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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  Biggest car mistake of my life! - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By skippy99 - March 7 - 10:34 pm

  I bought a 2010 Acadia for my wife. It had 56,000 miles on it when purchased. Could have bought a Mercedes SUV for the price. The problems Ive had with it have been unbelievable! Windshield leak damaged radio and A/C fan (window apparently always leaked), Power steering failed TWICE in 10k mi. $1600 to replace a power steering pump! A/C failed due to hose rubbing against chassis. Transmission shift issues. Brake issues. It gets 14 MPG (same as my old 6.0 liter Yukon XL), you need a mirror to see the fuses, and in order to replace a headlight bulb, you need to remove the inner fender (wheel well) skirt! Awful, Awful engineering design. Dont do it! Seriously, dont!

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  Never Buy American Made Again - 2014 GMC Terrain
  By wywill - February 5 - 6:10 am

  I have a 2014 GMC Terrain Denali, V6, AWD. Thought Id give the American built a try again after years of foreign quality. This new vehicle has 443 miles on it and the AWD system has failed and I have to wait 2 days to get it to the dealership. Unbelievable. Plus the American Car arrogance when I expressed my disappointment at the dealership of a new vehicle having this type of failure (during a winter snow storm) said "Thats why we offer a warranty so we can fix things". Wow, what arrogance and audacity about your product. Although it said I should get 16 MPG city, Im lucky to pull 12 on Premium fuel. Never Buy American Again!

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  Sorry I Bought this piece of garbage - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By charvey3 - December 30 - 12:37 pm

  To all out there. I am so fed up of this 2007 GMC Acadia I bought about a year and a half ago. First the transmission was so severely damaged that the SUV was in the shop for a whole month. I was stranded at home and had to beg for rides. Then the steering went bad. Now there is something going on with the electrical components. Came out on a cold day to find my car dead. Changed the battery only to see the car after being locked outside for 4 hours, the radio, lights and the inside console all came on automatically and kept on. The service engine light was on and after driving the engine delayed to turn off even after the ignition was off. Now my mechanic is saying I have a leak .

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  Cant wait to sell - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By garydekko - July 27 - 1:35 pm

  Problems 1.poor gas mileage. After letter to GMC dealer response. Drive slower 2.Wipers bounced across windshield. dealer replaced but said good you brought in now as in a few days (90) dealer wouldnt replace. 3.air conditioner freezes up twice. Dealer cant find problem. 4. Transmission shifts vary poorly 5.Wheels wouldnt hold tire pressure. Dealer over-inflated to hold pressure. After 2 years tires how hold pressure. Worst car I ever purchased and cant wait to trade.

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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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  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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  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.

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  Complete pile of JUNK - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By boaterdan - April 17 - 7:28 am

  I could not have possibly imagined what a complete piece of junk and nightmare this vehicle would turn out to be. Bought it certified, and under that warranty (before 55k miles) had the transmission rebuilt, leaking sunroof fixed (but it wasnt), water stained headliner replaced, engine control module replaced when vehicle wouldnt start, and battery replaced when it wouldnt hold charge. Warranty is now expired and I have about 70k miles. Currently have: Nav system quit working, only reads about 50% of DVDs, sunroof still leaks and water sometimes pours into interior, service airbag light on, powered liftgate pops when halfway up then closes making it unusable. One word - JUNK.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By spuerini - April 10 - 1:57 pm

  This car is a piece of junk. I was stuck on the side of the road with my 3 children in the car with a broken 35R clutch wave plate. Had to have the transmission rebuilt at 48k miles. The car had been driven less than 10k miles a year for 5.5 years. It is just 6 months out of warranty and GM is not honoring it. I would not recommend this car to anyone. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT???

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  Annoyed - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By desilynn32 - March 19 - 1:11 pm

  I own a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali. I bought it 2 years ago with 65,000 miles on it. I had it less than a year and the oil started disappering. Took it into the shop $600.00 later it was fixed, supposedly. Shop guy told me that if it happened again I would no doubt need a new engine :( Guess what it happened today, oil pressure dropped to zero and the check engine light is on and I was only down 1/2 qrt of oil. This vehicle has nickeled and dimed me to death and isnt worth crap for trade. Very disappointed in the GMC. Also GMC will not stand behind there product.