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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  15k later - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By tim4711 - June 25 - 11:52 pm

  2010 SLE 1 Terrain. I couldnt be happier. Unlike some other unlucky owners my Terrain has performed exactly to spec. My mileage(If I drive under 65mph) hovers right around 27mpg. If I drive over 70 then I get around 24mpg. Around town I am getting 18-20 Mpg. The only issue I have had is my lumbar bladder needed to be replaced. Of course this was a typical GM design error meaning that the replacement was much better. All in all I have no complaints. Its a nice 4cyl. car. For those of you that dont know about the ecotech engine. Try cruising at about 75. I think you might be surprised at how the car feels:)

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  Very, very dependable! - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By swkntexas - June 25 - 7:19 am

  I am the second owner of my 2002 Envoy. Bought it in 2006 with 52k miles. It presently has 110k and had never once needed repairs. Ive had to replace the battery and tires, but those are expected repairs. Yesterday, I took it in for the 90k service and also requested a complete check of all parts, engine and otherwise. The original rotors and brake pads were due for replacement - but, I was told they could last another 2,000 miles. The serpentine belt had minor cracks, and was told it would last a few thousand more miles. Needless to say, I replaced all that was found after looking at the old parts myself. After 110k there have been no major mechanical problems. Very impressed.

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  Great vehicle! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By dsinc72 - June 24 - 4:06 pm

  I have had my Terrain for approx 3 weeks now and I love it so far. The interior is very spacious and comfortable, and the ride is very smooth and quiet. The engine does not accelerate super quick, but it is a 4 cyl, so that was expected. I recently drove to Tucson (slight drop in elevation) and got 34 mph, and 29 mph on the way back (sticking to 75-80mph). After a week of driving back and forth to work and in town, my overall avg. was just under 25 mpg. For the people stating they cannot get good gas milage from their Terrain, how fast are you driving? If you are going 85-90 mph, you are not going to get good gas milage on the hwy.

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  Buy something else - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By londregan - June 23 - 9:50 pm

  I just read a review where the writer complained of engine issues/camshaft solenoid issues. I had the same exact problem with my 2011 Terrain. Six and a half weeks after driving it, the engine began to hesitate to a stall. I took it in for service and I was told it was the solenoid. A week later it happened again and I was told the mechanic didn’t attached a hose right. I have 5000 miles on the truck and I am still not getting anywhere near 30 mpg as stated on the fuel mileage. I am driving 55 mph on the highway with cruise control, and eco mode on. Is my engine breaking in still, or is it safe to assume I got a Lemon? Do yourself a favor and buy a Toyota or Honda.

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  Love it!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By jodi0725 - June 20 - 8:52 pm

  We got a new Acadia in March 2011, after a car accident totaled my Equinox. Test drove the Traverse and Acadia and liked the Acadia much more. It drives so smoothly and we love the back up camera. We got the 2 bucket seats in the second row, which is great with 2 small girls. My only complaints are: sun reflection off the air vents and console can be blinding and the windshield wipers located on the same lever as the turn signals take some getting used to. I still turn on my wipers when trying to turn on my signal, and vice versa.

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  Luxury car snob "loves" her new Terrain!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By minnow4 - June 20 - 10:50 am

  So Im one of those people who has only owned high-end luxury cars for the greater part of my adult life. We needed to replace my Q7 after 5 years of owning what we felt was a severely over engineered, annoying vehicle. We purchased a Saab convertible but I was kind of uncomfortable in it after 10yrs of driving an SUV, so we decided to trade in my husbands car & got this & Ive taken it over! I absolutely love everything about it, the Audi got about 15 mpg at the end and this is just so nice when we have to visit the gas station. Its very well appointed and Im really enjoying the OnStar system. Ive been singing its praises to anyone wholl listen! Buy with complete confidence!

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  Give the gas mileage some time! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By mab13 - June 20 - 8:11 am

  I have heard numerous complaints about the gas mileage. I will say, I was one of those people complaining until I took a recent trip and drove nearly 1,500 miles. At this point, I have 6,000 total miles on my Terrain and I can finally say, I AM getting the gas mileage advertised. Until my trip, I was lucky to get 24-26. I am now fairly steady at 29-31. Drove into work this morning (a 1-hour commute) at 30.6 the entire way. I was told to give it time but I was a nay sayer. Im happy to say, it was true. After a good "break-in" period, my Terrain is getting gas mileage. Outside of that, I have no issues whatsoever with this vehicle. Its rugged in appearance and drives wonderfully!

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  My Gas Mileage Experience - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By prbart1 - June 20 - 12:35 am

  Since I bought my Terrain, I have put 6,469 miles on it, doing mainly "suburban" driving in the Chicago area (stop signs or traffic lights about every mile, on average). In this type of driving (ECO mode on), I now average between 24 & 25 mpg. When the car was new, the mileage was not this high, but it increased as the engine got broken in. Ive also take two road trips in this vehicle (ECO mode off): the first was about 300 miles when the engine was still in "break-in" mode & I got 28.0 mpg. The second trip was about 950 miles, after the "break-in" period (Interstate at a steady 70 mph), & I got 29.8 mpg. I calculate my mpg precisely, so this data is as accurate as I can make it.

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  Gift Gone Bad!!!!Engine Problems. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By asford0211 - June 16 - 9:22 am

  My husband brought this junk for my mothers day gift. The service dept drove the truck more than ME!!! The truck cut off while driving on a major highway three times. The dealer stated they couldnt understand why the check engine light stayed on and they couldnt locate the problem. Finally they changed the intake camshift solenoid sensor???? Wish me luck folks...what a gift..thank you honey for the LEMON!!!!!

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  Oh My Gosh!! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rdwoz - June 13 - 10:50 pm

  Love the look and drive of the 2007 Acadia. Bought it with 30k on in 2008. Started of great. List of problems since we bought it as follows: Sunroof recall-fixed, followed by a severe leak that poured water on my rear seat heated wiper recall, struts replaced at 80k, front seal replaced twice meaning motor was pulled twice, transmission hoses, radio replaced once, and fought for further repairs numerous times before rusted and pinched were found, driver seat slides, but not in for repairs, remote starter barely works at the best of times, and to top it all off, I was driving home recently when I hit a rough patch of highway and my side impact airbags exploded without warning or reason.