The GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado are assembled side-by-side at the same facility, just as the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado share production lines, as do the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain. These vehicles also share the same exterior color lineups, but it’s hard to ignore the significant price differences between the two as Big Red often charges considerably more for these hue than The Bow Tie does, and GM Authority takes a closer look at the discrepancies below.
Before delving in, we should first note that GMC names its colors differently than Chevy. However, said colors do share paint codes, indicating that they are the same. It’s possible that GMC justifies charging more for the same colors as Chevy because it considers itself a “premium” brand, but otherwise, there’s no difference between them.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at color options and what they cost on GMC vehicles versus Chevy.
| Chevy Paint Color Name | GMC Paint Color Name | Paint Color Code | Chevy Colorado Price | GMC Canyon Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summit White | Summit White | GAZ | $0 | $0 |
| Black | Onyx Black | GBA | $0 | $495 |
| Nitro Yellow Metallic | Solar Flare Metallic | GCP | $395 | $495 |
| Glacier Blue Metallic | Dynamic Blue Metallic | GLT | $395 | $495 |
| Radiant Red Tintcoat | Volcanic Red Tintcoat | GNT | $495 | $645 |
| Sand Dune Metallic | Desert Sand Metallic | GTL | $0 | $495 |
| Sterling Gray Metallic | Sterling Metallic | GXD | $0 | $495 |
| Harvest Bronze Metallic | Deep Bronze Metallic | GXN | $0 | $495 |
Summit White (paint code GAZ) is the only no-cost option for the Canyon, but it’s one of five $0 choices for the Colorado. In fact, GMC charges $495 for the other four colors that are free for the Colorado (GBA, GTL, GXD and GXN). GMC also charges $495 for two colors that Chevy asks $395 for (GCP and GLT), while Radiant Red Tintcoat/Volcanic Red Tintcoat (GNT) costs $150 more on the Canyon than the Colorado ($645 and $495, respectively).
GMC Canyon in Volcanic Red Tintcoat (GNT)
Chevy Colorado in Radiant Red Tintcoat (GNT)
| Chevy Paint Color Name | GMC Paint Color Name | Paint Color Code | Chevy Equinox Price | GMC Terrain Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iridescent Pearl Tricoat | White Frost Tricoat | G1W | $995 | $1,095 |
| Summit White | Summit White | GAZ | $0 | $0 |
| Mosaic Black Metallic | Ebony Twilight Metallic | GB8 | $0 | $495 |
| Riptide Blue Metallic | Riptide Metallic | GJV | $0 | $495 |
| Radiant Red Tintcoat | Volcanic Red Tintcoat | GNT | $495 | $645 |
| Sterling Gray Metallic | Sterling Metallic | GXD | $0 | $495 |
| Harvest Bronze Metallic | Deep Bronze Metallic | GXN | $0 | $495 |
| Lakeshore Blue Metallic | Downpour Metallic | GXP | $0 | $495 |
Summit White (GAZ) is the sole no-cost choice for the Terrain and one of six for the Equinox; the other five (GB8, GJV, GXD, GXN and GXP) are $495 for the Terrain. Radiant Red Tintcoat/Volcanic Red Tintcoat (GNT) is $495 on the Equinox and $645 on the Terrain, while Iridescent Pearl Tricoat/White Frost Tricoat (G1W) costs $995 on the Equinox and $1,095 on the Terrain.
GMC Terrain in White Frost Tricoat (G1W)
Chevy Terrain in Iridescent White Tricoat (G1W)
| Chevy Paint Color Name | GMC Paint Color Name | Paint Color Code | Chevy Silverado Price | GMC Sierra Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iridescent Pearl Tricoat | White Frost Tricoat | G1W | $995 | $1,095 |
| Dark Ash Metallic | Titanium Rush Metallic | G6M | $0 | $495 |
| Red Hot | Cardinal Red | G7C | $0 | $495 |
| Summit White | Summit White | GAZ | $0 | $0 |
| Black | Onyx Black | GBA | $0 | $495 |
| Glacier Blue Metallic | Dynamic Blue Metallic | GLT | $395 | $495 |
| Slate Gray | Thunderstorm Gray | GNO | $0 | $495 |
| Radiant Red Tintcoat | Volcanic Red Tintcoat | GNT | $495 | $645 |
| Sterling Gray Metallic | Sterling Metallic | GXD | $0 | $495 |
| Harvest Bronze Metallic | Deep Bronze Metallic | GXN | $0 | $495 |
| Lakeshore Blue Metallic | Downpour Metallic | GXP | $0 | $495 |
Finally, taking a look at the Silverado versus the Sierra reveals more of the same. Again, Summit White (GAZ) is the only $0 paint color for the Sierra and Silverado both. Seven no-cost paint colors available for the Silverado (G6M, G7C, GBA, GNO, GXD, GXN and GXP) each cost $495 on the Sierra.
