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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  5 Month Road Test - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Jim - March 17 - 9:40 pm

  I had this car for close to 5 months. Not a bad thing to say about it. I average 23.1 MPG overall. I drove about 60 miles on a highway, set the cruise control at 60 and got 37.2 MPG according to the vehicle computer, dont know if this is correct but that was what the readout stated. Love the interior and the exterior, I cant believe this is criticized on design. GM has winner if the reliability keeps up. Only time will tell.

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  Hard not to love this car - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Happy GMC Owner - March 17 - 9:13 pm

  This car looks great in black and SLT-2 trim with chrome accents. Two-tone black/titanium interior is striking. I traded in a 2005 Equinox LT/AWD, which was a nice car and had a great V6/5-speed auto drive train. However, the handling, interior, and GAS MILEAGE of the Terrain 4-cylinder are light years ahead of the old Equinox. The navigation system gives you a larger backup camera monitor, but practically requires a training class to understand how to configure to your liking. Still, its worth the $2K+ premium. Best feature of all is the unorthodox styling, which really turns heads.

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  Loved it till recently - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By ace123 - March 16 - 4:16 pm

  My husband and I ordered my Terrain and could not wait to get it! When it first arrived it was amazing to drive. There is plenty of room for a smaller SUV! We got tons of compliments on the looks both inside and out. I loved driving it. After about 2 weeks I was driving and the gears went out and I could not do anything but put the car in park. It ended up that the oil pump inside the transmission broke. On a brand new car! Not very reassuring! However we are hoping this will be one of our only problems, we still love driving it.

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  GMC Terrain SLE2 - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Elaine - March 16 - 10:31 am

  I purchased my Terrain on Jan 30th 2010. I love the design and style. This is my first 2.4 vehicle in a long time. The ride is smooth and quite. A lot more room than the RAV4 or Chevy equinox. The doors open wide for easy access for people who have back problems and the seats are very comfortable with the heated seats. We love the color mocha steel and it is classy. The package is great with all the options. We have a sunroof and upgrade package on the seats. We first saw this car on a TV show called "Medium" where it was introduced. The style of the grill in front was eye catching. Have not checked the mileage yet. Very happy customer.

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  Sick of Being Nickel and Dimed to Death - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By rrh36 - March 15 - 9:10 pm

  Bought the 2006 Envoy SLE in Oct 2008. Things went well for a while, but after the first 6 months of driving, been nothing by problem after problem. Engine had high pitched squeal which was bad bearings in idler pulley. Then the spare tire would not come off the underside. Had to cut the cable and replace the entire spare tire holder. Fuel gauge quit working. And most recently, had to replace water pump. Bearings shot in that too and cant even do it yourself without a "special tool." I will NEVER buy another GMC and I hope GM goes under because of their selling of product with such horrible reliability.

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  Great for snow and ice AWD Stabilitrak - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Ken2010 - March 14 - 4:22 pm

  The 2010 GMC Terrain SLE 2- 6cyl I have has all wheel drive with Stabilitrak. Electronic Stability Control system Driving back on the interstate from Aberdeen, SD on Mar 11th run into 200 miles of 40 MPH cross winds - ice sheet on the road with blowing and drifting snow. Semi’s in the ditch along with an estimate of 30 – 50 cars including SUVs and 4 wheel drives. I watched them flying into the ditch spinning around with loss of rear end traction. Once they lost traction with the rear end the wind would send them flying. 4 wheel drives without rear end posi track would loose rear end traction and wind up sideways and then in the ditch. I sailed right along and passed everything in sight

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  2001 gmc jimmy - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By margaret - March 14 - 2:53 pm

  When I first got this Jimmy it was great. now within the last 4 yrs I have put in 5 fuel pumps plus other parts but I understand the wear and tear other parts but five fuel pumps. I put two fuel pumps in the last two years. Maybe I will get lucky and gm will bail me out with some help to purchase a fuel pump which I desperately need with this economy. I really need a bail out like gm got. Thanks Margaret Butler

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  great crossover - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By scott leisz - March 11 - 12:11 pm

  I bought a FWD 4cyl slt1 a month ago. I have put 1500 miles on it. I havent had one problem with it. Getting 26 combined mpg (60% city 40% highway). It gets the advertised 32 at about 65 mph. I get about 28-29 mpg at 72 mph. As it breaks in should do even better. I looked at all the other crossovers before I bought this one--Infinitis (ex and fx), Acuras (rdx and mdx), Fords (Edge), Mazda(cx7 and cx9),etc, and the GMC fit my needs perfectly. Right combination of mpg, options, space, etc, at a very good price. Absolutely no regrets. Great car.

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  Worth the Wait - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Doug T. - March 10 - 4:09 pm

  Replaced our Ford Explorer and am very glad we did. We could not find one on a lot in this part of the state so we ordered one just like we wanted. For a smaller vehicle the space and comfort is nothing short of outstanding. We opted for the AWD and are still very happy with the break-in mileage with 28 on the highway thus far. Blue Tooth is perfect and the Pioneer sound system is all we expected it to be. iPod port is a great touch and the information system is user friendly enough that the wife loves it. Seat comfort rivals that of many of the "upscale" sedans I have owned in the past. Time will tell but it looks like GMC has hit a home run with the Terrain.

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  Girls Best Friend - 2010 GMC Terrain
  By Chastity Broderick - March 10 - 9:00 am

  I traded in my 2009 Toyota Corolla because I had many problems with it and it was too small. The gas mileage and roomy interior attracted me to this vehicle. The cargo space in the back isnt too big, but suitable for my needs. The back seat lays down (not flush) to make more room if I need to haul things. I love the OnStar and Satellite radio. It also has heated cloth seats, which is amazing in the winter. If I were to buy one again, Id want a sun roof and built in DVD players, but otherwise this is the perfect smaller SUV. Good job GMC!