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:

• 

  Great Car - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Carlton - April 29 - 2:08 am

  I bought this car in 2001 with 80,000 miles on it. It has been one of the most reliable cars I have ever had. I am so impressed with the Suburban, that I wax it once a month. I now have 237,000 miles and it still runs like a champ! Believe me, I got a great car!

• 

  good vehicle - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By dave - April 28 - 10:49 am

  Very funny to read comments from those suckers who have been getting ripped off from shady mechanics and blaming GM. 3 waterpumps and you blame GM ? They were garbage aftermarket parts. And ball joints ... get good ones that can be greased and have oil change people lube them -its called maintenence.Your mechanic uses garbage parts and charges you top $ and its GMs fault ??.. get a clue. Yes you have 125,000 miles and need to get repairs - big surprise. Quit getting ripped off, spend the time to find an honest mechanic -many of you sure dont know one. This is a decent , fun 4 wheel dr that goes great through snow. Love mine.

• 

  New King of the Open Road - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By anthony - April 27 - 3:02 pm

  We just bought our Terrain last week and we are loving every minute of it!!! It is already averaging 26 mpg. That will only get better as it gets broke in a little bit. We have 2 small kids and there is plenty of room for the entire family. The low noise is excellent. Handles better than any SUV Ive seen on the highway. Exterior design is great.Dont be scared away by the 4 cylinder, it more than holds its own. All this and you get Onstar and XM radio as a standard feature!!! Whats left to think about? The Terrain is head and shoulders above the rest. GMC is back on top where it belongs!!!!!!

• 

  Good Vehicle - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By Hofgee Rofe - April 27 - 11:22 am

  This car is amazing. It out performs my wifes 3 series. It tows my horse trailer like nothing while going up steep hills. A definite Buy

• 

  Great Car Love my Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Brett - April 26 - 11:27 am

  Just Traded in my 2001 Jeep Cheeroke with 92000 Miles Hated to see it go but Wow this car is simply Amazing. I love everytime I get in the car and do not want to leave. IT drives very smoothly and I feel I am in a Escalade but for half the price. GMC built a great car inside and out. I have had this car for only about 3 days and people still ask me wow whats that. Just wish more were around.

• 

  extremely disappointed - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By norma mercado - April 26 - 10:04 am

  i purchased my 2007 Acadia in feb. of 2010. granted it was a used car but had less than 30,000 miles. earlier this month the buttons on my radio stopped working. so now i have a cd i cant get out and if i want to change stations i have to use the dial. but the most serious was just this weekend when my car for no reason would just turn off in the middle of a busy street at a light at night when my kids were in the car with me. i was afraid some one was going to slam into me from behind when my car turned off and would start back up. after several trys it did only to turn off at another light. then it is making this weird noise and givind me messages having to do with my traction control.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Robert Lamb - April 25 - 3:48 pm

  I am 81 years old and super fussy about my vehicles,I purchased my Terrain 2 months ago, took an 800 mile trip and averaged 25.6 mpg. Not too bad, but after reading many reviews, I see that this seems to be the norm. Drove Hondas the past 8 years, although I thought they were very good cars I am glad to get back to American made, it gives me a sense of pride again.

• 

  2010 Acadia SLT - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By smith2409 - April 25 - 2:03 pm

  I have only had my Acadia for a short time. I really like everything about the Acadia. The ride is great and the gas mileage is better (about 20 in mixed driving) than expected. The Acadia is very confortable with loads of space inside. Handles great and does about everything short of driving itself and almost does that. At this point I would recomend the Acadia to anyone.

• 

  Served its purpose - 1998 GMC Sonoma
  By CCfella - April 24 - 4:48 pm

  I bought this truck off a 3 year lease and have put 90K miles on it with little problems. I had to replace the alternator and the U-joint, but the engine and tranny have been reliable. It also has a little more road noise than Id like. However, these complaints are minimal compared to the reliability and good gas milage it gets (28 miles/gallon).

• 

  Awesome. Wish they still made them. - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By ChadneyG5 - April 23 - 11:54 pm

  I bought this truck new. I drive it every day & have ridden it hard with frequent off-roading and towing. It has had almost no problems. I now have 130k miles on it (in 2010) & it runs like new. Other than regular maintenance, Ive only had to replace the fuel pump & water pump. There is a door hinge pin that is a design flaw that must be replaced approx. every 100k mi. for $40. Ive owned 3 Toyota trucks previously and got this because of the 0% 60mo. financing. None of my Toyotas ran this well for so long, with such comfort. The MPG was about the same. I average 16-18.