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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  Very Disappointed - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By lexreviewer - June 27 - 12:06 pm

  We have owned our 2007 Acadia for just over a year and it has been very disappointing. The first 2 months we owned it...it lived in the shop. Leaks from the moon roof. Then it was the suspension. Then it was the battery. Then the last straw was the transmission completely going. NOT GOOD. We traded it....took a loss and got out of it as soon as we could.

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  Gas Mileage Is Terrible - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By mjhow - June 26 - 8:02 pm

  We looked at Hondas, Mazdas and Toyotas. We finally chose the GMC Terrain based upon its size, design and most importantly it 22/32 gas mileage. I live in the South Carolina low country which is quite flat. I took the GMC on two trips to Florida on flat 4 lane easy roads. One to Tampa and one to Jacksonville from Hilton Head Island. Gas mileage to and from Tampa averaged 22-23 miles per gallon, not 32 miles per gallon. While on one trip I made various tests to determine that it is virtually impossible to get 32 miles per gallon. The closest you get is driving under 60 miles an hour on an easy Interstate with no A/C. City mileage is equally as terrible. Do not buy this for gas mileage.

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  Buy something else - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By londregan - June 23 - 9:50 pm

  I just read a review where the writer complained of engine issues/camshaft solenoid issues. I had the same exact problem with my 2011 Terrain. Six and a half weeks after driving it, the engine began to hesitate to a stall. I took it in for service and I was told it was the solenoid. A week later it happened again and I was told the mechanic didnÂ’t attached a hose right. I have 5000 miles on the truck and I am still not getting anywhere near 30 mpg as stated on the fuel mileage. I am driving 55 mph on the highway with cruise control, and eco mode on. Is my engine breaking in still, or is it safe to assume I got a Lemon? Do yourself a favor and buy a Toyota or Honda.

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  Oh My Gosh!! - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By rdwoz - June 13 - 10:50 pm

  Love the look and drive of the 2007 Acadia. Bought it with 30k on in 2008. Started of great. List of problems since we bought it as follows: Sunroof recall-fixed, followed by a severe leak that poured water on my rear seat heated wiper recall, struts replaced at 80k, front seal replaced twice meaning motor was pulled twice, transmission hoses, radio replaced once, and fought for further repairs numerous times before rusted and pinched were found, driver seat slides, but not in for repairs, remote starter barely works at the best of times, and to top it all off, I was driving home recently when I hit a rough patch of highway and my side impact airbags exploded without warning or reason.

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  $48000 car that does not have a compass - 2011 GMC Acadia
  By buckeye42 - June 7 - 2:00 pm

  Did not find out until after puchase that you can not get a compass on your Denali if you have the Bose entertainment system and the rear entertainment dvd player. Seems kind of cheap of GM to go high end on car but low end on every day useful items.

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  Maybe I bought a LEMON? - 2007 GMC Yukon
  By heather5586 - May 24 - 12:55 pm

  At 19,000 miles (yes, 19,000) the transmission went completely out. GM did pay for the tow and fixed it quickly. It didnt cost us a penny since it was under the 100,000 powertrain warranty. Currently the vehicle has about 28,000 miles and the transmission has started slipping everytime I take off. In addition, the driver side air conditioner blows out HOT when set on the coldest setting while the passenger side works fine so I have to close all the vents on the driver side and put the passenger side vents on me to get cool air. GM probably wont cover this since its out of the bumper to bumper warranty. This is will probably be the last GM I buy.

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  Horrible Electrical Problems - 2003 GMC Envoy
  By ldonivan - April 24 - 5:31 pm

  We bought this vehicle less than one year old- within 2 wks the CD player went. Within six months we lost the tach & the speedometer. Next to go were oil pressure and temp gauges. Then gas gauge. Entire instrument cluster replaced- very expensive dealership repair. Within 18 months the heat & AC only funcntioned on drivers side, and the radio worked only intermittently. Have had to replace fuses and relays repeatedly- relays are @ $40 a piece. Now you cant run the fan at all or it dies & I dont even want to know what that will cost to fix. Would not recommend anyone to buy this year of Envoy- unless of course someone would take mine off my hands. Please!

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  2010 GMC Terrain - 2011 GMC Terrain
  By baja2011 - February 15 - 4:26 pm

  First Off, we decided to buy the 4 cylinder over the 6, cause we thought we would get the 32-35 mpg on the highway. we are lucky if we get 24 mpg on the highway even with the ECO mode enabled and nitrogen in the tires. The dealership were acting like these terrains are the hottest selling vehicle on the market, but when you get inside-just a lot of shaped plastic parts and dash and bright red interior at night. Im not impressed with this vehicle at all and the price we paid for it. Very Disappointed in this Vehicle. We will not buy another terrain.

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  Love the Acadia, but does have lots of problems - 2007 GMC Acadia
  By bamamom1 - February 15 - 9:08 am

  I bought a 2007 Acadia in 2010 and it is Feb 2011 now. I bought it with 50,000 miles on it. It already in less than a year having it had to have a new transmission put in it..The front evaporator core went out..so A/C did not work at all. now my power Steering pump is going out, causing it to make a loud sound. I dont drive bad, I have three small children so I know its not me tearing it up. It would be okay if it was little things but these are major. Ive spent 1000s fixing it because it did not have warranty. So Please if you buy this vehicle..I would suggest getting the FULL warranty on it

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  Mixed Emotions - 2009 GMC Acadia
  By tank26 - January 10 - 1:26 pm

  I bought my 2009 Acadia in May of 2010 with 24,727 mi on it. So far, I have had to take it back to have one of the middle seat plastic seatbelt covers replaced, the cover for one of the middle seat pull downs replaced, and now the plastic at the base of the gear shift has slipped off of the top part and there are wires exposed. Needless to say, I agree with the statement about the cheap plastic parts. I also agree about the chrome lining around the radio and all of the AC vents. It thereÂ’s bright sun light, it gets you from one angle or another no matter what.