Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for Sale nearMadison, WI

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.45% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,611 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability for shoppers comparing trims and configurations.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a 4.62/5 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, strong performance, and the smooth shifting of the 10-speed transmission. The Silverado also stands out for its multiple powertrain choices, multiple body styles, and easy-to-use technology, which makes it appealing if you want a truck that can be configured for different jobs and preferences.

The trade-offs are clear: the interior materials feel cheap, and fuel economy is poor. Even so, the Silverado remains a fundamentally sound truck for buyers who value capability and flexibility over cabin polish.

With 31.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some 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 points to a truck that feels dependable in daily use, with praise for the comfortable ride, strong performance, and smooth power delivery. Reviewers also highlight the diesel engine options as a strength, which reinforces the sense that this Silverado can be counted on for broad, everyday usefulness.

The expert evaluation also describes it as a fundamentally sound truck, which supports the idea that it should hold up well if you choose a well-kept example. If you buy used, your biggest long-term ownership risk is ending up with a truck that has been worked hard or maintained poorly, so condition matters more than mileage alone.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every truck you consider, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has towing, hauling, or off-road use in its past. Focus on overall condition, because the Silverado’s value depends heavily on how well the previous owner treated the cabin, suspension, and drivetrain.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Silverado comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, and the cabin quality is a weak point even on higher trims. Base-trim trucks can feel especially sparse, while better-equipped versions add more comfort and convenience.
• Powertrain: You have six engines available, along with six-, eight-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. The Duramax turbodiesel is the standout value choice if you want strong efficiency and smooth power, while the 6.2-liter V8 is the pick for maximum towing.
• 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. Upgrades include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat, but stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering 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 wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the 8-inch system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving in testing, and its EPA combined rating is 24 mpg.

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 starting point, and it makes sense if you want the Silverado’s core capability with the fewest extras.
• Custom: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a little more everyday appeal without moving far up the price ladder.
• Custom Trail Boss: Choose this if you want a more rugged setup and the off-road-oriented character that comes with the Trail Boss treatment.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it balances equipment, usability, and broader appeal without pushing into luxury pricing.
• RST: Pick this if you want a more style-focused truck with a sportier appearance.
• LT Trail Boss: This is the better choice if you want more off-road capability and a stronger suspension setup than the lower trims.
• LTZ: This is the comfort-and-tech trim, and it suits you if you want a more upscale cabin and more available equipment.
• High Country: This is the top-end choice if you want the most premium Silverado experience and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is available across the lineup, but the truck’s crash-test results and feature gaps mean you should still compare trims carefully rather than assuming higher price equals better protection.

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 and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,611 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.45% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,053, 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 $31,053 sits slightly below last year's $33,919.

That price movement suggests the Silverado has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. If the market continues to favor shoppers, your best protection is choosing a clean, well-equipped truck with strong demand features rather than paying extra for cosmetic upgrades alone.

Because the Silverado still draws broad buyer interest, especially from shoppers who want multiple powertrain and body-style choices, it should remain reasonably liquid in the used market. 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 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. The main caveats are the weak IIHS passenger-protection result and the absence of stop-and-go capability for 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:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.45% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Duramax turbodiesel is the standout value choice if you want efficiency and smooth power.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,385, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,053 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel, more powertrain availability, and a camera-based adaptive cruise system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,420, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,053 average.
• It brings a new interior starting with LT and a new ZR2 off-road performance model.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the safer default. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while still giving you many of the same core strengths. If you want a more modern cabin and can spend more, the 2022 is the better upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.