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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  No longer impressed - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By memery0913 - July 28 - 6:45 pm

  Initially issues started out as minimal: back up camera malfunctioned. On day scheduled to be replaced sat in the waiting room for two hours to be told didnt have part paint on hood started bubbling up b/c of rust. Fixed it no problem/complaint Issue with brakes, waited over two hours (with infant) to be told they had to keep it Service airbag light has been on 2x in last month. On 2nd attempt ordered part, but didn’t tell me without being questioned. At 35979 had full service check and told car was in full working order. At 36102 car seems to continue to run after key is out of ignition.

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  GMC Acadia 2009 - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By taram1 - July 17 - 8:46 pm

  I just posted a review about my first suv now this is after I traded that in for a year older model to see if it was better because I just love it. Sadly I found my self so disappointed. At 55,000 something miles the battery kept going dead. I took it to a mechanic and he performed a full checkup and found the alternator went bad. I couldnt believe it...it was happening again. Inw just so torn because I really love this car. I knew even if I fixed the 800.00 repair on top of my car payment...later it would happen again. Today I left GMC and sold my car to a Volvo dealer and now have an XC90. Ill post on this experience as well in time. Please GMC keep gm here in the USA and not China

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  2008 & 2009 GMC ACadia owner - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By taram1 - July 17 - 8:36 pm

  In regards to owning a 2008. The hour I bought it the rear window button was messed up. 2 weeks later the air conditioning went out. 3 months later the power steering gear box shaved part on the actual gears and I lost all power to the steering. At the time I was 6 months pregnant and I was scared to drive it. The owner CEO of GMC should remember my letter unless the staff signed it for him. Then within the next 7 months the power steering was reached a total of 3 times. I traded it in the dealer I bought it from for a 09 model.After owning this for 1 year and a half at about 55,465 miles same for the 08, now battery issues and it needed a new alternator. 800.00. I just bought a VolvoXC90

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  I got suckered into buying this based on Gas Mileage - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By vlazo - June 7 - 10:57 am

  Im very disappointed in my purchase of the 2011 GMC Terrian. When i bought this i was told like most about the amazing gas milegae that ranged from 23-32 mpg so i made the decision that for my first new car i would go with the 2.4L 4 cylinder FWD model to maximaze fuel econonmy. I have never seen more then 23.6 miles per gallon and that was after putting in premium gasoline(which is not called for i was just doing anything i could to get better gas mileage) and highway driving...whats wrong with this picture??? I average 21.9 mgh normally & my car has 21,000 miles so it doesnt need to b broke in like i was told by my dealer.

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  Soooo many problems - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lori43 - June 4 - 12:00 pm

  I bought this car used Dec 2010, luckily it had a certified warranty. I love it, when everything is working. The sunroof leaked & was resealed, the navagation/radio display had to be replaced, the transmission dissassembled and 17 parts replaced, parking brake switch replaced, seatbelts installed incorrectly fixed, steering gear replaced, swaybar links replaced. Now the A/C only works (sometimes) on drivers side, blows hot on passenger and rear. Over $1400 to fix (replace evaporator core). All of this in a year & a half. Seriously considering taking a loss and trading it in. I simply cant afford the constant repairs.

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  2008 GMC Acadia Transmission - Again! - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By jjthk - May 29 - 12:31 pm

  The freshly rebuilt transmission in our Acadia just letgo on us again, leaving stranded for the second time. It was jus rebuilt last Nov (yes, Thanksgiving trip....), so after 6 months it died again. It was REBUILT because GM refused to approve a new unit to be installed, even after being recommended by the dealership. This car has had many problems and only has 64,000 miles. I will be trading this as soon as the latest transmission issue is fixed. No more GM for me. Paid lots of money for a big (certified pre-owned) lemon!

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  Will never buy another GM!! - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By suzie_q_757 - May 11 - 10:17 am

  I purchases my envoy about 1 1/2 yr ago and about 1 month later the airbag, oil pressure, stabli link, and gas sensors went out in it!! About 6 months ago I noticed that the bottom of the rear doors are rusting. I called GM and they say that since it is not rusting completly threw the doors yet it would not be covered under the corrosion warranty, but they will cover it as a courtosy? Really?!? Okay so after getting the approval I asked what im suppose to do while my vehicle will be in the bodyshop for a week and they said they do not cover rentals or loaner vehicles under the corrosion warranty!! [non-permissible content removed]! This vehicle has caused me nothing but headaces!! I will be trading this in! no more GM

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  Just Okay - 1997 GMC Jimmy
  By hobbie2k - March 15 - 3:50 pm

  I bought my Jimmy from a friend on deployment largely because of a good price, low miles, and because its an improvement over the $500 car I was driving, but it hasnt turned out to be as much of an improvement as I had hoped. The Jimmy is just another typical 90s American SUV. That means poor fuel economy, uncomfortable ride, poor build quality, cheap interiors, questionable reliability, and lackluster performance. In two months Ive had to replace the intake manifold gaskets (common problem), lower ball joints (common problem), front and rear wiper motors (common problem), power steering lines (common problem), and now I think a U-joint is failing. It seems all the problems are common.

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  Buyers Remorse - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By jerrim - February 29 - 8:59 am

  When it was time to trade in our minivan, I began looking at crossovers. It appeared that the Acadia could not be beat for features, styling, and gas mileage. It did not take long for me to have buyers remorse. It has not come close to meeting the advertised mpg. I do the majority of my driving in the city and only get between 12-14 mpg! I have never gotten above 17.5 mpg on a highway roadtrip. This car has much less cargo space than my minivan and no storage room in the front other than the passenger seat for a purse, book, etc. The nav system has been unreliable. It looks pretty but does not meet the needs of our family. It has less than 10,000 miles and Im ready to trade it in.

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  Fuel+Oil Sending Unit Failures - 2005 GMC Envoy
  By flexiblesink61 - February 10 - 5:54 am

  It is truely amazing why this issue does not cause GM to issue a Full recall on all cars in this line GMC, Buick and Chevy for fuel and oil sending unit replacements. You are driving blind. This issue alone has convinced me that I will never buy another GM product. Service department in dealerships are terrible and their systems dont work most of the time. They told me to keep driving with the problem and call them back in a few days to see if their systems come back on line. Toyota did the right thing when confronted with their issues. I own part of GM and I insist That GM should take responsibility and fix these issues, since both my trucks have the same issues.