Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for Sale near California

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.21% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,590 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and configurations.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?

Yes — with a 4.62/5 user rating and a 5.5/10 expert rating, it lands as a broadly appealing full-size pickup with clear strengths and a few familiar compromises. The model scores 7/10 across Performance and Form and function.

Owners consistently praise the comfortable ride, spacious interior, strong performance, and the smooth shifting of the 10-speed transmission. The truck also stands out for its multiple powertrain choices, multiple body styles, and easy-to-use technology, which makes it flexible for work, family use, or everyday driving.

The trade-offs are just as clear: the interior materials feel cheap, and fuel economy is poor. In practical terms, you’re looking at a truck that fits buyers who want broad configurability and straightforward operation, while the market still shows 31.6% good or great deals available.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.62/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a truck people tend to trust over time, with repeated praise for the comfortable ride, strong performance, and smooth 10-speed transmission. That kind of feedback usually matters most when you’re trying to judge whether a used truck will feel dependable after the first owner’s honeymoon period.

The expert review also describes it as a fundamentally sound truck, which reinforces the idea that the Silverado’s core mechanical package is solid even if some details lag behind rivals. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about basic capability and more about living with the truck’s weaker interior quality and efficiency.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any truck you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. After that, prioritize a close inspection of the cabin, electronics, and suspension behavior, since the Silverado’s strengths are tied to configuration and drivability rather than premium interior feel. It also makes sense to focus on how the truck was used, because condition matters a lot when you’re shopping a full-size pickup.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Silverado comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, with each trim carrying a distinctive appearance. The cabin quality is a weak point, with glossy plastic, large panel gaps, and small infotainment screens that make the interior feel dated, so base-trim shoppers should pay close attention to feature content and cabin finish.
• Powertrain: You have six engines available, along with six-speed, eight-speed, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. The Duramax turbodiesel is the standout efficiency choice, while the 6.2-liter V8 is the pick if maximum towing capability matters more to you.
• Safety package: Chevrolet offers forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert for every Silverado as either standard or optional equipment. The truck also offers adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat driver’s seat, but stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance are not available.
• Infotainment: The Silverado uses Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard, and the system adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the LTZ test truck, along with an 8-inch HD display, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, and wireless smartphone charging.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving in testing, against a 24-mpg EPA combined rating.

Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is offered in 8 trim levels: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.

Here's the short version:

• WT: This is the work-focused entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Silverado’s core capability without paying for extra comfort or tech. It’s the trim most likely to feel stripped down, so it suits buyers who care more about utility than cabin polish.
• Custom: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a little more everyday appeal without moving far up the price ladder. It should be the trim to compare closely if you want the best balance of affordability and basic convenience.
• Custom Trail Boss: Choose this if you want a more rugged-looking truck with a stronger off-road attitude than the standard trims. It’s for buyers who want the Trail Boss character without jumping all the way to the upper end of the lineup.
• LT: This is the trim where the Silverado starts to feel more complete for most shoppers, especially if you want a better mix of equipment and usability. It’s the best-value trim for many buyers because it sits in the sweet spot between price and content.
• RST: Pick this if you want a more style-forward Silverado with a sportier appearance. It’s a good fit if visual appeal matters as much as day-to-day usefulness.
• LT Trail Boss: This is the more capable-looking off-road-oriented choice if you want the Trail Boss formula with more equipment than the lower versions. It suits buyers who want a tougher setup without going to the top trims.
• LTZ: This is the upscale choice if you want more comfort and a richer feature set, including the larger 8-inch HD display and available premium tech. It’s the right pick if you want a more polished Silverado experience.
• High Country: This is the top-end luxury-oriented trim for buyers who want the most premium version of the Silverado lineup. It makes the most sense if you want the highest-content truck and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is available across the lineup, but the truck still lacks stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,590 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.21% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,340, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's resale value?

The current average of $31,340 sits slightly below last year's $34,143.

That price movement suggests the Silverado has become more approachable for buyers, which can help keep demand steady in the near term. For a future seller, that means you may not get the same pricing power you would have a year ago, but you’re also buying into a market where shoppers are still actively looking.

The truck’s broad appeal, multiple configurations, and strong owner satisfaction should help support resale interest. Even so, the softer pricing trend means your eventual return will depend heavily on trim, condition, mileage, and how well the truck has been maintained.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.62/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safe?

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a Marginal rating from IIHS for front passenger protection and a Poor headlight rating.

It earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star frontal-impact results for the driver and front passenger.

It earns a 3/10 safety score from our experts.

Chevrolet offers forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert for every Silverado as either standard or optional equipment. The truck also offers a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification through a paid subscription to connected services, and, with crew cabs, a rear-seat reminder system. Teen Driver safety technology is standard and free.

Upgrades include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat driver’s seat. Part of an optional Safety Package, it vibrates to get the driver’s attention. The main caveat is that the Silverado’s crash-test results are weaker than you’d want in a modern full-size pickup, especially for front passenger protection and headlights.

Should I buy a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.21% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It offers broad configuration choice, easy-to-use tech, and the affordable Duramax diesel.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,601, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,340 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel, more powertrain availability, and a camera-based adaptive cruise system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,754, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,340 average.
• It brings a new interior starting with LT and adds the Silverado ZR2.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of price, inventory, and broad usability, the 2021 is the sensible middle ground. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want a more modern cabin and can spend more, the 2022 is the stronger upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.