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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  Born every minute - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By Oh Well - April 3 - 1:37 am

  Window sticker mileage is not factual. It is way too high. Even with cruise I am lucky to get 22 MPG. If there were ADA requirements for cars this one would fail. The traffic reporting is tied into the XM radio at a stiff renewal fee. I will hate to see what the On Star renewal fees are. There are hand held GPS providers that include traffic for free.

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  Never Again - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Never Again - March 21 - 12:45 pm

  I purchased this car about two years ago and purchased an extended warranty. The first year I had this car the interior started falling apart. The panels around the passenger seat broke, the lights on the stereo are out and the carpet has a rusts stains alone the back doors(not sure where this is coming from). Ive recently started having mechanical problems. I had to replace two coils and the electrical line to the front light has burned. The worst part of all of this is nothing is under warranty. I paid 300 for a 60k maintenance that did not include a tune up. This is my first American made car in a long time and I must say I will never buy another GMC!

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  Worst new vehicle I have driven - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By sky1701 - March 19 - 8:48 am

  As I read through the other reviews, my issues are about the same, water, electrical, engine, trans, steering, computer, etc. The worst for me is the random not starting (because of the water in the fuse box, replaced 3x already). Anyway, extremely poor mileage and quality issues all over th place. NOT reliable, OVERPRICED and frankly, a dud! Meeting a GM rep next week - see what they say. My guess is not much. A company in this bad of shape should be way ahead of these problems. Too bad, I always loved GM vehicles, but this has turned me away. Do NOT buy the Acadia - all smoke and mirrors, glitz and no substance...definitely not up to to the GMC reputation!

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  Research before you buy I wish I did. - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Ronda - March 9 - 9:53 am

  I bought this SUV used out of desperation it was actually going to auction. Silly me shouldve let it go. This truck has been absolutely nothing but a nightmare. Ive replaced the transmission $1800. Drove it home to Michigan from sc and it actually died two blocks away from my in laws driveway. The plastic manifold is a joke it has melted twice with flames destroying gaskets so here goes another $400 in repairs. The driver side window works when it wants to, the gas Gage at 1/4 tank goes move up to 1/2 tank so you really never know how much gas you have in it. Its a money pit and in this economy who needs this! Dont buy this vehicle take it out back and put it out of your misery!

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  Very Disappointing - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Umper - March 8 - 12:41 pm

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle brand new. Loved the car had wonderful amenities. SLT with heated leather seats, moonroof, onstar, the works. Weve performed all of the scheduled maintenance. Its been garage kept for its entire life and driven less than 10 miles a day with the occasional trip out of town. Drove great UNTIL the warranty expired. Ever since then $$$. Heater stopped working. Weve poured over $3500 into it and it still wont blow hot. The GM mechanic had the nerve to come show my wife how to "properly" turn the heat on. What a jerk never buying GM again. Too many problems to list. Cant wait until its gone. This was a $35,000 piece of crap. No wonder GM needed a bailout.

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  leaking sunroof - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By Bluechip - February 24 - 2:55 pm

  I bought my car in February 2007, we were in a drought no rain, then we had a heavy rain. We got inside the car and my floorboard was standing in water, the headliner was wet and water was pouring out of the airbag sign, I called the dealership, they told me I had left sunroof open which I never use. By the time I took it in to the dealership a few days later, they had other vehicles with same problem they fixed it in minutes no more problems with that. I think there might be a recall on the roof. Gas mileage poor, and now the driver side window doesnt always work. Very disappointed in the car, not the car we thought we were getting. I think GM needed a 6 cylinder suv and this was it

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  gas mileage is killing me - 2010 GMC Acadia
  By acadiastinks - February 23 - 8:29 am

  I have a new 2010 GMC acadia. It has 2000 miles on it. I get 10 mpg!!!! The wheels have no free roll. They always feel bound. The tranny down shifts hard and slows the vehicle from rolling. Try coasting at 60 mph and it winds down hard to 50 mph in 4 seconds. It causes you to constantly ride the gas pedal. IT STINKS

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  I know why they are going under - 2006 GMC Envoy
  By Lola R - February 22 - 3:55 pm

  We bought this as a second vehicle last year. We only use it 3 to 4 months in a year. So when I got it out for the winter season, this year we had to start fixing it. 1st, the weather stripping is falling off the back door, 2nd the steering rack must be replaced. The suv only has 39000 miles on it. I should have know better than to buy a GMC. I also had to have the fuel gauge replaced second day we had it. Thank God it was under warrenty. Stereo speaker blew out also.

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  YES, THIS IS A PIECE OF TRASH - 2001 GMC Jimmy
  By Alex - January 30 - 5:12 pm

  Bought the car as a demo, less than 10k miles..., Nothing but problems...Had to bring it back to the dealer over 15 times prior to the warranty running out. First it was Fuel Pump, Air Pump, and basically the whole engine... Then it started leaking oil out of the engine gasket. All this when it was under 36,000 miles. Total trash..... No more GMC for me. No dealer want this piece of trash for a trade in. Youd be lucky to get 1,000 for it.....