Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for Sale near Iowa

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.17% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,503 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare trims, powertrains, and condition. If you find a listing below $31,477.23, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a 4.62/5 user rating, and its expert rating is 5.5/10. The model scores 7/10 across Performance and Form and function.

Owners consistently praise the comfortable ride, spacious interiors, and strong performance, especially with the diesel engine options. Many also like the smooth shifting from the 10-speed transmission. On the downside, reviewers point to interior quality and the sound system as areas that could be better.

That lines up with the truck’s broader appeal: it’s a flexible full-size pickup with multiple powertrain choices and body styles, plus technology that’s easy to use. The trade-off is that it still asks you to accept some rough edges in cabin quality and fuel economy.

With 31.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to a truck that many drivers trust for daily use, with praise for comfortable ride quality, spaciousness, and strong performance. The diesel engine options and smooth-shifting transmission come up as especially dependable-feeling strengths.

The truck’s powertrain lineup also supports that impression, with the Duramax turbodiesel described as smooth and seamless once it gets going. Chevrolet also pairs it with a flawless 10-speed automatic transmission.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a truck with this much capability can hide wear, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any truck you’re considering, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has been used for towing, hauling, or off-road driving. Focus on cabin condition, suspension behavior, and signs of hard use, since the Silverado’s strengths depend heavily on how it was equipped and maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Silverado comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight different trim levels, and the cabin quality can feel dated even on higher trims. Base-trim trucks also miss some of the richer equipment and polish you may want.
• Powertrain: You get six different engines with six-, eight-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. The Duramax turbodiesel stands out for its smooth acceleration, strong torque, and efficiency, 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 7-inch and 8-inch screens, and the 8-inch HD display brings quicker response, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth for two smartphones, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, wireless charging, and a Bose premium audio system on better-equipped trucks.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving during testing and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• WT: This is the work-focused starting point, and it makes sense if you want the Silverado’s core capability without paying for extra comfort or tech.
• Custom: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a little more everyday appeal while staying close to the entry price.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it balances equipment, usability, and broader access to the Silverado’s strengths.
• RST: Choose this if you want a more style-forward truck with a stronger visual presence.
• Custom Trail Boss: This is the better pick if you want a more rugged setup and off-road-oriented hardware.
• LTZ: This suits you if you want a more upscale cabin and more available technology, but you should still expect some interior shortcomings.
• LT Trail Boss: Pick this if you want a more capable off-road setup with a higher-end feature mix than the lower rugged trims.
• High Country: This is the top-end choice if you want the most premium Silverado experience available in this lineup.

The safety package is broad, but some advanced features remain optional rather than standard, so check each truck carefully.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,503 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.17% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,477.23, 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 $31,466 sits slightly below last year's $34,265.

That price movement suggests the truck has already absorbed some of its recent market softness, which can help future sellers if values stabilize. If you buy well now, you may have less downside risk than someone who bought when prices were higher.

The Silverado’s broad appeal, strong brand loyalty, and high owner satisfaction can help support demand later. Trucks with flexible configurations and popular diesel options often stay relevant with used buyers.

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 Silverado earns a Marginal IIHS rating for front passenger protection in a small-overlap frontal crash, and its NHTSA results include an overall four-star rating 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. The available Safety Package adds the vibrating seat alert. The main caveats are the weak IIHS passenger result, the poor headlight rating, and the lack of stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

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:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.17% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It offers a flexible lineup with multiple powertrains, body styles, and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,720, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,466 average.
• It adds a turbodiesel, more powertrain availability, and useful camera updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,935, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,466 average.
• It brings a new interior starting with LT and adds the ZR2 off-road performance model.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, selection, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 gives you a lower entry point with many of the same core strengths. If you want the newer cabin updates and can spend more, the 2022 is the better long-term pick.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.