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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  Bad Engines stay away - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By hurley325 - July 19 - 5:37 pm

  I have a 2007 acadia with 66,900 miles and I had to replace waterpump at 50,000 miles and now the engine light has come on. I took it to the dealer and they said that the engine will need to be removed do to a bad camshaft. It seems to be a big issue with the 3.6 engine just google camshaft-timing chain problems.

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  2006 GMC Envoy - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By aplymate - July 6 - 6:18 pm

  I purchased my 2006 Envoy used from Carmax when it had 32,000 miles on it. At the time we bought it, it was making a whining noise from the motor, which the salesman assured us was normal. It was not normal. Left me broke down on the side of the road when the idler pulley broke and tore up the sepenteine belt. Fuel gauge no longer works and check engine light stays on. More recently my drivers side door squeks badly and one of the shocks on my back hatch blew out. I wanted to get a brand new Acadia but not sure I want to purchase another GMC. They do not even have any recalls for any of the problems. Do not buy..

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  Gift Gone Bad!!!!Engine Problems. - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By asford0211 - June 16 - 9:22 am

  My husband brought this junk for my mothers day gift. The service dept drove the truck more than ME!!! The truck cut off while driving on a major highway three times. The dealer stated they couldnt understand why the check engine light stayed on and they couldnt locate the problem. Finally they changed the intake camshift solenoid sensor???? Wish me luck folks...what a gift..thank you honey for the LEMON!!!!!

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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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  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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  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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  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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  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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  Reliable but junk! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By gsdhank - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I drive 40,000 miles a year, and I will say that this is a reliable vehicle but the good ends there. when my full size Ford F-150 4x4 gets better mileage there is definitely something wrong here. I averaged slightly under 20 mpg over the coarse of 35,000 miles. driving gravel roads the cab fills with dust and i gave up cleaning the interior. i have the 3.0L v-6 and it is gutless, absolutely no power. also I am 6 1" and head room is non- existent. I have no idea why people like this vehicle for anything besides the looks. the seats are rock hard, cruise control acts goofy, I hate the way the transmission shifts, climate control doesnt work the way it should.

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  Not very impressed - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Acadia - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Purchased b/c this vehicle has more space than most others mileage and price were good. Exterior styling &Interior layout good. Cheap interior plastic & door handles are turn offs.Sad that with only 17k miles we have to replace the entire rack and pinion steering (expensive!)It makes a horrible squeaking and the steering wheel jolts back and forth when driving.Initial start up is horrible,shakes and surges like it is about to stall, after waiting for the chime to stop.Trans. is constantly going in and out of gears like it cant decide which one it should be in.I forgot my mantra to never buy a used American vehicle again. Ride is too rough. Overall, flashy but very cheaply built.