How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 7.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,498 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability.

If you find a listing below $31,623.63, 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 a 5.5/10 expert rating.

The owner feedback points to a comfortable ride, spacious interiors, and strong performance, especially with the diesel engine options. Drivers also appreciate the power and smooth shifting of the 10-speed transmission. In practical terms, that lines up well with a truck aimed at buyers who want versatility, towing ability, and everyday comfort.

The trade-offs are the interior quality and sound system, which some reviewers felt could be better. The expert review also notes that the cabin feels dated and that the truck needs more attention to detail. Even so, the Silverado’s broad configuration range makes it easy to match to your needs, and 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

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

The owner summary also points to a truck that many drivers feel good about living with over time, especially because of its comfortable ride and strong performance. The diesel powertrain adds to that impression with smooth operation and strong efficiency, while the expert review describes the truck as fundamentally sound. Chevrolet also includes a 10-speed automatic transmission with the Duramax diesel, which supports a polished driving experience.

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

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin, suspension, and any signs of hard use. Pay close attention to how the truck was equipped, since feature content varies widely by trim and configuration.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The truck comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, with a wide spread in appearance and equipment. Base versions can feel sparse, and the cabin quality is a weak point compared with rivals.
• Powertrain: Six engines are available, including the Duramax turbodiesel, which is praised for efficiency and smooth acceleration. The 6.2-liter V8 is the choice for maximum towing, while the diesel is the value play for efficiency-minded buyers.
• 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 adaptive cruise control and lane-centering are not.
• Infotainment: The Silverado uses 7-inch and 8-inch screens, with quick response times and standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on higher trims, along with navigation, wireless charging, and a premium Bose audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving during testing and is rated at 24 mpg combined by EPA figures cited in the review.

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:

• Base trim: WT is the most stripped-down choice, and the review makes clear that the cabin quality and smaller screens are not where this truck shines.
• Sweet-spot trim: LTZ is the strongest all-around pick if you want a more complete feature set, including the larger 8-inch HD display, wireless smartphone integration, navigation, and a more upscale equipment mix.
• Premium/top trim: High Country is the top-end choice if you want the most luxury-oriented presentation, but the review still suggests the cabin does not feel truly premium.
• Off-road trim: LT Trail Boss is the better daily-driver-friendly off-road choice than the more extreme setups, especially if you want the suspension benefits without going all-in on trail use.

The safety package adds useful driver-assistance features, but the truck still has notable crash-test shortcomings.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,498 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,623.63, 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 $31,913 sits slightly below last year's $34,514.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point. For a future seller, it also means there may be less room for appreciation unless the truck is especially well equipped or exceptionally clean. Strong condition, desirable powertrains, and a clean history should matter more when you eventually resell.

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 headlights are rated Poor. It also earns four-star ratings from NHTSA overall, 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 Teen Driver safety technology as standard. Available upgrades include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat.

The main caveat is that the crash-test results are weaker than you want in a full-size pickup, especially for front passenger protection.

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:

• 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Duramax diesel stands out for efficiency and smooth torque delivery.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $29,190, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,913 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel and broader powertrain availability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,443, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,913 average.
• It brings a refreshed interior starting with the LT trim and a new ZR2 off-road model.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the sensible default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping much of the same core appeal. If you want the newer interior and can spend more, the 2022 is the better upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 7, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.