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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  Big mistake - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By carroruim - January 15 - 11:19 pm

  Major transmission issues. The car died at 7,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced. Even with a new transmission IÂ’m still having issues with the car shifting gears, it stutters frequently. A new problem since the transmission replacement is that when the low gears shift, it appears that something is rubbing and itÂ’s loud. Since itÂ’s a new model, the techs at the dealership cannot diagnose the problem. I regret buying this car and would not recommend to anyone

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  Mixed Emotions - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By tank26 - January 10 - 1:26 pm

  I bought my 2009 Acadia in May of 2010 with 24,727 mi on it. So far, I have had to take it back to have one of the middle seat plastic seatbelt covers replaced, the cover for one of the middle seat pull downs replaced, and now the plastic at the base of the gear shift has slipped off of the top part and there are wires exposed. Needless to say, I agree with the statement about the cheap plastic parts. I also agree about the chrome lining around the radio and all of the AC vents. It thereÂ’s bright sun light, it gets you from one angle or another no matter what.

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  dont buy this is gas mpg is important to you - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By bravesmama1 - January 7 - 8:47 am

  i traded in a crv to get the terrian because i thought i was going to get better mpg, wrong..dont buy this if you expect the mpg gmc says it will get, i have had it 2 months and i took it out of state xmas and i am getting 26 on highway, 6 miles under what gmc says.. in town about the same 5 miles under....if mpg doesnt matter to you i would recommend this suv, it rides much better than the crv, much roomier..other than the mpg great suv

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  STAY AWAY!!!!! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By chellelynn1962 - December 30 - 10:43 pm

  I purchased my 2009 Acadia March 09. Had rack and pinion replaced, seatbelt sensor, tire sensor, keyless remote collapsed/not covered by bumper to bumper, frame around 2nd row seats coming apart not covered, inside pat of front driver/passenger door coming apart, not covered. Vehicle is a piece of expensive junk, substandard equipment and GMC has no customer relations. Save yourself the trouble and stay away. The bumper to bumper warranty is limited and that is not stated at time of purchase. You find this out after the fact.

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  2007 GMC Acadia - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By tjbo - December 29 - 6:19 pm

  .Very unreliable car. I have had for over 3 years now with the folliwng problems. Steering gear box needed to be replced. Purge soleniod (part of exhaust system) needed to be replaced, leak in monn roof, had to replace two struts at $50k miles, had to replace the transmission at 55k miles. Worst car I have ever owned. Response from GM has been poor at best. They could care less about customer satisfaction. Will never buy a GM prodict again

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  THOROUGH REVIEW - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By patrick1982 - December 23 - 7:19 pm

  Owned an 05 Honda Pilot AWD EX before this one. Test drove the new pilot, traverse, acadia, enclave, 4runner, highlander, cx9. The Acadia out-performed all these. Great interior space, great features if you like the additional XM radio and ONstar services. No lag on the throttle... immediate response, steady cornering and level steering. Superb traction control system disengages acceleration when slipping on ice or when lack of traction, stops engine RPM shootups. ABS system works great. It does weigh nearly 7,000 lbs so braking is a bit more noticable at higher speeds (nose dive). After 5,000+ miles I am averaging 16.3mpg / city and 20.2mpg hwy cruising at 70-75mph...23 or 24mpg as stated??? yeah right! Overall safety specs are sufficient airbags all around, great framework. well thought out interior heating and cooling system, is loud enough to overpower a bluetooth phonecall when turned all the way up. remote start, auto liftgate great features except when parked too close to something. bad side depth perception on back up cam. low road noise, good stock tires (goodyear fortera comfort tread) bad for rain, snow and ice... will hydroplane or loose traction at 45mph+ on standing water. upgrade tires to fortera triple tread (my opinion). steering wheel controls are oddly placed. front wipers on left stick, rear wipers on center console below a/c system controls, why? volume and radio controls in a good consolidated location on steering wheel. good location for cruise control buttons. three locations for liftgate operations (key, on liftgate, and next to rear wipers.. why?) auto dimming rear view mirror great, black lower trim around Acadia difficult to clean need special cleaner from autoparts store. a little above average accessory selection, great audio even without BOSE, radio buttons can be confusing, double vanity lighted shades, dual exhaust great feature. battery location inconvenient (center of car between 2nd row captain seats), deep lubricated slide rails for 2nd row captain seats, much debris can be lodged or stuck in there, not good. inside material "plastic" poor choice of material, easily scuffed, marked up and just unsightly. Maintenance costs are average for this type of vehicle. Great interior storage capacity (glovebox, center console armrest area and rear liftgate area.

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  Great car - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By boyd4447 - December 21 - 12:13 pm

  This is my first brand new car, so it may be a little biased. I have been researching mid-sized crossovers for almost a year before I purchased this vehicle. I absolutely love it. In head to head vs. the several others I was researching, I liked this one the best for style, comfort, and price. The driving is a little numb and the steering is touchy, but it isnt a sports car. The mpg isnt half bad, but no where near the EPA estimates. I am getting a combined 22 mpg, obviously less in the city. Overall though, I love this vehicle

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  2011 Terrain MPG Experience - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By edrue - December 18 - 2:10 pm

  I recently purchased the 2011 Terrain SLE-1 for its comfortable ride, features, and gas mileage claims. Although IÂ’ve read a number of user reviews stating disappointment with gas mileage, IÂ’ve averaged 21-22 mpg in the city, and on recent highway trips averaged 30 mpg and 31mpg on trips through OH, WV, and VA, on significantly hilly terrain. On a 150 mile trip over more gentle rolling hills, I averaged 33 mpg. I used the Eco mode, cruise control, and adjusted my driving habits for maximum fuel efficiency, but that was in no way inconvenient, and Ive been very pleased.

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  AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL!!!!!! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By melanie1177 - December 15 - 7:02 pm

  Had to have rotors resurfaced at 19000 miles, Wont start if gas gauge is at quarter of a tank. Had to repair something with my brakes @ 19258 miles. Strut replacement, Stabilizer shaft link replaced Link or bushings,front stabilizer shaft replaced @ 41000 miles. Air bag light had come on they disconnected and applied grease...did not fix it@59000 miles. radio had to be replaced. Steering column had to be replace@ 70000 miles and now @ 72000 miles the steering rack and pinon is being replaced.Too many clicks in the front end. I hate the 6 speed, when driving its all or nothing which sucks up the gas. Mileage is AWFUL. This car has been nothing but a headache. Thank God for Extended Warranties.

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  I MISS MY ENVOY - 2002 GMC Envoy
  By klr4isu - December 6 - 1:27 pm

  I bought my Envoy in 07 before gas prices went all nuts. I ended up trading it for a foreign piece of crap that now burns oil at less than 75k miles! I WANT MY ENVOY BACK!!! :( I was actually in a pretty scary accident in the Envoy and walked away without a scratch. Did a 360 on black ice going up a hill (didnt have 4WD on because I didnt think it was slick out). The Envoy had some pretty bad body damage but was 100% by the time my body shop guy got done with it and it ran like a dream the entire time I had it. Only issue was a fan belt (I think thats what it was called) that needed replaced for $400. Sounded like I was driving a semi when it went out! :)