2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — Used Buying Guide
5 years old · used value range $18,347 – $27,755 · max towing 13,300 lb · max payload 2,280 lb
The 2021 Silverado 1500 at a glance
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a 5-year-old used pickup that originally listed at approximately $50,000 for a base configuration. After 5 years of ownership-cycle depreciation, fair market value for typical-mileage examples lands between $18,347 and $27,755, with low-mileage clean-title trucks pushing toward the upper bound and higher-mileage or salvage-history trucks anchoring the lower bound.
The Silverado 1500 at this model year was built on the Chevrolet light-duty platform and offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Maximum trailer towing capability for this year is 13,300 lb when properly equipped (typically requires the optional max tow package and the right axle ratio); maximum payload is 2,280 lb in the lightest cab/bed/drivetrain combination.
Available engines for 2021
| Powertrain | 4.3L V6 |
| Powertrain | 2.7L Turbo I4 (310 hp) |
| Powertrain | 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp) |
| Powertrain | 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp) |
| Powertrain | 3.0L Duramax I6 Diesel (277 hp / 460 lb-ft) |
Configuration options
| Cab options | Crew Cab · Extended Cab · Regular Cab |
| Bed options | 5'7" Short · 6'5" Standard · 8'0" Long |
| Available trims | WT, Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, High Country, Trail Boss, ZR2 |
| Max towing capacity | 13,300 lb (properly equipped) |
| Max payload capacity | 2,280 lb |
EPA fuel economy ranges for this model year
| Powertrain class | City mpg | Highway mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline V6 | 16 | 23 |
| Gasoline V8 | 13 | 20 |
| Diesel | 23 | 30 |
Common issues for the 2021 Silverado 1500
- AFM/DFM cylinder-deactivation lifter failures on 5.3L and 6.2L V8s — verify TSB updates
- 8-speed transmission harsh shifts on 2015–2017 trucks
- Brake-pedal feel inconsistency
- Aluminum hood corrosion at the leading edge on early T1XX trucks
- Door-handle corrosion on Salt Belt trucks
Service history matters more on this model year than mileage alone. A 2021 Silverado 1500 with documented oil changes, transmission services performed at the recommended interval, and any open recalls completed is worth meaningfully more than an undocumented truck of the same mileage. Ask the seller for the maintenance binder; if it does not exist, ask the local Chevrolet dealership to pull the VIN history before you commit to a price.
2021 Silverado 1500 listings on TruckLot
| Trim & Body | Miles | Price | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTZ Regular Cab |
47,399 mi | $23,521 | Columbia, South Carolina |
| LTZ Regular Cab |
76,580 mi | $20,228 | Kenosha, Wisconsin |
| RST Extended Cab |
47,834 mi | $24,462 | Roswell, New Mexico |
Should you buy a 2021 Silverado 1500 right now?
The honest answer depends on three variables: how the truck was used, what powertrain it has, and what comparable competitors are listed for in your state. A 2021 Silverado 1500 with a clean service history, the volume powertrain (avoid first-year-of-production engines unless you have done your homework), and a price near the middle of the $18,347–$27,755 range is usually a sound buy.
If you are cross-shopping the same model year against competitors, our comparison guides work through the trade-offs with real numbers. Diesel premium, towing differences, payload differences, and depreciation curves are all spelled out so you can decide whether the $3,000–$8,000 difference between similar trucks is justified for your use case.