Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,715 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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 commonly praise the comfortable ride, spacious interior, strong performance, and the diesel engine options. Many also like the smooth shifting from the 10-speed transmission.

The trade-offs are the cheap-feeling interior materials and the disappointing sound system.

For your use case, this is a truck that fits work, daily driving, or something in between, especially if you want broad configurability and easy-to-use tech.

Good and great deals account for 33.9% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

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

User feedback points to a truck that feels dependable, with owners highlighting strong performance, a comfortable ride, and a spacious cabin. The diesel engine options and smooth 10-speed transmission also reinforce the sense that this is a truck you can count on.

The expert evaluation also describes it as a fundamentally sound truck, which supports the idea that it should hold up well in regular use.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about basic durability and more about living with the truck’s weaker interior quality and overall refinement.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — 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. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if the truck has been used for towing, hauling, or off-road driving. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and whether the truck’s equipment matches the way you plan to use it.

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 better-equipped versions. Base-trim trucks also miss some of the richer equipment and presentation you’ll find higher up the lineup.
• Powertrain: You have six engines to choose from, including the available Duramax turbodiesel. The diesel is praised for smooth acceleration and strong efficiency, while the 6.2-liter V8 is the better choice if maximum towing matters.
• 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 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 setup.
• 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 first step up if you want a little more everyday appeal while staying relatively budget-conscious.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it balances equipment, usability, and broader appeal without pushing too far up the price ladder.
• RST: Choose this if you want a more style-forward version with a stronger visual presence.
• Custom Trail Boss: This is the better pick if you want the off-road-oriented setup and the added hardware that comes with it.
• LTZ: This is the upscale comfort choice, especially if you want more premium features and a richer tech experience.
• LT Trail Boss: This is the more rugged, better-equipped off-road option for buyers who want capability and a higher feature set.
• High Country: This is the top-end luxury-oriented trim for buyers who want the most upscale Silverado experience.

The safety package is available across the lineup, 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, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right truck.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,715 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,873, 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 $30,873 sits slightly below last year's $33,695.

That decline suggests the truck has become more affordable for buyers, which can make it a tougher environment for sellers trying to hold firm on price. If you plan to sell later, you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment mix.

The Silverado’s broad appeal helps, but the softer market trend means you may need to price competitively to attract attention. Trucks with desirable powertrains and cleaner histories should still draw stronger interest than average.

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 Poor headlight rating.

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 as standard or optional equipment. The truck also offers a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification through a paid connected-services 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 your attention. The main caveat is that stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance are 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:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The available Duramax turbodiesel is the standout choice if you want efficiency and smooth torque.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,270, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,873 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel, broader powertrain availability, and more camera tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,096, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,873 average.
• It brings a new interior starting with LT and adds the Silverado ZR2.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and the useful Duramax diesel, the 2021 is the smart middle ground. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the value play. If you care most about a fresher cabin and newer hardware, it makes sense to stretch to the 2022.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.