The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is smarter and just as hardworking as ever, with new tech features to enhance your rugged daily drive. Chevy’s full-size, light-duty truck offers so many iterations that it appeals to just about everyone, from drivers who long for off-road adventure to business owners in need of hefty hauling capabilities.
What’s New for 2021?
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity now optional
- Newly optional multi-configurable Multi-Flex tailgate
- Upgraded trailer-towing camera system
Power and Performance
With no less than four engine options available to suit your trucking needs, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is ready for whatever action you can throw its way. The 5.3-liter V8 engine is popular for its supreme hauling action, but it’s just as capable in off-road settings. We’re also big fans of the turbo diesel inline-6, an engine that strikes a modern balance between hefty towing capabilities and fuel efficiency.
Standard:
- 4.3L V6 engine (285 hp, 305 lb.-ft.)
- Six-speed automatic transmission
Optional:
- 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 348 lb.-ft.)
- Eight-speed automatic transmission
- 5.3L V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb.-ft.)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- 3.0L turbo diesel inline-6 engine (277 hp, 460 lb.-ft.)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
- Heavy-duty battery
- Advanced Trailering System
- Trailer brake controller
- Front and rear parking sensors
Towing and Hauling Capabilities
Because the Silverado 1500 offers so many body styles and powertrain options, towing and hauling capabilities vary from model to model but with the right configuration, these full-size trucks can tow up to 13,300 pounds. Similarly, the right Silverado model can haul max payloads of 2,280 pounds.
- Max towing: 13,300 pounds
- Max payloads: 2,280 pounds
- Max available cargo: 89.1 cubic feet
Exterior Features
Thanks to its imposing stance and rugged design, there’s no mistaking the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This full-size truck was meant for heavy lifting, but it also has a stylish side, with a list of exterior upgrades that includes flashy chrome trim and big, attention-seeking wheels. Other exterior features are meant to upgrade off-road performance, including all-terrain tires.
Standard:
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Locking tailgate
Optional:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- 20-inch aluminum wheels
- All-terrain tires
- LED headlights
- LED fog lights
- Body-colored trim
- Power, heated mirrors
- Chrome exterior trim
- Power-sliding rear window
Exterior colors:
- Cherry Red Tintcoat
- Mosaic Black Metallic
- Red Hot
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Northsky Blue Metallic
- Silver Ice Metallic
- Summit White
- Black
- Shadow Gray Metallic
- Oxford Brown Metallic
Body Styles and Truck Bed Configurations
The Silverado offers three cabin options: the two-door regular cab, four-door extended Double Cab, and four-door Crew Cab. The Double Cab features full-size front doors and smaller, rear-hinged back doors. Crew cab models feature four full-size doors.
Three Silverado bed sizes are available, the long 8-foot bed, mid-size 6.5-foot bed, and the short 5-foot-8-inch bed. Every bed comes standard with a locking tailgate, but you can also add convenience-boosting extras, like power-locking technology and LED cargo bed lighting.
Optional:
- LED cargo bed lighting
- Power-locking and power-release tailgate with assisted lift
- Spray-in bedliner
Interior Features
All three Silverado cabins are worthy options, with supportive seating throughout, and front-row passenger space is always abundant. However, the extended cabin’s rear jump seats don’t offer as much legroom as the crew cabin’s full-size rear bench seat so, if you’re looking for a roomy family hauler, the crew cabin is your best bet.
Take a tour of the Silverado 1500 trim levels, and you’ll find a wide range of luxury comfort features including everything from leather upholstery to heated and ventilated seats.
Standard:
- Air conditioning
- Power windows and door locks
- Vinyl seat upholstery
- Rubber floor covering
Optional:
- Bucket front seats with center console
- Cloth seat upholstery
- Floor carpeting
- Heated front seats
- Heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
Tech Features
Chevy’s full-size truck is as tech-savvy as it is capable. Every trim model comes standard with a smartphone-friendly infotainment system, which displays apps on its 7-inch touch screen via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Upgrades include a bigger, 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and you can also opt for a premium stereo system and a head-up display for a more luxurious tech experience.
