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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  Big lemon - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By somerside - September 10 - 1:10 pm

  I bought this terrain just over a year ago and have had nothing but problems. In its 4 years of being on the road its had the motor rebuild due to oil consumption issue. Its had the timing chain replaced twice. The AWD system has malfunctioned. The sunroof is broken. The navigation unit has been changed twice. Numerous sensors have been replaced. The emissions system has been a nightmare. Ive spent a lot out of pocket cause most of it has not been under warranty. Im very disappointed in the quality that GM has put into the first gen terrain. Overall the vehicle so unreliable that I cant trust it for my wife to drive back and forth to work. I do not recommend this vehicle at all.

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  Good & bad points - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By chickaroo - July 7 - 7:51 pm

  Overall, while I like many of the practical, daily-use aspects of the Acadia, which is why I ended up buying this car (see fave features below), the mechanical unreliability would probably cause me not to buy a GMC again. I was hoping American car manufacturers had figured out the quality-thing. In the past, weve owned several Toyotas & Hondas and, while Im "all American", next time Ill go back to the more reliable brands.

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  Waste of my money - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By wilsonmom - June 30 - 9:39 pm

  I purchased this vehicle with 30,000 miles 2 1/2 years ago with all of my savings. I wanted a vehicle that was sturdy, built well and going to last me at least 4 years. Now, 2 1/2 yrs later the transmission is blown, it needs a timing belt (which requires dropping the engine), rack and pinion needs replacing, both rear control arms are bad, and the catalytic converter is bad. This is besides the 10 other times its been into the dealer or repair shop in the 2 1/2 years for other problems. Now this vehicle is worth nothing for trade in and I have no choice but to pay over $6,000 in repairs. I spent $28,000 on this car, for what?!?! Two years of nothing but trouble. Never again GMC

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  Too Hot, Too Bad - 2014 GMC Terrain
  By bonabob1 - June 30 - 2:24 pm

  Well, the test drive went pretty well. That is because it was at night. I leased the vehicle for 39 months and then realized what a big mistake. There are NO vents for the air conditioning in the back seat area. Not even on the center console. NONE. And to make matters worse, if the ECO button is pressed, it makes the fan speed go slow so there is very little air flow. This has got to be the worst engineering mistake since the Corvair. Can you imagine the heat in South Florida and your passengers in the back seat are dying from lack of ventilation due to this engineering mistake. I could not imagine 3 people sitting in my back seat even though it does say seating for 3 in the back.

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  Biggest Lemon is the History of Motor Vehicles - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By dgatcha - May 28 - 7:50 pm

  Never, ever buy this piece of junk. I put 3 transmissions in this SUV over the years!!! I could maybe see one, but 3? At $3500 a pop, I could have bought another nice used car with that money. I also just got back from the mechanic for the millionth time. This time the car just refuses to start. He checked the battery, alternator, and starter. Everything was fine. It just doesnt want to start sometimes. How about electrical issues? More issues than a magazine rack. This car is a lemon plain and simple. I wouldnt recommend it to my worst enemy. There were about 8 recalls and some electrical stuff never worked right. Trading this in next week and it may be the happiest day of my life.

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  Dont buy a 2012-2014 Terrain - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By rondavis1 - May 10 - 12:09 pm

  My 2012 Terrain has 38,000 miles on the odometer and uses 1 qt of oil every 2000 miles. The Dealer that falls within GMs specs????? No wonder they had to be bailed out. I get 21.5 mpg overall with the 4 cyl/auto and that is below the EPA city rating. The navigation had to be replaced plus the transmission needed replacement at 32,000 miles.

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  One of the Lemons I guess - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By babjak1 - April 3 - 6:40 pm

  This SUV has been a disappointment from the start. Random "service Stabilitrack" warning turning off on its own. The dealer could not dup it or find it on the diagnostics, but it would return all the time. The big one was some MAJOR engine trouble with a collapsed intake valve, of course right after the power-train warranty expired. Then some minor issues such as the cheap plastic plunger broke on the gas tank cover causing the cover to get stuck closed. One of the Bose speakers has the cone delaminated. Leaking windshield wiper basin wold drain all the fluids in a day. The batteries seem to deplete quicker than any other SUV Ive had. has the feel of a cheaply made SUV.

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  The V6 is the way to go. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By fionafirst - March 19 - 12:08 am

  The Terrain I own has a V6, not the I-4. (Not sure why Edmunds doesnt list that as an option) I bought this car used with 60k miles on it because I got a good deal on it and wanted a car with AWD. I recently took my car from Indianapolis to Destine Florida and have realized some good and bad things. The engine is beautiful. Peddle down and the power comes out. Aceleration in 2nd gear while merging is lusty, and passing power is plentiful. That being said, the car still feels heavy and any less power would not be adequate. The steering wheel is comfortable, the audio system is plenty loud and the power seats hold my big American butt pretty well. All in all, I would buy it again.

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  87,000 miles and switching - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By drstubb1 - November 6 - 2:53 pm

  We bought our 2010 Terrain new. My wife drives daily to work and in less than 3 years we already have 87,000 miles. We bought the car because we were informed that the mpg would be 31 or so. Weve never gotten better than 27 and usually were at 24-26 mpg with the 4 cylinder on eco. Weve had problems with the lift gate, timing chain knocking, and at 80,000 miles we changed the tranny oil. It was black! Since then weve continued to feel it slip. Driving in the back seat is a horrific experience for people with good backs! Its too straight up and down. The AC has broken down twice in 2 years!

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  Terrible dependability - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By fastpastor - October 20 - 3:53 pm

  my family and i love the vehichle and the ride. however, the dependability is not existant. the vehicle currently has 87k miles and is the family event car. it is well maintained and we have owned it for 2 yrs and 20k miles. the following has broken while we have owned the vehicle: a/c compressor, brake caliper, cam cover seals, power steering pump, timing cover seals, breather valve, valve cover seals, a/c line, hood lift mech, front axle, speed sensor, all 4 brake rotors, front suspension, control arm, both taillights seals, headlight seals, power mirror control, power window control, door trim, etc. only owned vehicle this long due to warranty. we are selling. !