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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  Not worth your time or money - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By batesoh - February 12 - 8:56 am

  Bought the car new. At 20,000 miles engine was removed to repair the timing chain sensor. A/C broke on a trip from Cleveland to Chicago. Recall to delete the heated wiper fluid option (+$100 check). More timing chain issues at 36,000 miles. Rear liftgate malfunctioned: would not close/would not stay closed. A/C broke again on very same trip again. Transmission failure-after a month at the dealer, new transmission was installed. A/c broke for the 3rd time on a short two-hour trip at 58,000. I waved the white flag and bought a 2011 Land Rover LR4. Acadia had lots of neat features far to many issues and an under powered engine.

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  Lemon - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cybergoatguy - November 29 - 3:53 pm

  I thought I was getting the same as everyone else when buying the 2011 Terrain, but looks like Ive got the same issues and more - oil disappears (my service manager told me they were told by GM that theres a bug in the engine and it burns oil and they dont know why or how to resolve it - she told me to check and add oil every 1000kms). Also, my truck has 66000 kms, and its been in the garage for two week periods twice in the last three months - I got it back yesterday and theyve changed the tranmission (completely) and the timing belt. And other parts too many to mention. Lemon. Im going to see what I can get from GM for "customer loyalty" and then trade it in.

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  Stay away! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By see1 - November 15 - 8:24 pm

  We bought this car 3 years ago because of the comfort of the 3rd row seat and cargo space. We have had numerous electrical issues, seat belts and tire sensor issues and replacement of the rack and pinion steering. We paid $400 to have the headlight replaced! Within the last month we have had to replace 3 engine mounts that ROTTED (car is kept in a garage but mechanic says this happens to "all" cars!). 2 weeks after that the transmission failed. We bought this car because it was big enough for our family. Now we dont even feel its safe enough to put our family in. The steering wheel squeaks everytime you turn the wheel and the dash board shakes at high speeds. Awful!!

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  2009 acadia in cab air filter - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By karen105 - November 15 - 11:28 am

  Never have had such a bad experance before! Purchased this used SUV this last July from Gilbert Ford in Moscow, Id. Drove this car home and when I got on a country road, which is gravel the air conditioning started blowing dirt into the cabin. There is NO in cab air filter!!! Thus the whole enviorment, durt, allergens and fumes are taken into the cab with you. Complained to dealer and at this time still do NOT have a filter in place. After sale service is horrible at the above dealership. If your thinking of buying an Acadia older than a 2012 make sure there is an in cab filter if you want to be able to breath.

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  Stay Away - Its Time for a Class Action Suit - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By lynnlove62 - November 5 - 9:15 am

  I purchased my 2009 Acadia new in 2009. Within the first month, Tire pressure sensor was bad, Service engine soon light came on twice, had to replace Rack inpinion within the first year, Water pump went out, traction control/antilock break/stabilitrack system sensors have been replaced/reset/you name it, numerous times and still is not fixed, head lights went out and they tired to charge me over $400 for the repair which i refused, received a recall for the headlights exactly one month later, vehicle rolls back when in gear if im on an incline (drastic roll back), seatbelts had a sensor problem twice, airbags had a sensor problem twice, and im out of space for the rest..............

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  GMC Bombed on ths one!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By ava1969 - October 15 - 5:09 pm

  Needed a larger vehicle so traded my car in Dec 2010 for a new 2011 Terrain. I have always loved GMC but this has made me reconsider. They REALLY BOMBED on this one...its a JOKE! Its been in the shop many times. 1) Gas mileage is straight out a lie. Cannot get the gas mileage they claim by going down hill with a tail wind. 2) Leather seat cover zipper ripped wthin first year, also, they contiinue to pull up and away from the seats. 3) Service airbag light goes on and off and has been "fixed" several times...lol. 4) Rear storage charging port comes out...again, "fixed" several times. 5) AC has complete mind of its own. Will be workng great then blows hot air. 6) stalls and wont start

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  Transmission/Acceleration issues - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By tdenny - August 29 - 11:22 pm

  Size, features, extras all were a perfect match for me and my family. We have 2 kids, now entering grade school, so the extra seat for carpool and their stuff was great, yet the car drives more like a minivan than a large SUV. Unfortunately, Ive had the car for 3 months, the transmission seems to slip and jerk constantly and now, the most scary part - while accelerating from stop, the car sometimes takes 5 seconds to engage. This is 5 seconds for another car to T-Bone you in an intersection. My good wife dealt with it for several months, I experienced it myself this last week. Working with the dealer to return now.

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  Nothing but problems since day one - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By jlmjones - August 29 - 11:02 am

  This car is, by far, the worst vehicle weve ever owned. After owning a Yukon Delani, I was looking forward to buying another GMC. Huge mistake, this will be the last GMC we will ever buy. The water pump has gone out, its had a flurry of random electrical problems, the airbag only is on about 1/2 the time someone is in the passenger seat and now the tranny is blown at less than 60k. Im shocked GMC is selling such an unreliable car to consumers. Ive been broken down on the side of the road twice now. They need to recall these cars and reimburse those of us who have to put in new trannys (according to the dealership doing our repairs, GM is FULLY aware of the issue and doesnt care).

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  2007 GMC ACADIA TRAMSMITTION ISSUES - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By silver5555 - June 28 - 2:48 pm

  we bought this SUV in 2007, it now has 108,785 miles, the transmittion is acting up, somehow it remains in 3rd gear. if you have an Acadia be sure to take it to the dealer before 100,000 miles to have it checked out. the repair cost $3,751. I contacted GMC customer service, at first they didnt want to help me with my issue, but I am hoping and praying for them to change their mind. Ive had too many problems with this SUV, stay away from it, it has great looks, but quality is below standard for $35,000 SUV

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  Back to Toyota!!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By dsgarvey - May 19 - 12:48 am

  We bought a 2011 Terrain SLE-1, then had leather, DVD and sunroof added, just came out cheaper that way. Sunroof messed up within about six months, air condition stopped working around the same time in the middle of summer. The 4 cylinder is so under powered its pathetic and makes the worst sounds when cranking up. Also here lately its been dying after being started. Now the gas mileage, well it sucks! GMC must measure MPG alot different than I do, but I have never got close to 32 on the highway. The average with about 70% highway and 30% city stays at 19mpg. We are looking to getting back into a Toyota ASAP while this thing is still running.