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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  Good little truck - 2002 GMC Sonoma
  By njoosse - November 15 - 10:17 am

  Nice little truck, very reliable. Lots of power, tows easily, good on gas. Its ten years old, with 115000miles, starting to rust. No issues with reliability at all, but I find it has a lot of rattles and squeaks, more than I would expect. Everything works good, air blows cold, heated seats, etc..., overall a good truck.

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  Strong solid truck - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By gosurf - November 2 - 10:30 pm

  Dad bought it used, hauled us up and down the coast thru my childhood and never a problem. The normal things went wrong around 150000, fuel pump transfer case radiator about 3000 in repairs , now its mine and runs strong as ever. With a 3 inch body lift and 33in all terrains the thing gets me through everything! I go down to corrala beach every few weaks and ruts or no ruts that vortec gets me out of anything. Rip out all the stupid electronics and lights forget about ac and this trucks a badass.

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  Many great features, just one thats worrying me - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By megant - September 30 - 2:28 am

  We purchased out Acadia in June of this year. Id had a Honda Pilot for 5 years, and while I really liked it, I wanted bucket seats in the second row and third row seating that was more easily accessible and was comfortable for adults-basically a minivan interior for seating without looking like a "mom-mobile" on the outside. The Acadia met these goals very nicely. Weve put a lot of miles on it with our 9 year old son and its been a very comfy ride. Its a beautiful vehicle, but the engine worries me. It can really hesitate when speeding up from a dead stop or slow speed-scary. It also isnt nearly as smooth in acceleration as my Honda was-a bit sluggish. A+ on everything but the engine-C.

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  A 3 year old car should not have these problems! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By nhkathyc - August 28 - 8:54 am

  That is what I was told by three different mechanics ... "A 3 year old car with 58K miles should not have these problems" My car failed the state inspection this year because it was leaking power steering fluid. The mechanic told me this but then asked me to come out so he could show me more concerns. In addition to the power steering fluid leak there were 3 oil leaks. 1 from the crank case and 1 from the transfer case that were especially concerning to him. Also, my A/C is not working right & my car had begun to overheat that day and I had to keep pulling over to let it cool down just to make it to the mechanic. He told me to get it right into the dealership. I did & left a LOT poorer!

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  Not bad at all - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By vakmere - August 26 - 12:34 am

  Nice exterior design. Good ride, I like the auto lift gate and great storage in the rear. Hard plastic interior is a little bit of a bummer and scratches easily however the layout of the dash and other accessories are good. Quiet ride on asphalt and road noise on concrete (typical). Absorbs the road imperfections very well. There is a small storage compartment on the dash, I dont get that one. You need an inspection mirror to see down in there to find the USB and I-Pod jack. Kind of useless IMO. Mileage is around 18mpg, typical for 5500 lbs of vehicle. Engine is not too noisy either. Radio in the rear console does get pretty warm, unusual for something solid state.

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  Gas Gauge Issue - 2007 GMC Envoy
  By mdelatorre - August 23 - 12:29 pm

  I have reviews several reviews and know that I am not the only one experiencing this issue. I have a 2007 Envoy and have had issues with the gas gauge for a few months now. The gas meter will indicate that I am empty but I will have gas in the tank. I have determined that once i get about 1/2 a tank it tells me i am empty. Are thier any plans on recalling this problem that several of us are experiencing?

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  Still going strong - 2005 GMC Canyon
  By sullylang - August 4 - 7:18 am

  Coming up on 8 years owning this truck. It still runs great, drives great, very reliable, and good efficiency (18mpg city / 22 mpg hwy). Gas mileage was better with regular hwy tires. Dick Cepek FC-II tires took about 1 mpg off the fuel economy. Just did 120k service on vehicle. I wrecked my brakes, but they would have needed rotors and drums at 120k either way. Only issue thats odd is the rough, or low idle from a dirty throttle body. Very simple to clean, and now runs perfect again. Very satisfied with this truck. The experts have their blinders on when giving it poor performance ratings. Power is great and it tows very well.

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  four times unlucky - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By joemxz - July 30 - 8:59 pm

  i bought the terrain with awd v6 with plans of towing my rv and it has been good however the last month it was been burning oil? and its been in the shop 3 times to be fixed and each time it is something else fron solenoids to oil seals and now its doing it again with less than 30000 miles on it. each time its been in shop 4 days and now i am taking it back its frustrating to say but warranty is helping but once its up scary hope its four time lucky

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  Time for another Acadia- Maybe - 2008 GMC Acadia
  By lakedean - July 29 - 10:32 am

  I love my Acadia however I must say that this Vehicle has had more problems than any other vehicle I have ever owned. Headlight $500 New Transmission $3,500 New Odometer $500 sqeeking noise in dashboard. We also Own 2 Buick Enclaves. Just bought my wife a 2012 Buick in March. Im waiting for the 2013 GMC Acadias to come out but I worried about any problems with new models and the fact that my current SUV cost soooooo much in repairs. What to do????? I would love to hear back from GMC customer relations.

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  Surprised so far - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By 1sttimegmc - July 16 - 10:08 am

  We have driven Japanese vehicles for the last 15 years, we have a 2010 pilot right now as the wifes car, and they have all been stellar. I have been admiring the Acadia for some time. We really like the way that it drives and looks. The build quality seems on pr with the Hondas, the material quality is a step below the pilot. We like the smooth ride and quietness of it. The pilot is louder by far. The space is also very nice. We have had it one month and 1500 miles, so time will tell on the reliability front. The only real gripe I have so far is the transmission behaves oddly in 6th gear at a light cruise. Most other 6 speed AT s I have driven seem to have some quirks as well.