GMC Terrains - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By kevin0304 - December 9 - 5:12 pm

  Must be one of the most dangerous cars on the road. It WILL stall and leave you stranded on highway, intersection, or a parking lot. And you wont be able to get it restarted. It mysteriously loses oil and will require expensive repairs to get it started again with no guarantee the stalling will stop. You get no warning. GMC wont acknowledge the problem even though service departments have the replace parts packaged and ready as though they know the engine should be recalled. Will be donating the car to the local fire department to do car burning training rather than reselling. I couldnt sleep knowing I sold the car to someone who could die in it.

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  GMC Acadia unreliable - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By gulfking2 - November 15 - 3:19 pm

  I purchased used 8/2013. 25,000 miles. We have had two recalls and one power steering pump failure notice. My steering felt like manual steering like the gmc letter described. Dealership and gmc agreed that my power steering boot tips broke and all power steering fluid leaked which caused my pump to seized. They didnt pay for my repairs. Lastly my driver side power window doesnt work and dealership technician told us the motor sometimes jams and to slam the door but not to hard to fix the problem and it works to my disbelief. I regret buying this car and hate all the problems and money it has cost during my 14 month of owning. I have 50,000 miles.

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  dont buy - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By 86mr2 - November 14 - 10:19 pm

  One of the wost suvs ever made. Bought it with 93000 miles transmission went out at 103000 ball joints have been replaced 3 times heater core went out 4wd didnt work until recently until it went 4 low by its self and is stuck in 4 low. valve cover gasket blew ac went out twice. the bose system blew. Seats suck back hurts after 30 minutes after driving. the dash is cracked very bad. Door panel rattles and ripped off when i closed the door one time. Dash lights broke twice. pivment arm went out. Fuel pump let go. Radiator blew. One of the worst cars ive ever experienced. Worst 6000 dollars i ever spent. Im tempted to pull it in the back yard and set a lawn chair and watch it rot to the ground.

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  GM Terrain-worst car in history - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By hategmterrain - September 3 - 10:39 am

  We are desperate not to die...Our 2011 GM Terrain is stalling again. After being stranded in a snow storm last winter when the time belt went on a relatively new car with only 50K miles on it, the car has been stalling and shutting down on us while driving, engine light going on. Its a LIFE RISK and no one is minding the shop. We have taken the car numerous times to Varney GMC in Bangor and there is no real help. We are fully aware of the conspiracy after the collapse and cutting corners but this is outrageous. We are told "nothing is wrong with the car"-REALLY? The engine light is always on, and yet no one takes it seriously!!! Please help us not to die!!! No one there bothered to us about

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  I will never buy a GM again - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By elh512 - August 18 - 2:26 pm

  I bought my 2008 GMC Acadia brand new. I have serviced my vehicle at the GMC dealership by the book. I always take it in for service when it is needed and always complete any service or repair the dealership has suggested. I have ONLY 58,000 miles on my vehicle and my 3-5-Reverse wave plate broke (which is a $10 part) and now the dealership is telling me I need a whole new transmission and it is going to cost me $4,000. It took the dealership 3 days to even look at my vehicle. I have researched this issue online to find out that a large number of other 2008 GMC Acadia owners have experienced this exact same problem and GM is doing nothing about it. I will NEVER buy another GM vehicle.