Looking to acquire a brand new Silverado? Now is the perfect time to head to your Chevy Silverado dealer to experience the capable lineup of Silverado light-duty and heavy-duty trucks. From the popular half-ton 1500 to the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 workhorse rigs, these trucks have stood the test of time, stalwartly holding their own against constant competition year after year.
Everyone has heard someone say “I’m a Chevy guy” when describing their favorite truck brand. Chevy truck owners are fiercely loyal, and those ties run deep. What fuels their devotion? It’s the assurance that comes from knowing you’re driving a capable and durable pickup that’s up for even the toughest, dirtiest jobs.
The profile of a typical full-size pickup truck buyer has evolved in recent years to include families looking for a weekend road trip vehicle and casual drivers who don’t necessarily need traditional truck capabilities like towing and hauling. This change is fueled partly by SUV fatigue but also because some buyers simply prefer the pickup truck body style.
In response, Chevy continues tweaking the Silverado lineup to include high-end trims – like the luxurious High Country – and infusing the cabin with advanced technology and connectivity, including Wi-Fi hotspots, wireless charging pads, and smartphone integration. The result is a cabin interior that rivals that of even the most expensive European imports.
These changes haven’t affected Chevy’s commitment to its core pickup truck owner base, though. Just as you can find a fully-loaded High Country, the Silverado is also available in a classic affordable Work Truck trim, a model that’s perfect for the job site. For 2021, Chevy puts the focus on capability and fuel efficiency across the trim lineup, with engine refinements that add power and burn less fuel. What else is new? We review all the latest Silverado updates here.
Capability and Performance
The 2021 Chevy Silverado is no slouch when it comes to core capabilities. It offers a max trailering capacity of 13,300 pounds, a max available payload of 2,280 pounds, and 89.1 cubic feet of max available cargo bed space. For 2021, Chevy lightened the Silverado’s frame and enlarged its profile, keeping the classic, recognizable curb profile and overlaying modern touches, like LED headlights and a redesigned grille.
Diesel fans will love the available turbo-diesel Duramax 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. Its fuel-sipping 33 MPG highway fuel economy rating somehow coexists with 460 lb-ft of available torque that’s readily available at low gears for optimal towing and off-roading performance. Distance drivers will love its estimated 726-mile driving range and the paired smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.
If diesel power isn’t for you, Chevy offers five gas-powered engines, including a 2.7-liter turbo that generates 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 that offers 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there is the 6.2-liter EcoTec V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management that delivers 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. If you want max towing capability, you’ll want to opt for the V8. Each of these engines offers unique attributes that fit a variety of budgets and driving styles, and some are only available on select trims. Your Chevy dealer can walk you through your options in more specific detail.
Serious off-roaders will want to check out the Silverado Custom Trail Boss. It comes standard with the 5.3-liter EcoTec engine and a factory-installed 2-inch lift. The popular Z71 Off-Road Package is also included on the Custom Trail Boss, adding skid plates for undercarriage protection, special monotone shocks, a heavy-duty air filter, and special Z71 badging. An automatic locking rear differential provides instant access to extra grip for confidence in even the muddiest conditions.
The Silverado High Country
Luxury meets grit on the Silverado High Country, Chevy’s most upscale trim. With the standard 5.3-liter V8 engine and an option to upgrade to either the Duramax turbo-diesel I-6 or the 6.2-liter V8, buyers can equip their High Country with the power and towing capability they need.
Add the optional High Country Deluxe Package, and you’ll get a power sunroof, upgraded 22-inch wheels and tires, and Chevy’s bundled Safety Package II that includes eight advanced driver-assist safety systems. The available Technology Package adds an HD Surround Vision camera with trailer views, a rear camera mirror, and a 15-inch Head-Up display. This trim also allows buyers to add the Z71 Off-Road Package.
Technology is front-and-center on the upscale High Country. The center dash-mounted 8-inch HD infotainment touchscreen is powered by Chevy’s Infotainment 3 operating system and includes navigation. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s an available wireless charging pad and a powerful 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot to keep everyone connected during long drives.
Choose the available Multi-Flex Tailgate and convert your truck’s tailgate into a versatile work surface or tailgating accessory. It offers six different functions to help make accessing the bed and loading/unloading cargo easier. Setting one is the primary tailgate, which is operable from inside the truck, the key fob, or a switch on the tailgate itself. There’s a built-in inner and outer gate stop to keep long cargo secure, an inner gate that folds down and gets you closer to the bed, a full-width step that holds up to 375 pounds, and the inner gate converts to a handy work surface.
Advanced Trailering Technology
A collection of dynamic available camera technologies make towing with your Silverado safer and easier. There are 8 available cameras that offer 15 different views. Hook up your trailer on the first try with the hitch view and use Surround View to get a bird’s eye view of the area around the truck. The rear top-down view gives you a clear picture of the distance between the truck bed and objects behind it, and the bed view lets you keep an eye on your payload or hitch your fifth-wheel accurately.
In addition to static camera views, the system also includes six different driving views to keep you and your trailer secure on the road. Transparent trailer view makes the trailer “see-through” so you can see the traffic behind it. The front camera view displays a clear image of the front of the truck with guidelines for help with parking and maneuvering around tight spaces. When the turn signal is engaged, the rear side view camera displays a red zone that indicates the space required to make a safe lane change.
The innovative picture-in-picture side view combines the rear side view and the rear trailer view to give driver’s a clear viewpoint of potential obstacles around and behind them. Also available is a camera that displays a wide view image of traffic behind you on the rearview mirror. The rear trailer view includes a handy trailer angle indicator with guidelines to help you back up accurately the first time without having to guess. Inside trailer view is just like it sounds, offering a view of your cargo, an especially helpful feature when towing livestock.
Other camera views include a 3-D surround view, called bowl view, that’s helpful when backing up, a front side view that displays a close-up of the front tires, and a front top-down view camera angle that shows the hood, bumper, and front tires, a helpful feature for curbside parking. This view also includes guidelines that can be switched on or off. In addition to the 15 available camera angles, the Silverado’s trailering technology includes a new jack-knife alert that warns the driver if the trailer is swaying.
The Silverado Is Better Than Ever
With class-leading capability, a full spectrum of trims designed for a multitude of different buyers, and a starting price that’s just under $30,000, there’s a lot to love about the 2021 Silverado 1500. Head down to your local Chevy dealer and take one for a test drive. We’re betting you will be.
