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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  99 Sonoma SLS 4.3, v6, 4x4, 3 door - 1999 GMC Sonoma
  By herb25 - March 31 - 11:02 pm

  After going through 3 cars that did not last as long as they should have, I got this truck last year. It had 200000kms on it, the motor sounded like new. The previous owner did not replace the faulty gas gauge which meant changing the fuel pump. I ran out of gas twice before I learned and had the fuel pump replaced (the faulty sending unit is part of the pump). Also the passenger seat would not recline, a mistake at the factory so I bought a parts truck ( 2000 Blazer ) and took the seat from it. I got the truck for $6000, safieted and etested, but so far I have had to replace the rear brake lines, and 3 calipers, gas tank, fuel pump, and rad, signal light switch.

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  NOt bad over the years - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By jjb99 - March 23 - 11:37 am

  I wanted to pass along my thoughts on this car. I had bought new and had the following replaced: Ball joints, intake manifold gasket, door hinges. That said, until now I have not had many issues other than fuel economy. The doors have awful hinges that are not adjustable. If they are used a lot, they fail and need to be drilled out and re-bushed. Terrible design. Lastly, I am now in the looking for another SUV because the Jimmy needed a Crankshaft Sensor replaced because of fouling caused by the intake coolant leak. Well it needed a computer "reset" to fix the erratic engine and now I think we killed the motor. Oh well, 160,000 not bad.

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  Love my Acadia!! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By nina3330 - March 16 - 5:44 pm

  I researched the Acadia before purchasing ours in Nov 2010 so I was hesitant from some reviews I had seen. I did find the leak from the sunroof and they fixed it right away. There also is a wheezing sound that comes from the steering, but Im sure if I took it in they would fix it. I am so happy with my purchase!! The kids (we have 3) and I love the car! Its been great on 8 hour trips to visit family and has everything from tons of cup holders to our DVD player! I understand the comments, its annoying that the leak happened but I would buy this car AGAIN and AGAIN! If you are not ready for a minivan but need the functional side, this car is great! I get 17mpg city/ 20mpg freeway...

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  Happy Owner - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By new_terrain - March 12 - 11:58 am

  Ive owned the vehicle for a few weeks and am very satisfied so far. There was a problem with accessing music on my iPhone4 via the USB port. I kept getting error messages stating "Unsupported iPod device" and "Unsupported USB device". This was very frustrating. After Googling the problem, it turns out the issue is NOT unique to GM vehicles --- indicating the problem was with the iPhone, not the car. Fortunately, I was able to update the software on the iPhone4 to the latest version (Version 4.3), which was very straightforward using iTunes. This appears to have fixed the problem. I hope this helps others with the same problem.

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  My most favorite vehicle yet - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By debsop - March 4 - 2:28 pm

  Ive owned quite a few cars in my 40 years of driving and I am loving my 2011 Terrain the most. My husband and I are probably a salesmans worse nightmare when it comes to going over every detail, however the Terrain excels at all and for the price you can drive the vehicle loaded up with a more comfortable ride than the Cadillac version. We test drove both and I found the Cadillac to wallow on the road, struggle and scream on the highway for lack of power and the Terrain is as smooth as silk. Ive owned Grand Ams, Mustangs, Firebirds, Monte Carlos and bang for buck this is as close to Im probably going to get to an Escalade. Cant think of a thing Id like to add to it.

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  Trusty Rusty - 1993 GMC Suburban
  By rg31 - March 3 - 9:43 am

  We have had this Suburban for about 13 years now it was built in WI in 1993 and never left the state so the salt has taken its toll on the body but even at almost 200,000 miles it starts everytime and still runs as strong as it every has so it is a great first car for me it is a truck that is amazing in any terrain i drive it in dirt, mud, snow, ice, any terrain it handles it great it amazes people because it is a stock gas powered truck and it can out work and out perform raised diesel trucks that are out here if i buy another truck it will be just like this one

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  Power Steering - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By hayley1 - March 2 - 10:22 am

  I bought my 2009 GMC Acadia on December 27, 2010. Before I made may first payment my power steering went out. Got it back had it two weeks, and once again the power steering went out almost caused us to flip. It has been in the shop more than I have had it. It only has 24,000 miles. This car makes me very nervous! Not for sure I even want it back this round.

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  Great Car for the first 3 years - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By envoydenali - March 1 - 5:10 pm

  This was a great car for the first few years. I bought it new a month or two before the 2007s came out and got it for right around invoice price. The interior is nice, performs well, tows well (but Ive never towed anything super heavy). However I started having problems shortly after the warranty ran out. -At 40K the fuel level sensor went out, the dealer wanted $700 to fix. I had it done with a $35 part from ebay and $200 labor. -At 72K the transmission went out, $2300 -At 92K the engine had to be replaced, $6700 -At 93K the throttle sensor had to be replaced Even though it was great at first, the last 1-2 years have made me regret buying this car.

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  2010 GMC Terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By baja2011 - February 15 - 4:26 pm

  First Off, we decided to buy the 4 cylinder over the 6, cause we thought we would get the 32-35 mpg on the highway. we are lucky if we get 24 mpg on the highway even with the ECO mode enabled and nitrogen in the tires. The dealership were acting like these terrains are the hottest selling vehicle on the market, but when you get inside-just a lot of shaped plastic parts and dash and bright red interior at night. Im not impressed with this vehicle at all and the price we paid for it. Very Disappointed in this Vehicle. We will not buy another terrain.

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  Love the Acadia, but does have lots of problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By bamamom1 - February 15 - 9:08 am

  I bought a 2007 Acadia in 2010 and it is Feb 2011 now. I bought it with 50,000 miles on it. It already in less than a year having it had to have a new transmission put in it..The front evaporator core went out..so A/C did not work at all. now my power Steering pump is going out, causing it to make a loud sound. I dont drive bad, I have three small children so I know its not me tearing it up. It would be okay if it was little things but these are major. Ive spent 1000s fixing it because it did not have warranty. So Please if you buy this vehicle..I would suggest getting the FULL warranty on it