2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Trim Level Overview

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB

The two-door 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD LB offers a long 8-foot pickup bed for more cargo space. The part-time 4WD features automatic locking hubs and can be equipped with a locking rear differential. Skid plates and 8.4 inches of ground clearance help with off-road power, as does the standard 285-hp, 4.8-liter V8 with 295 ft-lbs of torque. Available transmissions include a 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual. An optional trailer hitch allows you to tow up to 8,900 pounds. More power is available in the 5.3-liter V8 engine, which is also offered in a flex fuel version.

The 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD LB seats three in one row, with 41 inches of front legroom. Bucket front seats can replace the standard bench. Minimally equipped, the pickup features a CD player, cruise control, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, vinyl seats, front cupholders, and a front power outlet. Power accessories cost more, as do remote entry, extendable mirrors, and a sliding rear window. The Sierra 1500 earns only three and four stars in frontal impact tests. It comes equipped with four-wheel ABS, front disc and rear drum brakes, dual front airbags, a front stabilizer bar, and 17-inch wheels with all-season tires. Daytime running lights and automatic headlights are also standard.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB

The 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 4WD LB features four doors (though the rear doors are smaller, reverse-hinged, and don't open independently from the front doors), two rows of seats, and an 8-foot cargo bed, thanks to almost 20 more inches in overall length than Regular Cab trims. Tow hooks are standard, with the option to add a trailer hitch. This trim also adds part-time four-wheel drive with automatic locking hubs and low-range gearing for off-road performance. A locking rear differential is optional. The pickup rides on a front independent and solid live axle rear suspension, with 17-inch wheels and all-season tires, and 8.4 inches of ground clearance. Skid plates are available.

Powering this pickup is a 285-hp, 4.8-liter V8 with 295 ft-lbs of torque. A 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual are the transmission options. A 295-hp, 5.3-liter V8 and a 195-hp, 4.3-liter V6 are also available. Fuel economy averages in the mid- to high teens, and towing capacity tops out at 8,500 pounds.

The 2006 Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended gets three and four stars in frontal impact tests. It comes standard with dual front airbags, front disc and rear drum brakes, 4-wheel ABS, and automatic headlights. Side curtain bags and traction control are not options. A chrome grille and bumpers dress up the exterior. Inside, drivers are treated to tilt and power steering, a CD player, cruise control, a front power outlet, intermittent wipers, and a tachometer. Rear passengers get seatback pockets and a cramped 33.7 inches of legroom. A sliding rear window that leads to the bed is optional. Other add-ons include full power features, remote entry, privacy glass, cloth seats, and extendable side mirrors.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB

Riding on a front independent and solid live axle rear suspension, the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD features part-time four-wheel-drive power with automatic locking hubs, but only 8.4 inches of ground clearance. Skid plates and a locking rear differential cost extra. Under the hood sits a 4.8-liter, 285-hp V8 that puts out 295 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 RPM. It comes standard with a 4-speed automatic, but a 5-speed manual is available. A 5.3-liter V8 is also available as a regular engine or a flex fuel E85 version. Fuel economy averages 15/19 mpg, and towing capacity tops out at 9,100 pounds.

The Regular Cab seats three in a front-row bench, and this particular trim comes with a 6.5-foot pickup bed with standard tow hooks and an optional trailer hitch. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are optional, but the 2006 Sierra 1500 SL1 does offer tilt and power steering, cruise control, a CD player, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, and a front power outlet. It earns only three and four stars in crash tests, due to a lack of side curtain airbags. Unlike the rear-wheel-drive trims, traction control is not optional. Dual front airbags, a front stabilizer bar, front-wheel disc and 4-wheel ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, automatic headlights, and 17-inch steel wheels with all-season tires are standard. The SL1 comes with several options, including remote entry, a sliding rear window, front bucket seats, and extendable side mirrors.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB

The part-time on-demand 4WD system adds some rugged performance capability to the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 4WD SB. Low-range gearing lets you take it off-road, and skid plates can be added for extra protection, since the pickup comes with 8.4 inches of ground clearance. Standard power for this pickup comes from a 285-hp, 4.8-liter V8 with 295 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 RPM. You can substitute a 4.3-liter V6 or a 5.3-liter V8 with flex fuel option. All engines are paired with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual.

The Extended Cab seats up to six in two rows, with a spacious 41 inches of legroom up front, but only 33.7 in the back. Front bucket seats can replace the front split-folding bench. The cargo bed is 6.5 feet long and comes with tow hooks. The optional trailer hitch enables towing up to 8,700 pounds. Tilt and power steering, cruise control, a CD player, intermittent wipers, vinyl seats, a front power outlet, and a tachometer are all standard.