Standard:
- 7-inch touch-screen infotainment interface
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- Bluetooth
- Six-speaker audio system
Optional:
- Remote engine start
- 8-inch touch-screen infotainment interface
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with wireless smartphone connectivity
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi modem
- Satellite radio capability
- Digital driver information display
- Navigation system
- Seven-speaker Bose premium audio system
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Head-up display
Safety and Security
Although most high-tech safety aids are optional, the Silverado 1500 does throw in a few standard goodies. First of all, every model comes with a rear view camera for extra visibility in a tight spot and Chevy’s Teen Driver system puts parents in control of speed limitations and geo fencing.
For extra safety, check out the list of options: an upgraded rear view camera with trailer hitch guidelines makes it that much easier to get on the road with your boat in tow. Driver aids, including forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning, help make sure you don’t miss a thing are also available.
Standard:
- Six airbags
- Daytime running lamps
- Rearview camera
- Electronic stability and traction control
- Tire pressure monitor
- Teen Driver system
Optional:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keeping assist
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Rearview camera with trailer hitch guidance lines
- Higher-definition backup camera
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning
- Trailer tire-pressure sensors
- Trailer rear view camera connections
- Perimeter lighting
- Rearview mirror with camera display
- 360-degree parking camera
- Bed-view camera
- Provisions for two trailer cameras
Fuel Economy
With so many body styles and powertrain configurations, the EPA had their work cut out for them with the 2021 Silverado 1500. As one might suspect, the turbo diesel engine helps the Silverado earn top ratings of up to 27 mpg combined (23 city/33 highway mpg). At the other end of the spectrum, there’s the four-wheel drive Trail Boss with the 4.3-liter V6 engine. This truck is rated for 16 mpg (14/18 mpg).
Silverado 1500 Trim Models
With eight trim models, the Silverado 1500 can be the perfect fit for a wide range of truck drivers; your Silverado truck can be an affordable workhorse, a luxury pickup, an off-road warrior, or a diesel-run powerhouse.
Work Truck (WT)
The entry-level Silverado 1500 offers trucking basics at a friendly price so with the WT, you’ll be cruising around with modern conveniences like power accessories and air conditioning. The standard infotainment system even includes a 7-inch touch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
- 4.3L V6 engine (285 hp, 305 lb.-ft.)
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Locking tailgate
- Air conditioning
- Power windows and door locks
- Vinyl seat upholstery
- Rubber floor covering
- 7-inch touch-screen infotainment interface
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
- Six-speaker audio system
Custom
The Silverado 1500 Custom is a bit flashier, inside and out; because of its 20-inch wheels and body-colored trim, the Custom is easy to spot. Inside, cloth seats and carpeted floors upgrade interior style and comfort. Also, this truck comes standard with the trailering package, which is good news for drivers with heavy toys to tow.
- 20-inch aluminum wheels
- Body-colored trim
- LED cargo bed lighting
- Remote engine start
- Power-locking and power-release tailgate with assisted lift
- Power heated mirrors
- Cloth seat upholstery
- Carpeted floors
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi modem
- Satellite radio capability
- Trailering package
- Rearview camera with hitch guidance lines
Custom Trail Boss
Like the name suggests, the Custom Trail Boss adds to the custom lineup with off-road-ready hardware. Choose this Silverado and you can split the difference between being stylish and adventurous.
- 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
- Four-wheel drive
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Z71 Off-Road Package
LT
The LT adds to the Custom lineup with extra luxury features. These include comfort-inducing items, like heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, and a heated steering wheel. The LT’s upscale lineup also adds a bigger touch-screen infotainment interface.
- 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 348 lb.-ft.)
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome exterior trim
- LED headlights
- Heated front seats
- Heated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- 10-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 8-inch touch-screen infotainment interface
RST
For drivers who appreciate sporty appearance, there’s the RST which adds to the LT features with bigger wheels and extra LED bulbs.
