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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  myjimmy - 2000 GMC Jimmy
  By scotto1 - August 29 - 7:35 pm

  i bought mine this year and the 4 wheel drive didnt work. it turned out to be 40 dollar dash switch so i was lucky. sunroof also doesnt work but other than that im glad i bought it. its got good power and doesnt hurt too much on gas. its the perfect thing for me!

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  Acadia is a great family vehicle - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By toxner - August 24 - 7:25 am

  I rate this vehicle very high. It is a joy to drive and it is very comfortable for the family to travel in. To me it is very responsive and drives really nicely. It is a bigger SUV but the room inside is amazing. I love the styling and look of the vehicle.

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  Transmission and power steering - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By kimba71 - August 23 - 7:10 pm

  I have a 2007 Acadia with 70,000 miles on it. I am having major transmission problems. It slips all the time. Some times it will not go into gear. It is very dangerous when exiting onto a highway. In addition, there is a cover that apparently does not cover the power steering fluid/belt? they did not fully explain this well. The issue is when it really rains, the car does not steer. So I have ended up in a median and some other odd places. Luckily no one has been hurt... yet. I get endles repairs on this car. I see others are having the same issues. [violative content deleted]

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  piece of junk - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By risas - August 19 - 1:18 pm

  i have a 2008 and its been a piece of junk the service air bag stays on its been at the dealer 3 times they fix it, and a couple of weeks after ,it comes back . check engine light is been on for a couple of years something to do with emission. i have to fix it once a year to pass inspection.front end knocks when turning sounds like an old truck.and it doesnt stop there every time i put gas, it has a hard time to start back up. really dissapointed.

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  First SUV - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By driggle - August 15 - 11:39 pm

  This is my first try at an SUV. My last car was an Accord, and I have to say I am thrilled I made the jump. I avoided SUVs in the past because of the ride, handling, and noise, but the last 8 months with my Terrain have proved me wrong. I love riding up high, no more falling into or climbing out of the seat. The ride is far more comfortable than my Accord was, the interior has far less road noise, and power from the V6 is much better than my 4 cylinder Accord was (no surprise there!) The cargo versatility is amazing, I love the sound system and the Terrain feels very well put together. I am very happy after 8 months and have had no issues and feel very confident I made the right choice.

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  My take on Mileage and Interior Design - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By sood02491 - August 12 - 11:45 am

  Bought Acadia Denali 2011 - Have 1800 miles on it now. Mileage: I drive on Highway 5 Los Angeles back and forth to work. I leave home around 6.30 A.M - Get 22-24 MPG Leave work around 4 P.M -Get 16-17 MPG City : 14-17 MPG Do not go by the on board computer that shows how many miles per gallon you are getting - Calculate yourself - Fill Tank - Note mileage - Drive and put some miles on it and then Fill again to see how many gallons you used. Interior: I have owned Navigator, Audi A6 before. I traded Accord to get this - Accord had way more leg room than this - Find it hard to rest left foot when driving - Get very frustrated because of poor design - Not enough leg room.

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  Criminal MPG Advertising!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By fathero3 - August 5 - 5:00 pm

  I have never written a review before but feel obligated to warn others of my mistake. I bought my 2011 GMC Terrain in Dec 2010. As of August 2011, I have put close to 20K miles on my vehicle...mostly all highway mileage due to outside sales. After extensive research on this vehicle, and others in its class, I went with the Terrain for the advertised highway MPG. I read all of the reviews that explicitly pointed out that the mileage fell short. I assumed that if it fell short of the 32 MPG around 26-28 MPG, thats still great. I have done everything possible to only get 22-23 MPG at best...at that is in the "ECO" mode. Ive developed OCD watching instantaneous fuel economy. Terrible!

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  The GMC Terrain Rocks! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By lauramil - July 29 - 10:41 pm

  My husband and I recently purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain from Wade Raulerson GMC in Gainesville, FL. I get a new vehicle just about every year but this is one ride that I plan on keeping! I have never been so happy with a vehicle. It gets great gas mileage and everywhere I go I receive compliments on it and people ask me where I got it. The ride is smooth, no outside noise inside, the seats are comfortable and there is plenty of backseat room.

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  Extremely Concerned Customer - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By jaeh1984 - July 28 - 12:59 pm

  I purchased my 2010 Acadia in August of 2009. It has 30,000 miles on it. It has never been wrecked. It is currently sitting in the shop for transmission repairs. I would appreciate it if someone could contact me about my car. I am beyond upset about my "new" car needing such serious repairs.

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  Had to share - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cj21 - July 26 - 11:52 am

  I am the person who always looks at the reviews of cars but never write one. I must say I am compelled to write one on the Terrain. Ive had my SUV since Feb. 2011 and I must say I don’t have any major complaints. I use to drive a KIA and that was a lemon. Before that I drove GMC vehicles. I am so glad to drive a GMC again. It was a defiantly change for me going from a V6 to a 4cyl. As far as the gas mileage goes, I am concern about how long a tank of gas for me will last. It last about a week and half to 2 weeks. That’s a lot longer than with the KIA V6. Overall I am glad I got the Terrain. It’s good on bumps & long road trips. If you want to buy this SUV I think you will be happy.