GMC Sierra 1500 in Dynamic Blue Metallic (GLT)
Chevy Silverado 1500 in Glacier Blue Metallic (GLT)
Chevy’s Glacier Blue Metallic (GLT) is $395 and GMC’s Dynamic Blue Metallic is $495; Radiant Red Tintcoat/Volcanic Red Tintcoat (GNT) is $495 on the Silverado and $645 on the Sierra; and finally, Iridescent Pearl Tricoat/White Frost Tricoat (G1W) costs $995 and $1,095 respectively.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments – should GMC get away with charging more for the same paint colors as Chevy? And be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Colorado news, GMC Canyon news, Chevy Silverado news, GMC Sierra news, Chevy Colorado news, GMC Canyon news, Chevy news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
“Why Does GMC Charge For Paint Colors” …… article never answers the question asked in the title….story about nothing????
I’m pretty sure it’s to give the GMC a more premium price compared to the Chevy?
MONEY!!!!!!!!!
because GM Authority does not want to say the truth. So I will …..”GREED”
Well in Canada I got charged $495 for the Lakeshore Blue Metallic on my 2024 Silverado!
Cadillac has done the same thing with their paint color pricing. And like Charlie says, we have no answer.
Came here thinking GMA had the answer…
Like destination fees rising ridiculously since 2019, it’s a total scam. Buick goes so far as to charge for EVERY paint color other than basic white, which is beyond ludicrous. Disgusting.
This is how their transaction price continues to rise, It’s like any other junk fee. It’s to lower initial sticker shock and nickel and dime. Or $100 and $1000 the consumer to a vehicle that is 1-5 k more than the initial price. Each trim could have a certain level of features. But this way they can give you choices/options in each with a menu price added to each one. Moving that price line little by little.
As it said at the end of the second paragraph, GMC considers itself a “premium brand”.
Because buyers are willing to pay it.
It’s not that their willing to pay. When you are at the dealer and ordering a truck, it’s charged because they say it is. What’s the buyer going to do? I guess if you walk out, you don’t get to buy the truck! By the same token though, Dealer says Ok no charge. Isn’t that the same as getting $495 off the MSRP? I got a $7000 discount when I bought my 2024 Silverado RST. Supposedly preferred pricing, but what does that really mean? Was the dealer ripping me off for $7000 if I didn’t get the discount? Or, is the MSRP inflated so that even with your discount, they get want they wanted for the truck, and you’re happy because you got a $7000 discount? Bottom line is, unless you know exactly what the Dealer paid for the truck, you’ll never know if you really got a so called “Deal”.
Exactly! How many times have I heard…I got a great deal. How do you know? You got a payment you are happy with, that’s all. It doesn’t mean you got a great deal. Only the desking manager knows if you did. Period. Also, if you’re putting pen to paper before seeing that manager, you paid to much. Remember, the saying; No one walks till a manager talks.
No wonder why GMC has lower sales than Chevy. Don’t know why GM keeps GMC alive. Oh wait, I know…. because there are plenty of stupid people in this world who support GMC.
Wasn’t this GMC’s tag line for year? “We are professional grade,”
Maybe that’s part of what makes them that. lol. But seriously, it’s a money grab. It’s no different than the most recent stupid move where they leave a bunch of un-painted black plastic trim that screams cheap. If you want a fully painted vehicle, you have to pony up and pay more. Ahem, Buick brand and the Avenir!!
Yeah, GMC is professional grade, but Chevrolet wins all the awards! And the only difference in the trucks is the grills, tailgates and interior.
Because they can & the buyers will pay for it. Bottom line is to get more money out of the customer every step & every way they can. Same thing the airlines have been doing since they figured out the customer will fall for it.
The colors may be the “same” but within those paint codes there are variances that use different tints, metallics, and pearls that can quickly influence the mix price. The high end models generally receive the more vibrant variations that include the higher priced materials needed to create the effect. I cannot say for every color on the list this runs true but in general that is the case. Most tintcoat colors do get an extra coat of mid coat though.
That is total BS. I’ve worked in paint and body and owned two shops for over 30 years. The paints and the process in painting are totally the same.
Congratulations! I’ve spent the past 15 years mixing and matching paints doing auto body, along with my father’s 40 years of experience. In our time this has been our experience when owning the business and accounting for the mix prices when paint matching. The process is the same, painting is painting, but the materials change. If you didn’t notice I said not every color. My Thunderstorm Gray AT4XHD mix only has one variant, however the Titanium Rush has five all with different mixes and associated costs. When using the AcquireRX paint camera it most commonly will pick the “fancier” option when it is on the higher end models/brands.
It still doesn’t justify the extra almost $500 even if what you say is true. I’m sure the ” extra ” tints you claim are in GMC paint don’t cost that much.
