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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  Sad Sad - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By car_girl24 - June 10 - 9:43 am

  I have had my 2008 AWD Acadia for 8 months. I have stop driving it because it is averaging 11.5 mpg hwy. I traded a 2004 Pacific for this that I loved I just wanted more room. I loved the car for the first month then all of the sudden the gas mileage took a dump. On my first road trip it got 22 mpg Hwy and 16 mpg city. This is the best I have even seen out of it. I am now in the market for a different SUV. I have had no mechanical issues and it has 76,000 mi. But if you dont care about what kind of mileage you get out of a SUV I have to say this is a great truck. Very comfortable ride.

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  EPA Mileage is accurate --- under right conditions - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By new_terrain - June 7 - 4:47 pm

  I live in a semi rural area where its possible to drive with cruise control set at 50 - 55 MPH. Under these conditions, its entirely possible to get the rated 32 MPG. The EPA definition of "Highway" does not mean "expressway" or "interstate". The EPA test methodology is explained at: [HTML deleted] Note that the average speed on an EPA highway mileage test run is 48.3 MPH. Obviously this isnt representative of a morning commute on an urban expressway. However, the same method is used by the EPA for all vehicles. Even if your driving habits differ, the EPA numbers are still useful on a relative basis. PS I think its a great vehicle

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  Warning GMC doesnt care about customers who buy a used car! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By clesliea - June 7 - 2:20 pm

  I bought a used 2008 (not from a dealer). Pristine condition with 19,000 miles. Quickly, I noticed very faint noise coming from the steering wheel while turning. GMC looked at it said there was a problem with the rack and pinion, steering column and steering stays to the tune of $2,000 w/ labor. My research says this is not uncommon for this model and year. I contacted GMC, they said they would review it for coverage but that because I bought it used they hadnt made any money off me. If I had bought new and it had the same miles they would help since I would have been considered a loyal customer. So much for my customer loyalty. Worried about future since it only has 19,000 miles.

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  $48000 car that does not have a compass - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By buckeye42 - June 7 - 2:00 pm

  Did not find out until after puchase that you can not get a compass on your Denali if you have the Bose entertainment system and the rear entertainment dvd player. Seems kind of cheap of GM to go high end on car but low end on every day useful items.

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  The EPA Lies!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bluesky12 - May 30 - 1:42 pm

  Theres a lot I like about the 2011 GMC Terrain, but unfortunately gas mileage isnt one of those things. I drive a 4-cylinder and use ECO mode and my city MPG is about 21 and highway is no better than 25 MPG tops. Performance overall is adaquate at best. I sacrifice the performance of 6 cylinder to get the better gas mileage and that didnt happen. Now I get mediocre performance and mediocre gas mileage. I bought this vehicle because of the advertised 32 MGP. There is NO WAY on Gods green earth that I could ever get 32 MPG - not even close. The EPA absolutely lied!! If gas milegae is a high priority, dont buy this vehicle. I like a lot of the other features of this vehicle.

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  Tried to love the car - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By joev3 - May 29 - 8:21 am

  I liked the external look and interior space. I took very good care of the care, always garage kept and oil changes every 3-5k with synthetic oil. From the day I drove it out the ABS light went on - that was a loose connector. The Air bag light went on all the time. On long trips the A/C would stop and for a while before coming back on. One day after stoping the car and getting out - the radio stayed on - I had to restart the car and move the steering wheel and stop it again before it would finally go off. I could never get close to the MPG stated, usually in my other cars I am close or higher than the stated mpg. I think the Acadia has real electrical problems and overstated MPG. I real

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  Love this SUV - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By hailtopitt - May 28 - 8:06 am

  My family decided on Terrain because we wanted something smaller than our gas guzzling crew cab truck. We went with the Terrain SLE-1 because it has a great safety rating, had all of the features that we wanted, and our local dealership is very well regarded. So far, we are not disappointed. The four cylinder is nothing spectacular, but it does the job in a very hilly area. Driving in eco mode, we get less than the listed mpg, but we typically see 20/25/30 for city, combined and highway. The interior is extremely comfortable, and the cabin is well designed. We love the sliding back bench as well.

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  Love It! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By susan54935 - May 24 - 8:49 pm

  I bought the 4-cyl because of the promised 32 mpg. I did manage to get 28 mpg on a long trip across country with mostly highway driving. On a regular basis Im getting about 20 mpg. This was the only dissapointment thus far! I have nearly 10,000 miles and have absolutely no complaints! I love the exterior styling of this SUV. The interior is extremely comfortable! I would definitely buy another Terrain in the future - at this point anyway! I love it! We are empty nesters and the cargo space is just perfect for us! It is so easy and comfortable to drive!

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  Maybe I bought a LEMON? - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By heather5586 - May 24 - 12:55 pm

  At 19,000 miles (yes, 19,000) the transmission went completely out. GM did pay for the tow and fixed it quickly. It didnt cost us a penny since it was under the 100,000 powertrain warranty. Currently the vehicle has about 28,000 miles and the transmission has started slipping everytime I take off. In addition, the driver side air conditioner blows out HOT when set on the coldest setting while the passenger side works fine so I have to close all the vents on the driver side and put the passenger side vents on me to get cool air. GM probably wont cover this since its out of the bumper to bumper warranty. This is will probably be the last GM I buy.

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  Fun to drive - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By benedicttb - May 23 - 10:58 pm

  I have had my Acadia for a month and find it fun to drive. The engine has lots of power and excellent pick up. I have 2500 miles on it and found that after 2000 miles the town milage is about 17. It was lower 14 for the first 1000 miles. On the road I got about 23. I have an all wheel drive one, and I suppose the 2 wheel drive model would do better. The sound system is great, and I will continue with xm radio. The seats are very comfortable. I got the one with 2 bucket seats in the second row which causes less friction on who sits in front. I like the size since I can carry a lot more than I could in 4 runner or the jeep my brother has. When you use the phone the fan stops.