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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  GMC does not support poor quality - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By mddriver5 - January 4 - 3:24 pm

  Like everybody that owns a 2008 GMC Acadia, I have had the car in the shop numerous times. Broke down with transmission failure, power sterring column went. Just got back after 4th oil leak. I contacted GMC and with our TARP funds, they have a call center overseas to handle customer complaints. Very poor customer service with a car that is built by engineers and yet seems to have lots of common issues. It could be a good car if it did not have so many issues. be careful of 2013 model as it is redesigned and you could be starting over with issues lots of us have.

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  A Dream Car to Nightmare - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lina816 - December 27 - 6:23 pm

  We bought his car in 3/2008. I would like to declare lemon on this Acadia. Here are the lists of things that occurred to my Acadia: 3/09 Power Control Module, this one lock my steering wheel while I was on drive in the middle of the road all of the sudden without warning, this could have killed my family 5/09 - air bag wiring repair 2/23/10 - air bag repair again 7/10 head lights blown with recall 9/10 power steering remote replace 11/10 (on our Thanksgiving trip) Water pump and engine run hot 6/11 stability trac warning w/ master cylinder leaking break fluid 9/11 air bag connector replaced 4/12 power window issue 12/12 lost its smooth ride - stabilizer link and struts replace.

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  Dont waste your time or money - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By motherof3nj - December 16 - 4:21 pm

  We are a family of 5 and my husband I wanted to purchase a vehicle that was not a minivan. With this in mind we looked for vehicles that had the 2nd row captain chairs and were in our price range. After searching we set our hearts on the Acadia. Sadly two days after purchasing the low tire pressure signal kept coming on. We had to return to the dealer for a spark plug to be replaced. However, when my husband picked up the car the next day all things went down hill. He left the dealership and the the car stalled. We were told that there was a problem with the transmission. Four weeks later and they were still repairing the transmission. Thats when we returned the car. So disappointed!!

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  In the shop every 2 months! ouch ( - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By 3magana - December 7 - 2:25 pm

  This car looked so amazing, and being young my husband and I thought we needed a beautiful car like this. It w as 6 months old when we bought it. Fuel card gone out twice. The air bags that lift the car got a leak and had to replace with normal shocks. (Expensive!) Air conditioning went out driver side. Front suspension needed replaced, would not turn. Not all our issues list :( NOW: All of a sudden when driving home from work, at night, my headlights completely turned off! I thought it was just a one time thing but happened a week later with my kids in the car on the highway! Oh my goodness...I am so upset, havent driven it at night or hardly at all.

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  Be careful when you buy this vehicle! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By cnorborg - October 8 - 3:54 pm

  Overall I like my Terrain, love my dealer, but definitely not a fan of GM. The terrain is a small SUV, does ok for a dog owner like me, not a fan of the seats not folding fully flat. The leather seats get a bit warm and it drives a bit stiff. The AC struggles to get the car cold when its hot outside, a bit undersized for the type of vehicle for living in a desert like Albuquerque. My biggest complaint stems from something I noticed and mentioned to the dealer the first time I took the car in for an oil change. The color backup camera is 99% of the time showing up B&W. In dealing with GM, I find they are simply trying to make excuses and not fix the problem. They say its "as designed"

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  A Lot of Issues and Problems - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By cockermom - September 12 - 7:23 am

  We purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain SLE2 Automatic with a 4 cylinder engine. The engine is so small that this poor vehicle has terrible pick-up. Its dangerous to try and pass on the highway or pick up speed when merging because the pick up is so bad. Another major issue we have is that the engine seems to be hesitating or fluttering or it is stalling at low throttle which is extremely dangerous when driving period let alone driving up a hill. This problem warrants a recall. The doors are so lightweight that they will slam on you when opening/closing which is dangerous to passengers. This needs to be sorted by GMC as its dangerous. Passenger airbag light doesnt work. Poor gas mileage.

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  Using Oil - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By graygrandma - September 2 - 9:05 pm

  I agree with all the disappointing remarks regarding gas mileage. I dont care if its the EPA or GMC - the public deserves the truth! My big worry now is that its using oil. My car was showing 50+% life left before my oil change. The engine was making a loud noise and I took it to the dealer to find I had no oil showing on the dip stick. The check engine light NEVER came on! Since then my husband has consistantly checked the oil level and we have to keep adding oil in between oil changes. I have never had to do that with my vehicles. Anyone else using oil?

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  GMC Dealer near richmond VA - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By unhappyperson - September 1 - 1:50 am

  I do love my Acadia however just recently I had to move to Guam (military). Before I left I called my dealer & asked if my Acadias extended warranty was going to be good. They said yes & have a safe move. Since then my acadia has been having powersteering issues. I called the dealer & they didnt even bother calling the company to see if they would honor the warranty even though guam is a us territory. They havent called me to see if they could do anything. Basically they took my extended warranty & ran with it. Now Im going to have to pay out of pocket because GM hasnt come out with a recall even though lots of customers have been having the same issue. I wont purchase another GMC

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  Frustrated with My Acadia - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By dfoster22 - August 30 - 11:44 am

  I want to love my Acadia but have grown extremely frustrated with it. The overall comfort in driving my Acadia has been great but I have run into several maintenance issues which just show a lack of quality in the vehicle. These issues include: water leaks (have caused issues with the front blower motor and various sensors), blown rear strut, power steering pump and gear, tailgate motor and supports, two bad batteries, master cylinder (breaks), blown headlamps, and rear window spray hose. There have been three recalls: heated windshield washer, passenger airbag sensor, and headlamps. Many of these issues occurred within first two years of ownership. Has been a maintenance headache.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By owner13 - August 20 - 3:07 pm

  Actual mileage much less than advertised. 27-28(on a good day) hghway, 15-16 in town. Poorer than the usual poor visibiity found in SUVs.