How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 7.77% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,581 listings available, which suggests you should have a decent range of choices.

If you find a listing below $31,621.10, 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 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. Many also like the power and smooth shifting from the 10-speed transmission. At the same time, some reviewers call out the interior quality and sound system as weaker points.

That lines up with the truck’s use case: you’re getting a versatile full-size pickup with broad configuration choices and serious towing-and-hauling appeal, but not the most polished cabin in the segment.

With 31.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers 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.

Reviewers describe the truck as strong, comfortable, and generally dependable, with many highlighting the diesel engine options and smooth 10-speed transmission. The ownership experience also reads as one you can count on for everyday truck duties, especially if you value capability and ride comfort.

The expert evaluation also points to a fundamentally sound truck with solid mechanical appeal, especially when equipped with the Duramax diesel. Chevrolet’s first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the truck’s strengths can be offset by cabin-quality and refinement concerns if you buy without a careful inspection.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.6% — 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. Prioritize an inspection of the cabin, electronics, and suspension, since condition can vary a lot on used pickups. Focus on how the truck was used, because towing, hauling, and off-road driving can leave different kinds of wear.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The truck comes in multiple cab styles, bed lengths, and trim levels, and the base setup can feel sparse compared with higher trims. The cabin materials and small infotainment screens are also weaker points to watch.
• Powertrain: You get multiple engine choices, including the Duramax turbodiesel and a 6.2-liter V8. The diesel stands out for efficiency and smooth acceleration, while the V8 is the better pick if maximum towing matters more than fuel economy.
• Safety package: Chevrolet offers forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification, and Teen Driver technology. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat are available, but stop-and-go adaptive cruise and lane-centering are not.
• Infotainment: The Silverado uses 7-inch and 8-inch screens, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto standard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on higher trims, along with navigation, wireless charging, and an available 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving in testing and is rated at 24 mpg combined. The diesel is the efficiency standout, while the gas V8 is the thirstier choice.

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 cabin and feature set are where you’ll feel the biggest compromises.
• Sweet-spot trim: LT is the best all-around pick if you want a better balance of equipment, usability, and value without jumping to luxury pricing.
• Premium/top trim: High Country is the most upscale choice if you want the richest feature set and a more premium feel.
• Off-road trim: LT Trail Boss is the one to consider if you want the off-road hardware, but it’s not the best fit if you mainly drive on pavement.

The safety package is available across the lineup, but some of the more advanced driver-assistance features remain optional rather than standard.

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 without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,581 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.77% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,621.10, 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 $31,795 sits slightly below last year's $34,474.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy with less risk of immediate overpaying. If you plan to resell later, the softer current pricing may limit upside unless the truck is especially well equipped or exceptionally clean. Strong condition and desirable powertrains should matter more than ever if you want to protect value.

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?

In crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Silverado earns a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in a small-overlap frontal-impact collision. It also 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, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification, and Teen Driver technology. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat are available, but stop-and-go adaptive cruise and lane-centering are not.

The weak crash-test results are the main caution here, so safety-minded used buyers should pay close attention to equipment and history.

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 78.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.77% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The Duramax diesel stands out for efficiency and smooth, effortless torque.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $29,137, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,795 average.
• It offers a similar full-size truck formula with strong versatility and a lower entry price.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,285, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,795 average.
• It brings a refreshed interior starting with the LT trim and a more modern cabin feel.

The bottom line: You should buy the 2021 if you want a capable Silverado with broad configuration choices and a softer used-market price than newer models. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want a more modern interior and can spend more, the 2022 is the stronger upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.