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- LED fog lights
- Body-colored exterior trim
LT Trail Boss
The LT Trail Boss improves off-road performance with heavy-duty hardware, including a larger engine to help you power through the underbrush.
- 5.3L V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb.-ft.)
- Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
- Heavy-duty battery
- Bucket front seats with center console
LTZ
The LTZ is a luxury truck that adds to the LT lineup with a long list of upgrades, including leather upholstery and a power tailgate.
- 5.3L V8 engine (355 hp, 383 lb.-ft.)
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Power tailgate
- Power-sliding rear window
- Leather upholstery
- Bucket front seats with center console
- 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto wireless smartphone connectivity
- Advanced Trailering System
- Trailer brake controller
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Higher-definition backup camera
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
High Country
At the top of the heap, you’ll find the Silverado High Country, a trim model that adds to the luxurious LTZ lineup with a number of high-end details.
- Digital driver information display
- Navigation
- Seven-speaker Bose premium audio system
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- Lane departure warning
- Spray-in bedliner
2021 Silverado 1500 Packages
Work Truck Value Package
- Power windows and door locks (Regular Cab models)
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate
- Tinted glass
- Power mirrors
- Rear-window defogger
- Trailering Package contents
Work Truck Convenience Package
- Power windows and door locks (Regular Cab models)
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate
- Tinted glass
- Power mirrors
- Rear-window defogger
Assist Step and Tonneau Value Package I
- Black work steps
- Premium soft roll-up tonneau cover
Assist Step and Tonneau Value Package II
- Tri-fold soft tonneau cover
- Chrome 4-inch round assist steps (Custom, LT, RST, LTZ trims) or Black 4-inch round assist steps (Custom, Custom Trail Boss, RST, LT Trail Boss trims)
Z71 Off-Road Package
- Z71 Off-Road suspension with Rancho twin tube shocks
- Hill descent control
- Skid plates
- Heavy-duty air filter
- Z71 hard badge (Work Truck, LT, RST, LTZ trims)
- Two-speed Auto-Trac Transfer case (Work Truck, LT, RST, LTZ trims)
- 18-inch all-terrain blackwall tires (LT, RST, LTZ trims)
- 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels (LT, RST trims)
- Locking differential (Work Truck, LT, RST trims)
- Dual exhaust (LT, RST, LTZ trims)
Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package
- 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels (LT, RST trims)
- 18-inch all-terrain blackwall tires (LT, RST trims)
- 20-inch all-terrain blackwall tires (LTZ trim)
- Z71 Off-Road suspension with Ranch twin tun shocks
- Hill descent control
- Skid plates
- Heavy-duty air filter
- All-weather floor liners with Z71 logo
- Protection Package contents (LT, RST trims)
- Chevytec spray-on bedliner (LTZ trim)
Snow Plow Prep Package
- Power feed to accommodate a backup and roof emergency light
- Single 220-amp alternator
- High-capacity air filter and auxiliary transmission oil cooler
- Heavy-duty front springs
- Under body skid plates to help protect the transfer case from debris
Dark Essentials Package
- Black Silverado and trim nameplates
- Front Black bowtie
- Black tailgate decal lettering
- Black engine badges (available with 6.2L V8 or 3.0L turbo diesel I6 engine)
Trailering Package
- Trailer hitch
- Trailering hitch platform
- 2-inch receiver hitch, 4-pin and 7-pin connectors
- 7-wire electrical harness and 7-pin sealed connector for connecting trailer lights and brakes
- Hitch Guidance
Liner Protection Package
- Rear wheelhouse liners
- All-weather floor liners
Chrome Package
- Chrome recovery hooks
- Polished exhaust tip
Work Truck Package
- Skid plates
- High-capacity air filter
Max Trailering Package
- Trailering Package contents
- Increased towing and GCWR
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Enhanced cooling radiator
- Revised shock tuning
- Heavier duty rear springs and increased RGAWR
- 9.76-inch rear axle
- 3.42 axle ratio
- Trailer brake controller
Custom Max Trailering Package