On the safety front, you get automatic locking hubs, a front stabilizer bar, 4-wheel ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, and dual front airbags. Daytime running lights and automatic headlights are also standard. Traction control is not offered on 4WD models, but you can add a locking rear differential. Other options include power windows, locks, and extendable mirrors as well as remote entry and a sliding rear window.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 8 ft. LB

If you need lots of cargo space, the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD LB features an 8-foot cargo bed, about 1.5 feet longer than the standard bed. The Regular Cab features two doors opening onto a front-row bench that seats three, though optional bucket seats are available. This rear-wheel-drive pickup gets its power from a 195-hp, 4.3-liter V6 that gets 260 ft-lbs of torque at 2,800 RPM. A 5.3-liter V8, in regular or flex fuel form, is optional. Both engines comes standard with a 4-speed automatic, with the option to add a 5-speed manual transmission. Standard wheels are 17 inches, holding all-season tires.

With a dismal four and three stars in crash tests, the 2006 Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab LB lacks standard side curtain airbags and stability control, even as options. Dual front airbags, 4-wheel ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and a front stabilizer bar are standard, along with automatic headlights and daytime running lights. Traction control, skid plates, and a locking rear differential can be added. Comfort features include a CD player, cruise control, intermittent wipers, a front power outlet, tilt and power steering, and a tachometer. Options add power windows, locks, and mirrors, a sliding rear window, extendable mirrors for easier rearview vision, and remote entry. If vinyl is too sticky in the summer, cloth seats are also available.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 8 ft. LB

To make room for the longer 8-foot cargo bed, the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab LB adds 19 inches to its length and 14 to its wheelbase. The cargo bed comes with tow hooks, and a sliding rear window can be added. Two bench seats hold six people, though rear legroom is cramped. The second row is accessed only through half-doors that open toward the rear in conjunction with the front doors. Rear quarter windows open manually.

Under the hood of this rear-wheel-drive pickup rests a 4.8-liter V8 that gets 285 hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque. It can be replaced with either a 4.3-liter, 195-hp V6 (for a bit better gas mileage) or a 5.3-liter, 295-hp V8 in regular or flex fuel form. All are paired with either a 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual transmission.

Four-wheel ABS brakes, a front stabilizer bar, 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, dual front airbags, and automatic headlights are all standard safety features, but the Sierra earns only three and four stars in crash tests. Traction control is optional, along with skid plates and a rear locking differential. Side airbags are not offered. Cruise control, intermittent wipers, a CD player, tachometer, front power outlet, front console storage, cloth seats, and tilt and power steering are standard creature comforts, with the option to add power windows, locks, and extendable mirrors, remote entry, bucket front seats, and privacy glass.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 6.5 ft. SB

The rear-wheel-drive, two-door 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Regular Cab 4WD SB seats three people in one front-row bench, with a cargo bed 6.5 feet long. Tow hooks are standard, and an optional trailer hitch can tow up to 8,400 pounds with the 4.3-liter, 195-hp V6 engine. This engine is paired with either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission and serves up 260 ft-lbs of torque at a low 2,800 RPM. An available flex fuel 5.3-liter V8 adds more power. Front disc and rear drum brakes are supplemented by standard 4-wheel ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. Other safety features include dual front airbags, 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, and automatic headlights. Traction control and a rear locking differential are options.

The pickup has 8.4 inches of ground clearance and can be outfitted with optional skid plates. Built for utility rather than comfort, it still offers standard cruise control, a CD player, a tachometer, intermittent wipers, a front power outlet, and vinyl seats. Power locks, windows, and mirrors and remote entry cost extra, as do cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, a sliding rear window, and extendable mirrors.

2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 6.5 ft. SB

Adding 25 inches to both the length and the wheelbase of the 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab 4WD SB boosts passenger capacity to six in two rows of bench seats. The rear-wheel-drive pickup has four doors, though the rear reverse-hinged ones are not full-size and don't open independently of the front doors. Legroom in the second row is a mere 33.7 inches. The added length also requires the more powerful 4.8-liter, 285-hp V8, which gets 295 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 RPM. It can be mated with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual. Towing capacity maxes at 7,900 pounds, and fuel economy averages 16/20 mpg. Other engine choices include a 5.3-liter V8 and a 4.3-liter V6.

Riding on a front independent and solid live axle rear suspension, the 2006 Sierra 1500 SL1 Extended Cab comes equipped with cloth seats (instead of the vinyl found in Regular Cabs), cruise control, a CD player, intermittent wipers, a tachometer, tilt and power steering, and a front power outlet. It adds storage pockets in the front seatbacks. Bucket front seats are optional, along with full power features, extendable mirrors, and remote entry. An optional sliding rear window opens onto the 6.5-foot cargo bed, which comes with tow hooks. A trailer hitch can be added. Front disc and rear drum brakes come with 4-wheel ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution. Dual front airbags are standard, along with 17-inch wheels and automatic headlights. Available traction control adds more road grip. Other options include a locking rear differential and skid plates.