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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  MPG farce big time - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By teamtrout - October 2 - 11:46 pm

  The vehicle rides great, low road noise, smooth handling. But where is the great gas mileage. Just got mine and drove from Norman, Ok. to Springfield, Mo and got 20.7 mpg!!!!! Even though its not broken in yet it should get more than that. Spent the extra bucks to get the gas mileage but now...Im still poor.

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  Disappointed - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By nothappy26 - September 29 - 4:28 pm

  I am so angry right now. My 2007 Envoy has 45,000 miles. At 34,000 miles the fuel guage stop working (i had it fixed $800 because I have small children and did not want to be standed with them). At 45,000 my battery, alternator and now the computer just went so nothing will blow out the vents, In the past 3 weeks I have put $1,000 into the car. My husband would not consider buying a foreign car but we might be changing our mind.

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  Gas Mileage Tanks - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By kristarc - September 27 - 7:49 am

  My husband and I researched many vehicles before deciding the Terrain was the best SUV for our needs without sucking our wallet dry. I have owned the Terrain for a month now. My daily driving is mostly highway and I am only getting about 23 miles a gallon. I didnt expect to get 32 but I did expect more than this. The vehicle also shifts hard and jerky. I think GMC needs to review their claims of great gas mileage before many others are misled. They also owe myself and thousands of other people gas cards!!

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  Very Disappointed - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By maysdmm - September 22 - 6:38 pm

  I have had numerous problems with this car. Water pump, brakes, stabilitrak system, computer, gasket problems. I use to get 17 MPG in the city, now it has dropped to 13 MPG. Thankfully all of these are covered under the warranty. Love the style and design, but the reliability is pathetic.

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  Totally dissapointed - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By jauno - September 20 - 8:57 pm

  Should have known better. Why did I but an american car. Traded my wifes 2002 Mitsubishi with 110k miles the never gave a single problem for a 2008 Acadia. What was I thinking the car has been in the repair shop more time then I can remember. Problems with brakes, rear gate, brakes, electrical short, had replace radiotar and latest the transmission. Its sad to say but from the get go I had my doubts about this car and because I didnt fell comfortable buying american, I had to spend another 2 grand on a extended warranty. I only purchase the car because wife fell in love the style and color of car. All I can tell you is that IIl never buy an american car again.

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  buy a yukon!! - 1999 GMC Yukon
  By tragedy - September 19 - 9:39 pm

  i bought this truck its a 99 yukon 4 yrs ago it currently has 139,500 miles. ive replaced all brakes,water pump,radiator,battery brakes i did just so i could feel secure,others i believe had something to do with the weather where i was living and coolant not being fresh it was 7 degrees when my radiator cracked lol.. ive not had any issues with the truck never stranded ive posted it 3 times to sell it and 3 times i blew off the buyers lol i got cold feet i love my truck and cant see myself selling it for no reason other then bad gas mileage but i bought a shadow bike to make up for my gas mileage so ill keep it now really reliable truck i recommend it to any1

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  Where is the gas mileage? - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By jess736 - September 19 - 6:53 pm

  We purchased a 4 cyl Terrain earlier this year. We like the vehicle overall but are very disappointed with the 21.6 MPG average over the first 9000 miles of driving. Most of the driving is on the freeway. Even on a long trip the best ever on a tank of gas was 23.5mpg. The main reason for us selecting the Terrain over other SUVs was the advertised mileage. We really feel we were scammed. I know that the EPA mileage to be questionable but to exaggerate the numbers by over 33% is almost criminal. Of course the salesman sold us on the 32 MPG but after talking to the service techs they tell me that there is no way that this vehicle can get more that 23 to 24 MPG. Of course now that we ha

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  good vehicle - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By collegekid20 - September 15 - 12:25 pm

  my jimmys a 2001 that i received as my first vehicle a couple of years ago i put around 20,000 miles on it myself and its still below 100,000 miles and it runs amazing the only major problems ive had so far is my brake calipers seized up which is my fault for letting it sit too long, my spedometer doesnt work quite correctly and my fuel sensor is a little dirty but other then that i beat the crap out of it especially in winter and it still runs amazing, but if you dont keep up with it maintence wise then yea youll have problems, but thats with all vehicles

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  2012 GMC Terrain SLE AWD 4Cyl - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By jspa - September 2 - 8:48 pm

  The styling, price, value and especially the performance of the vehicle we purchased is outstanding. Test drove a 2012 Terrain SLE AWD and then a 2011 Terrain SLE AWD and each had a four cylinder engine. There is no comparison. The 2012 performed much better, in my opinion, perhaps due to the VVT engine. We have this vehicle for about a month. It has a smooth, quiet ride, good acceleration on hills, and overall a great looking SUV in black.

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  Good, but more couldve been done from 02-09 - 2009 GMC Envoy
  By wns808 - August 30 - 4:55 pm

  Used to have an 09 Envoy SLE 4 wheel drive, loved the car but due to financial reasons I traded this vehicle in for a more affordable, efficient vehicle. The drive was smooth, Bose stereo was good, even a Hitch came standard although I never used it.