​​Options vs. Accessories​

If you are new to shopping for a brand-new vehicle or haven’t done it in a while, one thing that might confuse you is the array of options and accessories. They may seem very similar at first, as these are items with a particular purpose or appeal that is not already included on the vehicle, and you pay extra to get them. When choosing options and accessories for your desired model, it may seem like these are just ways for dealers to make more money, but in reality, the opposite is often true. Having certain features as options or accessories helps keep the vehicle less expensive by not loading it with special-purpose items you may never use. Valley GMC explains it all.

Options

Options, sometimes referred to as factory-installed items, are precisely that: installed at the factory. They are either added to a special order or based on the dealer’s and distributor’s best guess of what customers in a specific area will want. For example, customers in colder climates may be much more likely to want heated seats or all-weather floor liners, which people in the warm, dry Southwest might consider of little value. Many options are features that need to be installed during the vehicle’s construction. A power-sliding sunroof, for instance, is very difficult to add later, and various electronic options may require different wiring harnesses that are part of the build process.

Features that replace other features are often designated as factory options, so the replaced features aren’t just piling up somewhere. A good example of this would be differently styled wheels or a sliding rear window.

Option Packages

Options can be standalone or part of an option package. These packages often combine items with a similar theme, such as the previously mentioned heated seats, which may be combined with a heated steering wheel or heated side mirrors.

Sometimes the package features may be unrelated, but product planners have observed that previous customers often order them together, such as a package that includes both adaptive cruise control and a power-sliding rear window. These features are not directly connected, but past experience shows that the same people who choose one tend to select the other as well. By bundling them, the cost per unit can be reduced. Additionally, since most people purchase vehicles from existing inventory, option packages can reduce the number of vehicle configurations, increasing the likelihood that a dealer like ours will have a vehicle with the features you want in stock.

Accessories

Accessories are parts or features that are installed at the dealer level. One thing they all have in common is that they can be added to an already fully built vehicle. They also tend to be more specific, such as seat covers for dog owners or equipment needed to carry skis, a bicycle, a kayak, or other specific-interest gear.

Because of their add-on nature, accessories can be included at the time of purchase with their cost wrapped into the financing, or they can be added later. This helps your GMC adapt to your changing needs. You may not have planned on towing when you first purchased your Sierra 1500, but if you later find that you need to tow, you might want to consider adding a trailer hitch, lights, jack, and brake controller.

Though sold at the dealer level, many accessories are evaluated by GMC itself to ensure they are fully compatible and meet their promises.

It is always a good idea to review the options and accessories lists before purchasing your new GMC vehicle. You might discover solutions you didn’t know were available, and any way your vehicle can work best for you is a win for Valley GMC and GMC in general.