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:

• 

  California to Colorado - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By buyusa2 - July 2 - 5:32 pm

  We purchased an SLT2 FWD in April 2007. We have 47,000 miles on the vehicle. We did experience a water pump issue that was covered under the 100K mileage warranty. Other than that, the Acadia has been trouble free. We just returned from a 2,100 mile trip to Colorado from California and back through the Nevada and Utah deserts where the temperature was 105 degrees. The Acadia was great. I realize some owners have experienced issues that Im sure GM is attempting to address. This vehicle is built by Americans for Americans as well as others. I only wish Id ordered AWD and a tow package (for bikes). Our mileage was 18.52 mpg matching exactly what the DIC indicated. Buy and Acadia

• 

  I love my Acadia! - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By ashrae9504 - June 14 - 4:59 pm

  I have never had a single problem with my GMC 09 Acadia. I bought my brand new with 9 miles on it in December of 08. Has gotten me everywhere across the midwest with all my trips. Its pretty good on gas mileage for a SUV. The only problem I have had to take it to a GMC dealership to get fixed is the 2 recalls which they fixed and paid me, and leaks in my tires which set off my tire system sensor. But i work in a construction field so therefor the slow leaks were due to a nail in my tires. And oh yeah the other thing was to reset my sensor for Air bags. But I have never had anything fixed and I have had this vehicle for 3-1/2 years brand new. Love this vehicle!!!!!!!!

• 

  BEST CAR. period - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By lovegmc1 - June 12 - 2:30 pm

  For our new car, we were going to test drive an edge at ray seraphin ford, but when they wouldnt let us because there was snow on top of the car (:0), we decided to go right next door to Scranton GMC. I fell in love with it as soon as we drove it off of the lot because of all the features as well as smoothness of the ride! A few months later, after driving every other comparable car, we decided on the acadia! Ever since Hallowee 2011, we have taken the beloved acadia everywhere, and racked up 16,000 miles, all without ONE problem(except for one onstar issue, but that wasnt the cars fault). The GMC acadia fits any family like a new member and is the best crossover/ SUV choice out there!!!!

• 

  Great Rig - 2002 GMC Yukon
  By mcinpdx - June 12 - 12:20 am

  Bought my 02 Yukon 6 months ago, and love it. Yes, shes a little thirsty (14/18), but its like driving a Cadillac on a 4x4 frame (w/ a tighter turning radius!) Fun to drive, safe in a wreck, and the easiest interior configuration Ive ever used. As a gig musician, Im always loading/unloading varying amounts of gear. This rig is so easy to pull seats out, rearrange space, etc.

• 

  Great looking and performing Truck - 2009 GMC Canyon
  By rhawes - May 13 - 2:19 pm

  Bought a ’09 4x4 Quad Cab SLT fully loaded with Z71 suspension and the 5.3L V-8 engine new for vacation travel and to use when going skiing by our cabin in northern Arizona. This truck has been everything I thought it would be and more! I had looked and test drove other trucks in the mid-size class the Toyota was the only one that came close to it, but Iwould have had to settle for a basic 4x4 quad cab model for what I paid for this truck. Toyota offers a 4.0L engine which didn’t seem to have the pull of the 4.3L that was in my ’98 S10. If GMC hadn’t offered the 5.3L engine, I “might” have considered the Toyota a bit more, but after driving one then the choice was simple.

• 

  Great little SUV! - 2012 GMC Terrain
  By dalerex - April 18 - 6:07 pm

  I have had my 2012 Terrain for less than three weeks now and simply love it. For the price, it is a quality vehicle.

• 

  Great Truck - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By tmgj - March 9 - 4:38 am

  My Dad bought my suburban new and put 170,000 miles on it. He replaced the fuel pump and the transfer case. I bought it from him and have put another 40,000 on it. Ive replaced the starter and the transfer case(again). At 210,000 it still runs great, drives down the highway like a dream and gets 18mpg on the highway. Im not going to downgrade to a smaller truck/suv to increase the mpgs by 3! When I wax it, it almost looks new....almost. I plan to take it to 300,000, the best part, no car payment, I always remind myself of that when Im filling up the 40 gallon tank.

• 

  wow!!!! - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By kimmyac - February 29 - 9:44 am

  I leased my 2011 Acadia in July of 2010, straight off the truck, first GMC I have ever driven. I was at the time driving an Explorer 7pass., that I was in love with and swore by. I was actually going to buy another one. However just paying attention to the different SUVs on the road, I liked the look and test drove a Saturn Outlook first. Then the GMC Acadia caught my eye. I went to the dealer to test drive one, and the next day my mind was made up (actually after I drove it my mind was made up) and I was the proud owner of a beautiful, stylish, comfortable, roomy, well handling, just outstanding vehicle in every aspect and detail. Can you tell I love my Acadia?

• 

  300 Thousand Miles - 1999 GMC Suburban
  By 300ksuburban - February 25 - 5:05 pm

  300 Thousand Miles on my 1999 GMC Suburban. Original engine and Transmission.

• 

  So Far So Good - 2012 GMC Acadia
  By bayerleinbio - February 8 - 8:39 pm

  I just bought this crossover. I looked at all crossovers - foreign and domestic - price, and mpg - and found Acadia a bit larger than I would have initially prefered, however I was impressed. I drive mainly in a small town, and I get 17 mph, with an average speed of 22mph from block to block. Ive owned Chevy trucks, a Tahoe, and an ML 350 Benz which I traded in for the Acadia. The interior is amazing, roomier than Toyota Rav4 (which was really narrow). Acceleration on Interstate was fine - I am not a dynamic quick driver rabbit start driver, so this vehicle suites my driving style nicely. Great to have the camera - in color - in the rear view mirror.