We already knew that the GMC Sierra 1500 is getting a freshening of sorts for the 2016 model year; what we didn’t know is the full extent of the refresh. But thanks to GM’s recently-released 2016 model year order guides, we now know exactly what changes and updates are in store for Big Red’s full-size light-duty pickup truck, which roughly mirror those of the Sierra’s K2XX platform mate — the 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500.
For starters, the 2016 Sierra 1500 does away with six colors while adding three new ones:
Deleted Colors
- Cayenne Metallic
- White Diamond Tricoat
- Sonoma Red Metallic
- Fire Red
- Bronze Alloy Metallic
- Emerald Green Metallic
New Colors
- Crimson Red Tintcoat
- Cardinal Red
- White Frost Tricoat
The 2016 GMC Sierra also deletes 18- and 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels and the IO4 audio system, while adding the following features:
- Remote Locking Tailgate
- IntelliLink audio system with 7-inch color touch screen
- HD Radio returns to IO5 and IO6 audio systems
- In-vehicle wireless smartphone charging
- IntelliBeam automatic high beam on/off headlights (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- Bi-halogen projector headlamps with LED signature
- Full LED headlamps with LED signature
- LED signature taillamps
- 20″ Black painted aluminum wheels
- Active Safety Lane Keep Assist (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- LPO Chrome recovery hooks
What’s more, the 2016 Sierra makes the following changes:
- SLT Premium package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- Texas SLT Premium package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- Manual tilt and telescoping steering is added to (PCM) SLE Convenience Package on Double and Regular Cab
- Z71 is now only available on 4WD models
And that, ladies and gents, rounds out the changes and updates to the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. Are you satisfied with them, or were you hoping for more? Talk to us in the comments.
Deletions
- (IO4) Audio system
- (RT5) 18″ chrome aluminum wheels
- (NZM) 20″ chrome aluminum wheels
- (G1H) Cayenne Metallic
- (GBN) White Diamond Tricoat
- (GCE) Sonoma Red Metallic
- (GCN) Fire Red
- (GWX) Bronze Alloy Metallic
- (G7J) Emerald Green Metallic
New Features
- (A91) Remote Locking Tailgate
- (IOB) Radio: IntelliLink audio system with 7″ color touch screen
- (KC4) Wireless Charging
- (TQ5) IntelliBeam, automatic high beam on/off headlights (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- Headlamps, bi-halogen projector with LED signature
- Headlamps, Full LED headlamps with LED signature
- Tailamps, LED with signature
- (NZQ) 20″ Black painted aluminum wheels
- (UHX) Active Safety Lane Keep Assist (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- (SDA) LPO Chrome recovery hooks
- (G1E) Crimson Red Tintcoat
- (G7C) Cardinal Red
- (G1W) White Frost Tricoat
Changes
- (N37) manual tilt and telescoping is added to (PCM) SLE Convenience Package on Double and Regular Cab
- HD Radio: returns to (IO5) and (IO6) audio systems
- (PDB) SLT Premium Package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- (PDC) Texas SLT Premium Package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- (Z71) is available on 4WD models only
Deletions
- (G1H) Cayenne Metallic
- (GBN) White Diamond Tricoat
- (GCE) Sonoma Red Metallic
- (GCN) Fire Red
- (GWX) Bronze Alloy Metallic
- (G7J) Bronze Alloy Metallic
- (IO4) Radio
- (RT5) 18″ Chrome Aluminum Wheels
- (NZM) 20″ Chrome Aluminum Wheels
New Features
- (A91) Remote Locking tailgate
- (IOB) Radio: IntelliLink audio system with 7″ color touch screen
- (KC4) Wireless Charging
- (TQ5) IntelliBeam, automatic high beam on/off headlights (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- Headlamps, bi-halogen projector with LED signature
- Headlamps, Full LED headlamps with LED signature
- Taillamps, LED with signature
- (NZQ) 20″ black painted aluminum wheels
- (UHX) Active Safety Lane Keep Assist (included and only available with Y86 Enhanced Driver Alert Package)
- (SDA) LPO Chrome recovery hooks
- (G1E) Crimson Red Tintcoat
- (G7C) Cardinal Red
- (G1W) White Frost Tricoat
- (AZ3) Seat available in HOU trim on 1SA
Changes
- HD Radio: Available again on (IO5) and (IO6) audio systems
- (PDB) SLT Premium Package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- (PDC) Texas SLT Premium Package available on Crew Cab and Double Cab models
- (Z71) Off-Road Package is available on 4WD models only
Comments
Build guide shows 8 speed standard on SLT w/5.3
Where did you get that Info at?
I just checked the build guide. It only shows the M5U (8-speed) available (not standard) for the 5.3L on Crew Cab models only.
If you see otherwise, can you please email me: chris AT gmauthority DOT com.
Thank you Chris
It’s standard on the SLT, check it. Under “Mechanical” there is a “CREW AND DOUBLE CAB SLT”. 8 speed has a S for standard. in other parts of the guide it states the 8 speed is “A” for available because in that section it doesn’t separate SLT/SLE etc.
4th from the bottom on the list.
It would be neat to see more mechanical combinations available, like being able to get the 6.2L in lower trim levels (even if it had to be a special made to order only)
What about drive train changes? Interior design? Wheels?
Negative on the first two. The wheels changes are listed in the change list above.
Black wheels and chrome recovery hooks. Backwards thinking.
Silverado got power assist steps. Will Sierra?
Not according to the order guides, no.
YES It comes in the SLT Supreme package and the Denali package.
The money wasted on the active lane assist would have been better spent on push button start. At least for SLT & Denali.
Its very silly it’s not a feature in the truck. Especially a 55k Denali.
Also….no 4.5L Duramax to round out the truck lineup. There’s now a gaping hole between the Colorado Duramax and Sierra HD Duramax. And since they didn’t “dust off the 4.5” for 2016, I doubt we’ll see it now until the next major refresh two years from now for the 2018 model year.
I do like that they have added the “cool” factor of the full LED headlights. Finally keeping up with the competition on that one. People love that sort of thing.
Correct. The geniuses who miss 1987, wanting that pushrod 4.3 V6 are well taken care of. The ones looking for diesel power in a half ton will have to go for the Ram or Titan.
So the Sierra will get a power assist step but not available on the flagship Sierra Denali? Who thought that was a good idea? Hello GM, Ford offered this option last year.
When will the 2016’s start being built? When will the start showing up at dealers?
The Denali should be the first GM truck to get the powered steps, this must be a mistake?
They will be available on the Sierra.
https://www.gmc.com/2016-sierra-1500-pickup-truck.html
I cannot believe all-wheel drive is not at least an option for the Denali 1500. It was the best thing available on the Denali. There in nothing special about the Denali anymore.
All wheel drive is a disadvantage – no ability to drive in 2WD. Also, the 4WD models have the “Auto” setting that kicks in the 4WD if wheel slippage is sensed