“We use GMC vans and trucks for my business and personal use. Their handling and longevity has far exceeded our expectations . The GMC Savana vans have handled the punishing nature of our business using and carrying saltwater for our aquarium maintenance business. At home we drive a Yukon with its excellent styling , handling and unparalleled reliability since 2009. That is the third Yukon I have owned.”
2016 GMC Sierra 3500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 is standard HID projector-beam headlights with GMC signature LED lighting on every trim. This is a light update rather than a redesign.
About the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500
Fourth-generation Sierra HD, second year after the 2015 redesign.
GMC positions the Sierra 3500 as a heavy-duty pickup that does serious towing and hauling work without giving up comfort. Compared with a bare-bones work truck, the Sierra leans more upscale, especially in SLT and Denali form, with a quieter cabin and more premium materials. For most buyers, it is a one-ton truck built for trailers, equipment, and hard jobs, but with trims that range from fleet-focused to genuinely luxurious.
The lineup ranges from the job-focused base truck to the more everyday-friendly SLE, the leather-trimmed SLT, and the upscale Denali. SLE adds an 8-inch touchscreen and rearview camera, while Denali stands out with navigation, Bose audio, parking sensors, and heated and ventilated front seats.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
A natural-gas powertrain joins the Base, SLE, SLT, and Denali. The regular gasoline powertrain leaves the Base, SLE, and SLT, while the main engine and six-speed automatic hardware otherwise carry over. Tow ratings move to the SAE J2807 testing standard, changing how capacities are measured and reported rather than the truck's hardware.
Styling
HID projector-beam headlights with GMC signature LED lighting become standard across the lineup. There is no sheet-metal redesign.
Safety
Denali and SLT gain Digital Steering Assist, an electronic steering aid. It is not added across the full lineup.
Tech
Faster 7-inch and 8-inch touchscreen hardware arrives with Apple CarPlay support. The 8-inch system gains Android Auto later in the model year, so early-production trucks may not have it.
2016 GMC Sierra 3500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, CNG, 6.0 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter / V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.6L / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, CNG, 6.0L / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter / V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.6L | V8, CNG, 6.0 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter / V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.6L / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, CNG, 6.0L / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.0 Liter / V8, Turbo Dsl, 6.6L |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd HD Overdrive / Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive / Auto, 6-Spd Allison OD | Auto, 6-Spd HD Overdrive | Auto, 6-Spd HD Overdrive / Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Auto, 6-Spd HD Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Natural Gas / Flexible Fuel / Diesel | Natural Gas / Flexible Fuel / Diesel | Natural Gas / Flexible Fuel / Diesel | Natural Gas / Flexible Fuel / Diesel |
| Horsepower | 225–397 hp | 225–397 hp | 225–397 hp | 225–397 hp |
| Torque | 333–765 lb-ft | 333–765 lb-ft | 333–765 lb-ft | 333–765 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 13000–19600 lb | 13000–19600 lb | 13000–19600 lb | 13000–13700 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 34.7–40.9 in | 34.7–40.9 in | 34.7–40.9 in | 40.9 in |
| Seats | 3–6 | 5 | 3–6 | 5 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 4 | 2–4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Park Assist | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| Fog Lights | ||||
| Heated Mirrors | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Mirrors | ||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||
| Side Steps | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Rear DVD Entertainment System | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| USB Ports | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Cooled Seats | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||||
| Tilt Wheel | ||||
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 fully redesigned?
No. The 2016 Sierra 3500 is a light update in the second year after the 2015 redesign. It keeps the same basic structure, engines, and six-speed automatic transmission.
Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 have Apple CarPlay?
Yes. Apple CarPlay arrives for 2016 with the updated touchscreen systems. SLE, SLT, and Denali use the faster 8-inch system.
Does every 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 have Android Auto?
No. Android Auto was added to the 8-inch touchscreen later in the model year, so it is not present on every 2016 truck.
Did the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 get new engines or a new transmission?
No new core engine or transmission hardware arrived for 2016. The gas V8, diesel V8, and six-speed automatic carry over, but a natural-gas powertrain joins every trim and the regular gasoline option leaves the Base, SLE, and SLT.
Which 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 trims gained Digital Steering Assist?
Denali and SLT gained Digital Steering Assist for 2016. The feature was not added across the entire Sierra 3500 lineup.
2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500.
4.2
2016 GMC Sierra 3500
(222 reviews)
“It's a pleasure to drive but don't settle for the full/cab and a half interior, get the crew cab because there isn't enough leg room in the back seat. Also this is a work truck so I have to have it to make money, if it was a truck for pleasure the MPG would be too prohibitive to justify owning. the gas mileage is about 12MPG”
“I think it is a well built vehicles. It has many features that I enjoy. I like having the option of the navigation”