Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.81% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,669 listings available, which suggests you should have a healthy range of trucks to compare.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 5.5/10 expert rating. The model scores 7/10 across Performance and Form and function.

Owners consistently praise the comfortable ride, spacious interior, and strong performance, especially with the diesel engine options. They also appreciate the smooth shifting of the 10-speed transmission and the truck’s overall comfort. On the other hand, the interior quality and sound system draw some criticism.

The Silverado is framed as a full-size pickup that works well for work, daily driving, or something in between, and the available Duramax turbodiesel is singled out as the one to buy unless maximum towing and payload are your priority. Even so, the truck’s interior materials feel cheap and its fuel economy is poor.

With 34.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a truck that feels comfortable, strong, and generally dependable over time, with praise centered on the diesel powertrain, smooth shifting, and everyday livability. The expert review also describes it as fundamentally sound, and the Duramax turbodiesel is presented as a value-minded choice thanks to its efficiency and lower cost versus diesel options in rival trucks.

Chevrolet also notes that the Duramax pairs with a flawless 10-speed automatic transmission, which supports confidence in day-to-day use. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the truck’s weak points are more about refinement and safety than outright durability.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any truck you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin condition, suspension behavior, and how the truck drives over rough pavement. Pay close attention to whether the equipment level matches what you expect, since feature content varies widely by trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Silverado comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, and the base WT trim has smaller infotainment screens. Higher trims add more equipment, but the cabin quality still trails the truck’s exterior appeal.
• Powertrain: You get six different engines with six-, eight-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. The available Duramax turbodiesel is the standout recommendation for buyers who want efficiency and smooth acceleration, while the 6.2-liter V8 is the choice for maximum towing.
• Safety package: Chevrolet offers forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat are available, but stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance are not.
• Infotainment: The Silverado uses Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included on the LTZ test truck.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving in testing and was rated at 24 mpg combined by EPA figures mentioned in the review.

Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• WT: This is the work-focused starting point, but it gets the smaller infotainment setup and fewer comfort and convenience features than the higher trims.
• Custom: This is a step up if you want a little more everyday usability without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it balances equipment, usability, and broader appeal.
• RST: Choose this if you want a more style-focused version with a distinctive appearance.
• Custom Trail Boss: This is the better pick if you want the off-road-oriented setup and the added capability that comes with it.
• LT Trail Boss: This is the stronger choice if you want the Trail Boss character with more equipment than the lower off-road trim.
• LTZ: This is the luxury-leaning choice, and the test truck shows how much more polished it can feel with the larger screen and added tech.
• High Country: This is the top-end trim for shoppers who want the most upscale presentation and equipment.

The safety package is broad, but some advanced features remain optional rather than standard.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,669 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.81% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,494, 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 $30,494 sits slightly below last year's $33,440.

That price movement suggests the truck has softened enough to create a more buyer-friendly entry point today. For a future seller, that means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than broad market momentum alone. If you buy well and keep the truck clean and well maintained, you should be in a better position to limit depreciation pressure.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, 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 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 standard or optional equipment. The truck also offers a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification through a paid subscription, and a rear-seat reminder system on crew cabs. Teen Driver safety technology is standard and free.

Upgrades include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to get the driver’s attention. The review also notes that stop-and-go capability is missing from adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance is not available.

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:

• 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.81% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Brand loyalty and big rebates help keep this truck moving, even though it still needs more attention to detail.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,034, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,494 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel, broader powertrain availability, and more camera-based tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,757, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,494 average.
• It brings a new interior starting with LT and adds the Silverado ZR2 off-road performance model.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price and availability, the 2021 is the sensible middle ground. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is the better move if you want the newer cabin and added updates.

How does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 compare to the 2021 Ford F-150?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Multiple body styles, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Poor fuel economy.

2021 Ford F-150:

• Pros: Multiple body styles, Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.5/10 and the 2021 Ford F-150 7.8/10. The Silverado’s strengths are its broad configuration range and easy-to-use tech, while the F-150 gets the edge for overall expert score and stronger technology. Both trucks have interior-material complaints, but the Ford also brings better fuel economy and a more competitive safety setup.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.