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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  Buyers Remorse - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By jerrim - February 29 - 8:59 am

  When it was time to trade in our minivan, I began looking at crossovers. It appeared that the Acadia could not be beat for features, styling, and gas mileage. It did not take long for me to have buyers remorse. It has not come close to meeting the advertised mpg. I do the majority of my driving in the city and only get between 12-14 mpg! I have never gotten above 17.5 mpg on a highway roadtrip. This car has much less cargo space than my minivan and no storage room in the front other than the passenger seat for a purse, book, etc. The nav system has been unreliable. It looks pretty but does not meet the needs of our family. It has less than 10,000 miles and Im ready to trade it in.

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  300 Thousand Miles - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By 300ksuburban - February 25 - 5:05 pm

  300 Thousand Miles on my 1999 GMC Suburban. Original engine and Transmission.

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  ONCE A DREAM CAR, NOW A NIGHTMARE!!! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By asheywashey - February 23 - 11:01 am

  I always wanted this car and finally bought it and now absolutely hate it!!! The service air bag light stays on and there was a recall and still not fixed:( we got a DVD player installed and it will only play 2 movies due to the wiring, it has stalled on us because it was on a tilt and it had about a 1/4 tank gas and so it wouldnt start, plus it already needed a computer upgrade, the same time the back hatch sensor was broken so we couldnt open the hatch, the plastic falls off of the doors, the back seat, even on the outside of the roof its slipping off. We baby this car and it still has tons of issues. It doesnt get up and go when pushing on the gas, and if you go fast it shakes everything.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By spervman - February 15 - 8:14 pm

  I am 31 years old and this is the 3rd straight GM vehicle that I have owned. Bout my first one at 17. The Acadia is known for issues with its transmission, roof leaks, etc. I have to say that I have been 100% satisfied with mine. The only recommendation that I can think of would be to improve the mpg. I currently average about 18 mpg and that is a good combination of highway and city mileage. So that is more like what to expect. BUT! The Acadia is a very spacious family vehicle. So what exactly is everyone on here expecting?? 32mpg? For that, youre in the wrong market of vehicles anyways.

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  Fuel+Oil Sending Unit Failures - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By flexiblesink61 - February 10 - 5:54 am

  It is truely amazing why this issue does not cause GM to issue a Full recall on all cars in this line GMC, Buick and Chevy for fuel and oil sending unit replacements. You are driving blind. This issue alone has convinced me that I will never buy another GM product. Service department in dealerships are terrible and their systems dont work most of the time. They told me to keep driving with the problem and call them back in a few days to see if their systems come back on line. Toyota did the right thing when confronted with their issues. I own part of GM and I insist That GM should take responsibility and fix these issues, since both my trucks have the same issues.

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  So Far So Good - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By bayerleinbio - February 8 - 8:39 pm

  I just bought this crossover. I looked at all crossovers - foreign and domestic - price, and mpg - and found Acadia a bit larger than I would have initially prefered, however I was impressed. I drive mainly in a small town, and I get 17 mph, with an average speed of 22mph from block to block. Ive owned Chevy trucks, a Tahoe, and an ML 350 Benz which I traded in for the Acadia. The interior is amazing, roomier than Toyota Rav4 (which was really narrow). Acceleration on Interstate was fine - I am not a dynamic quick driver rabbit start driver, so this vehicle suites my driving style nicely. Great to have the camera - in color - in the rear view mirror.

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  A BIG MISTAKE - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By sgthaight - February 8 - 6:12 pm

  Leased this vehicle in 4 cylinder, was promised 26/32 mpg city/highway. A BLATANT LIE FROM GMC! Veh gets 14-16 in town and cant get over 21 on the highway. GMC was contacted and set up a service check at the dealer. They came up with every phony excuse you could think of. Too much weight in the veh (which is empty) to the mileage gauge must be reset every time ( even though the On-Star app says the lifetiMe average mileage of both city/highway is 17). Avoid this car at all expense, it has no power and the mileage SUCKS. GMC will try to blame you for the crummy mileage if you complain. Searching for a lawyer to take on the big GMC Corp. Buy American, but not this American vehicle.

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  Really Disappointed in my Terrain... - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By sllmd0202 - February 4 - 7:26 pm

  My husband and I bought the 2011 GMC Terrain about a year ago. In the last six months, its been in the shop twice now. The first time was for an electrical issue...a terminal in the back of the car had corroded causing it to pull power on the ignition and drain the battery. It took the dealership almost two weeks to diagnose and fix. Then, six months later it would start but anytime you gave it gas, it would cut off. Still in the shop after two weeks with no answer. As both my husband and I being prior Toyota owners, I definitely regret buying this car. I should have kept with Toyota. Just an overall bad experience.

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  Great car, few major issues - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By tilave - January 29 - 2:05 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for about six years now, I really have grown attached to it and cant seem to get rid of it. Over the years it has not given me any major issues except for two things. One being the starter switch which I replaced three times and the other being the air suspension which started leaking at about 80k miles. Other than those things the car is rock solid. Great for camping and long trips.

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  Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bwall2 - January 28 - 5:13 pm

  This is my 3rd posting about the horrible gas mileage of this vehicle. I would love a class action suit for performance....I bought it for the 32 mpg expecting to receive at least 27-28 mpg. How disgusting! I like driving my Camry Hybrid - 38-41 mpg - and 76,000 miles on it. No more GM products for me!