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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  Horrible Service with Early problems - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By So Disappointed - April 23 - 4:27 pm

  Have only had for 2 months and it died today. Had to be towed to nearest dealership and will take at least 3 days to fix. This was bad enough, but the service from the dealership and the rules GM has in place for rental car meant I went 8 hours without any transportation. Gas mileage nowhere near advertised. Not nearly as spacious storage as I expected. Overall really wish I had went with another vehicle since the gas mileage that made me want this car is not what is advertised. I am getting 24-25 mpg highway and I drive alot(Nearly 4000 miles in 7 weeks ownership). The dealers response to my car breaking down: "Thats why theres a warranty." Not the service I expected from GM.

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  Excellent car! - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By commonsense.... - April 22 - 5:53 pm

  This car handles very nicely, gives a comfortable and quiet ride, and, so far at least, mileage is better than advertised (33.5 mpg in mixed driving during rush hour, but I am a careful driver). Utilitarian, yet stylish and fun to drive! Lots of room in the back seat.

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  Enjoying my new Terrain - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Ed - April 22 - 8:34 am

  Overall very pleased with my new vehicle. Traded in Acadia for better milage and newer vehicle with great offer. Very pleased with few exceptions including rear is smaller than I thought (across). Seems they could have done more to make it wider for golf clubs to fit and I miss storage under rear compartment where spare is located. I miss my univerasl remote (foolish not to include this small add on). Four cylinder has enough power for me but wish milage was better on trips even in eco mode. Also why only one month of free onstar. Paid as much for my new LaCrosse and got a year! Still enjoying new Terrain with all its features

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  Poor gas mileage - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By cecilp - April 22 - 8:09 am

  Have less than 2000 miles on vehicle. Gas mileage not even close to rated numbers. Reported to dealer and all I get is this "Use the SAME pump at the SAME station with vehicle pointing in the SAME direction with the SAME number of people in vehicle". Is this a crop or what. Here are numbers: Hiway driving (cruise set at 60 MPH) 141.7 mile trip used 9 gallons (thats 15.75 MPG period) City driving 140.2 miles (normal stop and go traffice) with 9 gallons to fill back up (thats 15.58 MPG PERIOD) Dealer says this is not true mileage as there are possiable BUBBLES in tank while filling are fuel pumps regulated and must deliver what is metered out? Instruments say 17 MPG on console

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  Great Over the Long Haul - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By Locomotion - April 22 - 7:23 am

  We got our Suburban in 2001, it had low mileage and was in great shape. It has brought us across the country and everywhere else we wanted to go. It has been a wonderful truck. Itll haul the whole family comfortably. Maintenance wise, the only big problem weve had was the coolinbg system disaster when a different type of coolant caused the intake gaskets to decompose. Changed that and it was back on the road. The only negative Ive seen is the design for home repairmen. It could have been designed for easier repair for the do-it- yourselfer! The price of gas is causing us to consider trading or selling to buy a smaller truck, but outside of that its the best truck on the road.

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  Never left me stranded - 1999 GMC Jimmy
  By LOVE MY JIMMY - April 22 - 1:04 am

  I bought my Jimmy in 01. now has 200,000 miles. so far i have replaced the alternator the starter the fuel pump the cooling system with the heater core because of the GM dex cool anti freeze it came with it turns out it actually doesnt last 5 years or 150,000 miles. oh and CV joints all of this in the last few years of ownership and it all didnt happen back to back. It runs like a champ to this day and I get the best gas mileage any SUV has ever seen. all the repairs I made are just what happens with a vehicle that gets driven daily come on people its not a honda take care of your truck do all the upkeep on time. Its easier to fix a used car than pay a new car payment every month.

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  So Far, So Good - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Fidalgo73 - April 18 - 8:19 pm

  Great ride - smooth and quiet. Seats, Bose stereo, access to controls, all the bells bells and whistles on our SLE are great. Lots of room. Great safety features! Got 19 mpg on the first tank. Feels solid. Transmission shifts smoothly. Limited view out the back windows may be a challenge for towing our boat and backing it up. Maybe GM has finally turned the corner on quality cars and trucks? Overall, we are very happy!

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  Capable SUV - 2010 GMC Yukon
  By Mark Hanlon - April 18 - 3:43 pm

  I love this machine. It tackles mountain roads with ease and can tow like a semi. Its missing some features though.

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  Buy it back GM! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rob619 - April 18 - 12:40 pm

  I had this SUV for about 3 yrs. and had nothing but problems from steering pump, oil leaks, stalling when it rains, and my 3 new transmission put in sense I had this car one of the worst purchase Ive ever made.

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  Been good with some problems - 2004 GMC Envoy
  By Safety - April 15 - 12:36 am

  I have had this envoy since April 4, 2004 it has 172,000 miles on it, been across the states east to west and north to South. Had an emission sensor problem when it was new, a computer problem about 3 years cost approx $2400.00, just tried to have it smogged in Calif and it has a bad valve in the 3 hole and a bad left front bearing. All in all it has been a good vehicle and I believe we have gotten our moneys worth would buy another if I ever get rid of this one.