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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  A tribute to Bertha - 1995 GMC Suburban
  By seasalt44 - June 5 - 7:52 pm

  "Bertha" has logged nearly 300,000 miles with very little other than regular maintainance, Tires, batteries, plugs, wires etc. Has the original motor, transmission, starter. Insurance costs are lower than most. Shes got a little rust on the top and the hood has recently lost its top coat of paint but for a dark blue paint it has done pretty well. The interior looks barely used even though it has hauled people/children, lumber (a full 4X8 sheet of plywood will go inside) and all kinds of other cargo. Got it at 92,000 miles after a family with kids. I call it my transformer car. It will tow, haul, rides good on trips. The A/C has been replaced twice the last 50,000 miles. Great bargain.

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  Soooo many problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lori43 - June 4 - 12:00 pm

  I bought this car used Dec 2010, luckily it had a certified warranty. I love it, when everything is working. The sunroof leaked & was resealed, the navagation/radio display had to be replaced, the transmission dissassembled and 17 parts replaced, parking brake switch replaced, seatbelts installed incorrectly fixed, steering gear replaced, swaybar links replaced. Now the A/C only works (sometimes) on drivers side, blows hot on passenger and rear. Over $1400 to fix (replace evaporator core). All of this in a year & a half. Seriously considering taking a loss and trading it in. I simply cant afford the constant repairs.

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  2008 GMC Acadia Transmission - Again! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By jjthk - May 29 - 12:31 pm

  The freshly rebuilt transmission in our Acadia just letgo on us again, leaving stranded for the second time. It was jus rebuilt last Nov (yes, Thanksgiving trip....), so after 6 months it died again. It was REBUILT because GM refused to approve a new unit to be installed, even after being recommended by the dealership. This car has had many problems and only has 64,000 miles. I will be trading this as soon as the latest transmission issue is fixed. No more GM for me. Paid lots of money for a big (certified pre-owned) lemon!

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  Wish I could drive my Arcadia - still in the shop :( - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By paulgueho - May 28 - 3:45 am

  I purchased my Arcadia one month ago & Have only been behind the wheel for only a week - three days after purchasing it I got it home & the DVD player quit working & it had to be replaced then the check engine light came on & I had it checked & the 3rd cylinder wasnt firing then the A/C quit blowing cold- so I took it in & after a bunch of mumbo-jumbo it was fixed so all problems were fixed by the dealership but this has been a very poor car buying experience & I do not think that I will ever get a new or GMC ever again - I just dont feel comfortable or safe with my family in it taking trips & I am waiting for more problems to occour ...............

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  Back to Toyota!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By dsgarvey - May 19 - 12:48 am

  We bought a 2011 Terrain SLE-1, then had leather, DVD and sunroof added, just came out cheaper that way. Sunroof messed up within about six months, air condition stopped working around the same time in the middle of summer. The 4 cylinder is so under powered its pathetic and makes the worst sounds when cranking up. Also here lately its been dying after being started. Now the gas mileage, well it sucks! GMC must measure MPG alot different than I do, but I have never got close to 32 on the highway. The average with about 70% highway and 30% city stays at 19mpg. We are looking to getting back into a Toyota ASAP while this thing is still running.

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  7 times in the shop first year - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By kathy75 - May 16 - 6:25 pm

  I thought I was exchanging a 9 year Murano that was needing its 5 transmission (which was still under warranty and was no longer reliable as something I could depend on, wrong! This 2011 terrain has been in the shop 7 times for a total of the same 3 problems. 4 times for cutting off and cutting out on me, the lift gate made loud noises when it got hot and finally after 5 times in the shop in which they told me unless it makes the notice when it is in here you will just have wait until breaks, well it did and came down on my head. The air stopped working last summer twice while it was in the high 90s you could turn it back on after about 20 minutes and it would work again.

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  Great looking and performing Truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By rhawes - May 13 - 2:19 pm

  Bought a ’09 4x4 Quad Cab SLT fully loaded with Z71 suspension and the 5.3L V-8 engine new for vacation travel and to use when going skiing by our cabin in northern Arizona. This truck has been everything I thought it would be and more! I had looked and test drove other trucks in the mid-size class the Toyota was the only one that came close to it, but Iwould have had to settle for a basic 4x4 quad cab model for what I paid for this truck. Toyota offers a 4.0L engine which didn’t seem to have the pull of the 4.3L that was in my ’98 S10. If GMC hadn’t offered the 5.3L engine, I “might” have considered the Toyota a bit more, but after driving one then the choice was simple.

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  Will never buy another GM!! - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By suzie_q_757 - May 11 - 10:17 am

  I purchases my envoy about 1 1/2 yr ago and about 1 month later the airbag, oil pressure, stabli link, and gas sensors went out in it!! About 6 months ago I noticed that the bottom of the rear doors are rusting. I called GM and they say that since it is not rusting completly threw the doors yet it would not be covered under the corrosion warranty, but they will cover it as a courtosy? Really?!? Okay so after getting the approval I asked what im suppose to do while my vehicle will be in the bodyshop for a week and they said they do not cover rentals or loaner vehicles under the corrosion warranty!! [non-permissible content removed]! This vehicle has caused me nothing but headaces!! I will be trading this in! no more GM

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  Drove them all... - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By peterfletcher - May 3 - 11:19 pm

  I looked at everything & mean everything! It came down to the Dodge Durango, Jeep GC, Toyota 4Runner & Acadia. I rented a Durango and Jeep for a couple of days. Both of them had driving positions that didnt allow me to read the gauges because the steering wheel blocked it. In the Jeep, the A Pillar is way to wide & the roof line to low to be comfortable. With the rear seats down, the Durangos load floor was so high that my dog was breathing down my neck and could be pitched out the side window. The 4runner was nice, but the rear air vents were blocked when rear seat was folded flat, the passenger seat sits very high and is not adjustable plus no sunroof delete available in my state(Im 63").

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  Really Reliable, Aside from Some Maintenance - 1994 GMC Jimmy
  By kingsolidsteve - April 24 - 1:50 am

  This was the first vehicle I used to learn how to drive. My dad bought it from a small private dealer in 2006, and I became the primary driver of the Jimmy the following year. During the three years I had it, the A/C, fuel pump, starter, alternator, battery, and a belt had to be replaced. Luckily, it ran well without any problems after that. However, it got abysmal gas mileage, usually 10-14 mpg, but I think that may have been attributed to the fuel pump issue. The power windows also started to die towards the end, but thats to be expected of an older vehicle. Overall, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to have driven this vehicle and will remember it well since it was my first.