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:

• 

  Rusted brakes - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By D&D P - August 21 - 5:44 pm

  I had to replace the front rotors and beerings due to rust. The rotors where so rusted they could not be turned. The rotors where so rusted it interfered with the anti-lock brakes. Im writing a letter to GMC with the problem i had.

• 

  GMC/Chevrolet - 2010 GMC Canyon
  By gab - August 20 - 11:19 pm

  I have a Chevrolet Colorado as well. I would recommend the 5 cylinderbecause its very fast. I bought the 4 cylinderbecause it has more hp than any other 4 cylindertruck. These are type of cars you buy without having to read reviews (experts are really not too knowledgeable anyways). These are very fun cars to drive. The great thing is that my Colorado has 75,000 miles and the only problem I had was a belt squeak so I changed the belt. That is why I repeated the purchase. Also look at the sierras and silverado bc they are running huge rebates. I bought bigger tires for it and it looks killer.

• 

  Ayayayyy Chevy! - 2006 GMC Canyon
  By Omar - August 19 - 11:25 pm

  Umm not too good experience. Cheap materials, becomes a very noisy interior like a crunchy plastic. Brakes should be checked every 6K miles. Chevy dealers just try to get money since the moment of sale. Beware, dealer is gonna sell you an Extended Warranty without consultation and then the Extended Warranty covers everything except expensive parts. I know this post is gonna bring down my resale price but what the hell! Dont be fool, this is not American Quality!

• 

  Great at 10,000 Miles - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By GuntherCammens - August 19 - 12:01 pm

  We bought the gmc terrain as a surprise to ourselves we had been looking at the CR-V, escape, rav4, edge and a few cars until we realized we really needed a small SUV. Economy and ride comfort were tops on our list and the terrain (2.4 L awd slt1) after 10,000 miles in 4 mo has given us 25 mpg all-around half NY city Urban and half cross-country interstate. On interstate stretches we saw 30 mpg a few times but mostly it was 27-28 mpg unless traversing the mountains of West Virginia/Kentucky/Tennessee where highway mileage was 24-25 mpg, no trailering. We trailered a pair of hds on a light trailer (total weight 1600 lbs. Pushing the max) and economy drops to 22-25 mpg highway. Overall excellent!

• 

  Love our Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Matthew - August 10 - 10:23 pm

  Ill start out by saying my only complaint with our Terrain is the turning radius isnt that great. It doesnt always bother you but on making u turns you sometimes have to back up if the road isnt wide. Other than that we LOVE our Terrain. I read someone said it took 3 hours for onstar to get someone to them. IT probably took 3 hours for whomever was coming but be happy onstar was there. Ive had to use onstar several times and in a accident. That voice coming over automatically telling me help is on the way and I dont have to look for a cell which mine was broken. Its awesome to know my car will help me if needed. I love the comfort, the looks. I have people all the time stop me to say its nice!!

• 

  The Fuel Injectors Stopped Working - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By 15monthsapart - August 9 - 1:10 pm

  Ive had my Acadia for almost two years, come February. Two of the fuel injectors started leaking two weeks ago. The engine light came on at the same time my engine started smoking and hesitating in rush hour traffic. OnStar ran a diagnostic and reported the findings to me. I had it towed in to the dealer, they wouldnt tell me the problem until I told them that OnStar had already made it known to me. Four days later I drove my Acadia back home and fumes were coming through the air vents. I took it back to the dealer. They said the other fuel injectors had stopped working. Im not an auto mechanic, but this is bad, right?

• 

  Beware - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By isabel - August 8 - 1:06 am

  Do not buy it. It is not reliable. Too many problems and dealership will give you the runaround. Buy another make this vehicle will leave you stressed out.

• 

  Very Bad Quality - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Hate_GMC - August 8 - 12:32 am

  The transmission oil leaking on the brand new Terrain, it has only 120 Km. The antenna is 12 inch long, I can not get it into my garage.

• 

  Great Choice - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By JimM - August 7 - 6:21 pm

  We have had our Acadia for just over 2 year and have enjoyed it. Get as much as 26 MPG if I drive at speed limit and at my normal 75 get 22. Very comfortable on road, DVD, sun roofs, navigation are all well used. Recommend the Acadia

• 

  Still loving it after 2 1/2 years - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Gagirl - August 6 - 4:17 pm

  I am a mom of two and I have owned my Acadia for 3 years this December and I still absolutely love it. Handles well, has plenty of room for thing and people, smooth ride, interior is very comfortable. This is a beautiful car and I always get compliments on it. My friends repeatedly tell me how much they enjoy riding in it.