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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  A BIG MISTAKE - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By sgthaight - February 8 - 6:12 pm

  Leased this vehicle in 4 cylinder, was promised 26/32 mpg city/highway. A BLATANT LIE FROM GMC! Veh gets 14-16 in town and cant get over 21 on the highway. GMC was contacted and set up a service check at the dealer. They came up with every phony excuse you could think of. Too much weight in the veh (which is empty) to the mileage gauge must be reset every time ( even though the On-Star app says the lifetiMe average mileage of both city/highway is 17). Avoid this car at all expense, it has no power and the mileage SUCKS. GMC will try to blame you for the crummy mileage if you complain. Searching for a lawyer to take on the big GMC Corp. Buy American, but not this American vehicle.

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  Really Disappointed in my Terrain... - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By sllmd0202 - February 4 - 7:26 pm

  My husband and I bought the 2011 GMC Terrain about a year ago. In the last six months, its been in the shop twice now. The first time was for an electrical issue...a terminal in the back of the car had corroded causing it to pull power on the ignition and drain the battery. It took the dealership almost two weeks to diagnose and fix. Then, six months later it would start but anytime you gave it gas, it would cut off. Still in the shop after two weeks with no answer. As both my husband and I being prior Toyota owners, I definitely regret buying this car. I should have kept with Toyota. Just an overall bad experience.

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  very disapointed - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By lapitino - December 21 - 6:06 pm

  I am very unhappy with my 2011 model. It is less than one year old and only has 15,000 miles on it. In the last two weeks it has been in for repair 3 different times. It has gone in for multiple issues, 2 out of 3 are yet to be fixed. I have been in a rental car for a total of 12 days now. My fear is that this is a sign of things to come. I plan to ask for a replacement vehicle or I will absolutely be contacting the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Did I mention the gas mileage it NOT what was advertised??

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  Constant Problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By ineedaricci - November 30 - 7:47 am

  Our 2007 GMC Acadia has given us constant problems. We fell for the sleek design and interior comfort. At 6 months the transmission quit reversing in our driveway, It was replaced. Soon after we had constant electrical problems. The radio shorted out. The turn signals stopped. The headlamps shorted. Three of my four windows do not work (to expensive to fix). The airbags are deactivated. The stabilitrak has been a constant and ongoing issue with sensor issues. To date the engine has been dropped out of my car for repair 3 times. Today I am calling again today for a stabilitrak/check engine/ low engine performace signal, and it will probably be dropped another fourth and very costly time.

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  Stay away from the I-4 2.4L engine!!! - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By wrusprod - November 5 - 4:21 pm

  There is a major issue with the 2011 I-4 engine.. with a rattling startup noise. Any GM vehicle with this engine has the problem, Chevy Equinox, Buick Regal..etc... intermittant Rattling noise on startup, stalling, engine codes, poor MPG, bucking transmission.. and GM has been playing guinea pigs with all the owners who keep taking back to the dealer for repair of the rattling noise..almost a year with this issue and still no solution...STAY AWAY FROM THE I-4!

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  Disappointed - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By nothappy26 - September 29 - 4:28 pm

  I am so angry right now. My 2007 Envoy has 45,000 miles. At 34,000 miles the fuel guage stop working (i had it fixed $800 because I have small children and did not want to be standed with them). At 45,000 my battery, alternator and now the computer just went so nothing will blow out the vents, In the past 3 weeks I have put $1,000 into the car. My husband would not consider buying a foreign car but we might be changing our mind.

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  Where is the gas mileage? - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By jess736 - September 19 - 6:53 pm

  We purchased a 4 cyl Terrain earlier this year. We like the vehicle overall but are very disappointed with the 21.6 MPG average over the first 9000 miles of driving. Most of the driving is on the freeway. Even on a long trip the best ever on a tank of gas was 23.5mpg. The main reason for us selecting the Terrain over other SUVs was the advertised mileage. We really feel we were scammed. I know that the EPA mileage to be questionable but to exaggerate the numbers by over 33% is almost criminal. Of course the salesman sold us on the 32 MPG but after talking to the service techs they tell me that there is no way that this vehicle can get more that 23 to 24 MPG. Of course now that we ha

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  piece of junk - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By risas - August 19 - 1:18 pm

  i have a 2008 and its been a piece of junk the service air bag stays on its been at the dealer 3 times they fix it, and a couple of weeks after ,it comes back . check engine light is been on for a couple of years something to do with emission. i have to fix it once a year to pass inspection.front end knocks when turning sounds like an old truck.and it doesnt stop there every time i put gas, it has a hard time to start back up. really dissapointed.

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  Mixed Emotions - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By notadummy - July 14 - 3:57 pm

  I bought my 07 Acadia in 2008 with 12,000 miles. It wasnt long before I had to replace the water pump (covered under warranty). And then the sunroof started leaking. It has been in the shop 8 times for the sunroof and now the headliner is damaged and I am having electrical issues, which I attribute to water damage. The backup sensor light is staying on (which they said was normal!), my rear brake light assembly is fogged up internally and doing the "fast blink", my front blinker on the mirror is malfunctioning, and my AC quit working. I was told the AC was unrelated, and its the evaporator core, and its $1700 to fix. I love my vehicle, but not the problems! I am torn about trading!

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  slush factor & interior faux pas - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By mundocovar - June 28 - 3:25 pm

  amidst looking for a good crossover for my size 6-5... while i am an avid fast driver, we need the room to lug around at least 4 big people without having to get a mini van or a suburban monster. we test drove the car but the title of crossover is not there. the car feels like a small truck. handling is slushy and feels a bit delayed. the room inside has with great features. but the quality of the finish turned us off. the sun roof(s) were covered with a flimsy slide cloth that did not close well and that would be torn off at the first fight between my children, sunroof hardware was exposed were tie rods would lead to finger stubbing cleanup .unlike the toyota HIGHLANDER clean desig