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2016 GMC Sierra 3500

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$34,635

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Truck

Body style

3

Seating capacity

229.5” x 76.85”

Dimensions

Rear-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(10 reviews)

The good:

  • All-Terrain model
  • Two bed-length choices for crew cab
  • Direct-injection, cylinder-deactivating engines
  • Quiet interior

The bad:

  • No long-bed double-cab model for 1500
  • No diesel-engine option on 1500
  • Steering wheel not centered on driver's seat

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Trucks for 2024

Notable features

  • New front-end styling for Sierra 1500
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto smartphone-mirroring available
  • New remote locking tailgate available
  • OnStar with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hot spot available
  • Magnetic Ride Control on Sierra Denali models
  • Forward collision warning available

2016 GMC Sierra 3500 review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

The Sierra 1500 is GMC’s entrant in the half-ton pickup truck segment. It is a corporate cousin of the Chevrolet Silverado, sharing the same platform, engines, body styles and major mechanical features. The Sierra has different styling, particularly in front, and GMC positions its vehicles as more upscale than the Chevrolet versions. Competitors include the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.

As with the Silverado, the Sierra is available in 2500HD and 3500HD heavy-duty versions that offer higher payloads and towing capacities.

(Skip to details on the: Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD)
New for 2016
The Sierra 1500 gets new front styling highlighted by unique grilles for each model, and new headlights with LED accent lighting. High-intensity-discharge headlights are standard, and LED headlights are standard on the Denali trim level and available on the SLT trim.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technology for accessing smartphone apps through the dashboard touch-screen is newly available. Wireless phone charging is included in trucks with front bucket seats. The eight-speed automatic transmission is now available with the 5.3-liter V-8 in SLT and Denali models. A remote locking tailgate and power running boards are available.
Significant Standard Features

  • 285-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 engine
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Rear-wheel drive
  • Air conditioning
  • Cruise control
  • Power door locks
  • Full-size spare tire
  • Trailer-sway control
  • Hill start assist
  • Required in every new car: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system

Significant Available Features

  • 355-hp, 5.3-liter V-8
  • 420-hp, 6.2-liter V-8
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission
  • Four-wheel drive
  • Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension (Denali)
  • OnStar 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hot spot (data subscription required)
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
  • Remote locking tailgate
  • Power running boards
  • Power adjustable pedals
  • Heated and cooled front seats
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane keeping assist

Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD
The GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD heavy-duty pickup trucks were redesigned last year. They are the true workhorses of the Sierra lineup and are designed for hauling heavy payloads and towing trailers up to 23,200 pounds.

For 2016, available digital steering assist power steering provides greater responsiveness and improved steering feel, according to GMC. A new Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel Trailering Prep Package includes a spray-in bedliner.

Also newly available are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow mirroring of certain smartphone apps on the dashboard touch-screen. A remote locking tailgate and wireless phone charging are also available.
What’s Special

  • Standard 360-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
  • Available 301-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 (compressed natural gas or gasoline)
  • Available 397-hp, turbo-diesel 6.6-liter V-8 with 765 pounds-feet of torque
  • Maximum towing capacity of 20,000 pounds with a conventional trailer hitch
  • Maximum fifth-wheel or gooseneck towing capacity of 23,200 pounds

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Consumer reviews

(10 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.9
  • Value 4.8
  • Exterior 4.9
  • Reliability 5.0
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Most recent consumer reviews

sweet

Great Trucks! Owned quite a few and they never let me down and seem to hold their value. I will keep buying them for as long as I can.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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looked for this truck for some time

Dream truck. I have been wanting this exact truck for a long time. Getting ready to make it my own. I'm done with this review

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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The Denali package is fully loaded

This is going to be the truck we’ll have for a long time and with the Duramax/Allison combination, that shouldn’t be hard to do at all!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Towing
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 10 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by GMC
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 model years or newer/up to 75,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
12 months/12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years/100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Powertrain
6 years/100,000 miles
Dealer certification required
172-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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