Come on MAN!!!
It is a matter of personnel preference. If is was buying a truck for work I really don’t care Chevy or GMC but I chose my GMC because I like the different look of grill and trim and to me it looks better in MY opinion and as we are paying big bucks for these vehicles I am willing to pay a little more to make myself happy as I have to look at the vehicle every day and in store window as I drive by. Besides European vehicles charge for paint color and have been for a long time. I don’t agree but there is NO box you can check to get your vehicle in only “Primer”!
New GMC slogan…. Professional Grade Scam. How else would you describe charging significantly more for the exact same product built by the exact same people? I’d buy a Chevy 10 times out of 10 just on the pricing policy alone. Frankly, I’d feel stupid paying more for the same thing.
GMC tag line: “We Are Professional Greed”.
Between the $495 paint fee and the $1500 mandatory three-year OnStar subscription, I am quite happy with my Silverado.
Can’t believe there is a charge for damn paint!, and it’s not only GMC doing this nonsense. Tell you what, you keep the paint and sell me the truck. What’s next a separate line item for the rear window or the brakes? And don’t get me started on the so called Dealer Prep Fee…..code for a simple car wash. This industry is all sorts of coo coo.
Just another reason people have so much distrust of the auto industry. There is NO legitimate answer for the disparaging price difference. Year ago, in the ‘80’s, I was told that identically equipped base pickups would have the GMC $100 more that the Chevy. Why you ask? Back in the day the Chevy came standard with an AM/FM radio and the GMC with an AM/FM Cassette player. Thus the $100 difference with all other options the same.
Car dealers and manufacturers, right up there with Lawyers…LOL
I know we are talking about paint….but, the reason I went with a ‘24 Canyon instead of a Colorado was for the power passenger seat. Really, Chevy? My 2015 Z71 had that but it’s nowhere to be found in the 3rd Gen no matter what trim level. I actually prefer the look of the Colorado but was willing to pony up for the GMC. Having said that, there are some volume dealers giving 8% off MSRP now.
When it is 20% off MSRP again, talk to me. I refuse to pay for Mary’s EV / government mandate on top of the price of the truck I want. I am not anti EV, but I am totally anti government mandate. In normal circumstances I would have bought a new truck two years ago, but I will keep my old Silverado going and refuse to buy under these conditions.
It’s all about money.
As far as the paint variations, they may have the same paint code but there is definitely some differences when comparing the Harvest Bronze and Deep Bronze.
The only thing premium about GMC is the price. They are no nicer than Chevys and Chevys are not premium in any of their segments.
Wow, I saw that when pricing out a pickup earlier this year. What kinda crap is that. Even if you wanted the nice chrome wheels on a dually GMC Sierra. No chance but available on the Silverado and a few more differences. Same trucks but GMC will cost you more. Bad for you GM.
You never answer the question in the article. What a waste of space. Anyone who stops for vehicles knows this. It’s marketing and provides a means to differentiate brands would be my guess. Whether they are produced on the same line or not is immaterial. What goes into them in terms of parts and software is everything and in some cases are the difference. At the end of the day the price of the new vehicle is msrp and one negotiates the final deal. For me I paid sticker but negotiated a few dealer options, oil changes, and replacement tires into the the sale at no extra charge. Sounds more like you are stirring the pot – not sure what purpose that serves other than being irresponsible and antagonistic. Maybe consider spend your time writing things that are actually useful – like why do the never have the recall parts available when I take my vehicles in to have them updated?
The premium paint options started with the German brands. I think it was in the 80’s. With Porsche, white, black and red were non-metallic and no extra charge. Every other color cost extra. Other brands from other countries caught on and expanded the practice. Now GMC cost more than Chevrolet, Buick more than GMC and Cadillac highest of all. Haven’t looked at the new Porsches lately (love my current one but too old to justify buying a new one) but I am guessing they are probably a couple of thousand more for the ‘premium’ colors.
If they charge extra for the same paint, do they charge more for the same A/C, radio, or other options.
Maybe it allows GMC dealers to make more $$ or they can discount the vehicle and not loose any profit
When I worked far an AC Delco distributor a few years ago I delivered to one GM dealer and this has nothing to do with paint but this particular GM dealer said the only difference between the GMC and the Chevrolet is on the captains seat the GMC took a different switch than the Chevrolet and a different switch on the rear differential.
Also they said the GMC had a cable going from the engine to the differential that cost $1100.00 that Chevrolet didn’t have and other than that they were the same truck other than cosmetically.
It’s simple volume, that’s all. Chevy outsells GMC by a considerable margin so Chev can offer a wider range of premium paint colours for free solely based on a higher sales volume. Chevrolet makes their money on higher sales overall, not individually, so they can offset the cost of the paint in this manner.