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:

• 

  Great little SUV! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By dalerex - April 18 - 6:07 pm

  I have had my 2012 Terrain for less than three weeks now and simply love it. For the price, it is a quality vehicle.

• 

  Nothing but issues - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By unhappy07owner - April 5 - 6:56 pm

  I purchased my 2007 Acadia last May and since that date it has been in the shop a lot. The transmission had a lag so we had it in to get it repaired, they did some computer update and about a month later the transmission failed, so into the shop and a new rebuilt trani was put in, but still had the lag from 4th to 5th. So in again to have it looked at. The company increased the rpms so that there was no more lagging. I have gone trouble free for a few months and now it is my steering. Something to do with the inside mechanism of the steering colomn. I am thinking that GM really made a lemon here. Especially reading everyones complaints about the same things.

• 

  2011 GMC Terrain Poor Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By longbow1 - March 26 - 10:07 am

  Purchased our 2011 GMC Terrain Feb 2011 and still waiting for 32 mpg. If I knew the mileage was going to suck Id purchase the V6 to give me better pick up, passing acceleration, and cruise control performance going up freeway hills. We love our Terrain except for the engine and mpg. The best mileage experienced on our trips to Utah and Arizona from California is 23.2. Currently in the city 21.2. Wheres the miles per gallon as advertised. Just saw a 2013 Terrain commercial on TV last night (3/25/12) boasting 32 mpg. Both my wife and I laughed!

• 

  Constant Problems - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By gbread - March 26 - 9:53 am

  Unfortunately, one week after purchasing my GMC Acadia SLTII, one of the tires blew out and had to be replaced. It has gotten no better. This car gets the worse gas mileage of any vehicle I have ever owned. It gets less than 14 mpg, and is costing me an arm and a leg. The transmission constantly slips, and it has been in the shop for a broken water pump, non-cooling air conditioner and problems with the DVD player. The dealer has been very helpful upon each instance, however, I am sure they are getting tired of having to get me rental cars regularly since the car, still under warranty, is in the shop all of the time. I cant wait to get rid of this car, and will never buy GMC again.

• 

  2007 GMC Envoy Fuel Gauge - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By nettieg - March 25 - 6:33 pm

  I have driven (and love) my 2007 Envoy. The truck is so comfortable & it has been 100% reliable for me. I currently have 35,600 original miles on it. It is a total disappointment to me that GMC refuses to pay for a replacement fuel gauge. I sure cant afford to pay half ($325.00) for a new gauge anymore then anyone else can. I tried to appeal to GMC because I am 60 years old & on Social Security Disability, but to no avail. The company evidently does not care what sort of "American made (???)" parts suppliers it deals with. So for now, with gas at $3.95/gallon, I just top off the tank every 5 days. I hope that at some point, a GMC executive drove the Envoy & ran out of gas.

• 

  Just Okay - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By hobbie2k - March 15 - 3:50 pm

  I bought my Jimmy from a friend on deployment largely because of a good price, low miles, and because its an improvement over the $500 car I was driving, but it hasnt turned out to be as much of an improvement as I had hoped. The Jimmy is just another typical 90s American SUV. That means poor fuel economy, uncomfortable ride, poor build quality, cheap interiors, questionable reliability, and lackluster performance. In two months Ive had to replace the intake manifold gaskets (common problem), lower ball joints (common problem), front and rear wiper motors (common problem), power steering lines (common problem), and now I think a U-joint is failing. It seems all the problems are common.

• 

  Acadia--smooth but flawed - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By reefball1 - March 13 - 9:18 pm

  Smooth, comfortable ride. However: 1. The dealer installed rear DVD players (mounted in the headrests) have a headphone jack but no way to control the volume. Headphones that are plugged in are dangerously loud for children. 2. The rear audio control is horrible: when the radio station is changed by a child in the back seat, it changes the station on the front control panel. 3. USB jack is awkwardly mounted in a box on the dashboard, so my iphone cable gets pinched and hangs down the front of the control panel. 4. Console in armrest is poorly designed and barely tall enough for sunglasses.

• 

  Great Truck - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By tmgj - March 9 - 4:38 am

  My Dad bought my suburban new and put 170,000 miles on it. He replaced the fuel pump and the transfer case. I bought it from him and have put another 40,000 on it. Ive replaced the starter and the transfer case(again). At 210,000 it still runs great, drives down the highway like a dream and gets 18mpg on the highway. Im not going to downgrade to a smaller truck/suv to increase the mpgs by 3! When I wax it, it almost looks new....almost. I plan to take it to 300,000, the best part, no car payment, I always remind myself of that when Im filling up the 40 gallon tank.

• 

  Bad gas mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By elvis711 - March 5 - 2:04 pm

  Just like everyone else- 22-25 MPG. Also, it does a hard shift all the time, and often when pressing on the gas, it hesitates, as though it had to think if it was the brake or the gas , it makes you very angry when driving. Terrible experience. One good thing is the storage. Too bad we cannot afford to road trip with the crap mileage.

• 

  wow!!!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By kimmyac - February 29 - 9:44 am

  I leased my 2011 Acadia in July of 2010, straight off the truck, first GMC I have ever driven. I was at the time driving an Explorer 7pass., that I was in love with and swore by. I was actually going to buy another one. However just paying attention to the different SUVs on the road, I liked the look and test drove a Saturn Outlook first. Then the GMC Acadia caught my eye. I went to the dealer to test drive one, and the next day my mind was made up (actually after I drove it my mind was made up) and I was the proud owner of a beautiful, stylish, comfortable, roomy, well handling, just outstanding vehicle in every aspect and detail. Can you tell I love my Acadia?