- 3.73 axle ratio
- Power-adjustable vertical trailering mirrors
- 6-inch Chrome rectangular wheel-to-wheel assist steps (Crew Cab models)
- Chevytec spray-on bedliner
- Rubber bed mat
- Tiered storage
- Wheelhouse liners
- Tri-fold hard tonneau cover
- Cargo tie-down rings
- Cloth rear seat with Storage Package contents
- All-weather floor liners
Rally Edition (Custom)
- 20-inch Black painted aluminum wheels
- Black Silverado and trim nameplates
- Black CHEVROLET tailgate lettering
- Black rally stripes for hood and tailgate
- Black assist steps
- Chevytec spray-on bedliner
- Black bow ties on steering wheel horn pad and front grille
- Black chrome exhaust tip
Rally Edition (RST)
- 22-inch High Gloss Black wheels
- Black Silverado and trim nameplates
- Black CHEVROLET tailgate lettering
- Black rally stripes for hood and tailgate
- Black assist steps
- Bed Protection Package contents
- Black hood badging (with 6.2L V8 engine)
- Black Chrome exhaust tip (2.7L turbo engine)
- Black dual exhaust tips (5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 engine)
Performance Upgrade Package
- Performance air intake system
- Cat-Black performance exhaust
Midnight Edition (Custom Trail Boss)
- Black Silverado badging
- Black trim level badging
- Black dual exhaust tips
- Chevytec spray-on bedliner
- Silver-Hammer interior trim
- All-weather floor liners with Z71 logo
Midnight Edition (LT Trail Boss)
- Black Silverado badging
- Black trim level badging
- Black dual exhaust tips
- Bed Protection Package contents
- High-intensity LED reflector headlamps with dark bezel
Diesel Off-Road Package
- 3.73 rear axle ratio
- 18-inch LT275/65R18C MT Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac blackwall tires
- Tri-fold hard tonneau cover
- 6-inch Chrome assist steps (Crew Cab models)
Convenience Package II
- Universal home remote
- Rear sliding power window
- 120-volt power outlet in instrument panel
- 120-volt bed-mounted power outlet
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System with 8-inch color HD touch screen
- Two USB ports
- SiriusXM with 360L trial subscription
- HD Radio
- HD Rear Vision Camera
- Rear Seat Storage Package (LT models with Crew Cab)
- Seven-speaker Bose premium sound system with subwoofer (RST, LT Trail Boss trims)
All Star Edition Plus
- 20-inch aluminum wheels with Argent Metallic pockets
- Convenience Package II contents
Texas Edition Plus
- 20-inch aluminum wheels with Argent Metallic pockets
- Convenience Package II contents
- Texas Edition badging
Safety Package
- Front and Rear Park Assist
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Perimeter Lighting
Safety Package II
- Safety Package contents
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane keeping assist
Technology Package
- Head-up display
- Rearview mirror with camera display
- 360-degree parking camera
- Bed-view camera
- Provisions for two trailer cameras
Leather Package
- Front leather appointed seats
- Up-level Rear Seat with Storage Package (Crew Cab models)
Bed Protection Package
- Chevytec spray-on bedliner
- Rear wheelhouse liners
Chevrolet Warranty
No matter which of the many trim models or options you select, your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will come standard with the same impressive warranty coverage. This full-size truck is built for dependable performance, but if something goes wrong under the warranty, all you have to do is take it back to the dealership for repairs.
- 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
- 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain limited warranty
What Comes Next for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The 2021 model is part of the fourth-generation Silverado 1500, a full-size truck introduced for the 2019 model year. While we don’t expect a full redesign just yet, Chevy has hinted at some major updates for the 2022 model year.
Spy shots suggest a few exterior styling tweaks, but most of the updates will be found inside this Silverado 1500. The upcoming interior upgrades aim to make this Chevy pickup even more luxurious. We’re also expecting big things in terms of on-road technology, including Chevy’s upcoming semi-autonomous driving system.
Chevy has yet to announce the details of this mid-cycle refresh, but you’ll be the first to know when we learn more!