Used 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,690 listings available, which suggests you have meaningful inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns a 4.6/5 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. They also appreciate the power and smooth shifting of the 10-speed transmission. On the downside, some owners point to the interior quality and sound system as areas that could be better.

That lines up with the overview: you’re looking at a full-size pickup that works well for work, daily driving, or something in between, but it still leaves room for improvement in the cabin and efficiency. Good and great deals account for 31.2% of listings, so there’s some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a truck people tend to trust for comfortable driving, strong performance, and a smooth-shifting transmission. It also highlights the diesel engine options as a strength, which reinforces the sense that this truck can be counted on for everyday use.

The expert review adds that the Silverado is fundamentally sound and that the Duramax turbodiesel is a standout value. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the truck’s weaker interior quality and uneven attention to detail may show up over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.4% — 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 a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin, electronics, and suspension behavior, since those are the areas where this model can feel less polished. Focus on overall condition and equipment fit, especially if you want a truck that will hold up well as a daily driver.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Silverado comes in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, and the base setup can feel sparse compared with higher trims. The cabin quality also matters here, since the interior is described as lacking finesse.
• 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 choice for maximum towing.
• Safety package: Chevrolet offers forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat available on higher equipment. Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance are not offered.
• Infotainment: The Silverado uses Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available on the 8-inch setup, and the truck can offer a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot through a paid subscription.
• Fuel efficiency: The Duramax turbodiesel returned 22.6 mpg in combined driving in testing, and it is described as effortlessly fuel-efficient.

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, High Country, and Z71 Off-Road Package.

Here's the short version:

• WT: This is the work-focused starting point, but it’s the most basic way into the lineup and won’t feel as polished or well-equipped as the higher trims.
• Custom: A step up if you want a little more everyday usability without moving too far up the price ladder.
• LT: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it balances equipment, usability, and broader appeal without pushing into luxury pricing.
• 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 look and off-road-oriented setup from the factory.
• LTZ: This is the sweet spot for shoppers who want a more upscale feel, stronger tech, and a more premium cabin experience.
• High Country: Pick this if you want the most upscale Silverado experience and are willing to pay for it.
• Z71 Off-Road Package: This is the one to buy if you want the improved suspension tuning and off-road hardware described in the review.

The safety content also notes that Chevrolet offers a broad set of driver-assistance features, but some of the more advanced items remain optional rather than standard.

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 and still find decent options.

• Deal availability: 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,690 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.49% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,675, 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 $30,675 sits slightly below last year's $33,522.

That price movement suggests the Silverado has softened enough to give used buyers more leverage today, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation pain later. Trucks with broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction tend to stay easier to move when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 safe?

The Silverado earns a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in an IIHS small-overlap frontal crash, and NHTSA gives it 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 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 a rear-seat reminder system with 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:

• 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.49% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Brand loyalty and big rebates help keep this truck moving, even though it still needs more attention to detail.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,100, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $30,675 average.
• It adds a new turbodiesel, broader powertrain availability, and more camera tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,883, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $30,675 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 and selection, the 2021 is the sensible middle ground. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is the better pick if you want the refreshed cabin and newer features.

How does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 compare to the 2021 Ford F-150?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Multiple body styles, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Poor fuel economy.

2021 Ford F-150:

• Pros: Multiple body styles, Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.5/10 and the 2021 Ford F-150 7.8/10. The Silverado matches the Ford on flexibility, but the F-150 comes out ahead on overall expert score and technology. The Silverado’s easy-to-use tech is a strength, while its cheap-feeling interior and poor fuel economy hold it back. If you want the stronger all-around package, the F-150 is the better bet; if you value the Silverado’s powertrain variety and familiar usability, it still makes sense to shop.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.