The vast variety of configurations and options available for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 make it the perfect truck for everyone. This half-ton model comes with multiple different engines, a max towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, a max payload of 2,280 pounds, and up to 460 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado was originally just a trim of Chevy’s C/K truck line, but it went over so well that they decided to make it into its own model. Today, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is more stylish, customizable, and powerful than ever. Let’s take a closer look at what this model has to offer.
Engine Selection, Galore!
The Silverado has been diverse from the start, with even the first-generation models offering up to three different engines. While this sounds like a nice variety, the current 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes with six different engine options. Let’s look at all six engines, pointing out the main differences so you can pick which one is right for you.
The first available engine is the 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine, which comes paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It produces 285 horses and 305 pound-feet of torque, which is quite capable for a base engine. Higher trims instead come standard with a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 310 horses and up to 348 pound-feet of torque. This engine can also get you up to 23 miles per gallon on the highway. Don’t knock this option just because it’s an I4 – you will find that it is an all-around upgrade over the V6 and can even tow up to 9,600 pounds.
Upgraded Engine Options
If you want even more power, then Chevy has the answer. The 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine produces 355 horses and 383 pound-feet of torque while still getting an impressive 23 miles per gallon on the highway. You can get this engine with or without dynamic fuel management, which is beneficial if fuel economy is important to you but doesn’t change the power rating. However, the dynamic fuel management engine is available with an upgraded 10-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 11,500 pounds.
But if towing is your main concern, you’ll want to get the larger 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine. This one offers top-of-the-line towing, landing at 13,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V6 gets the most horsepower of them all, hitting 420 horses and 460 pound-feet of torque. On the flip side, if fuel economy is what you’re looking for, the 3.0-liter Turbo Diesel I6 engine is your friend. It can get you up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway while still being able to tow up to 9,500 pounds.
As you can see, there’s a 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 engine out there for any type of truck driver. Whether you need to haul heavy loads, or you’re looking for a truck appeal with SUV-level fuel economy, the new Silverado has you covered.
I Want The Silverado For Towing, So What Makes It Special In This Department?
There are many reasons to choose the Silverado if you’re looking to tow boats, trailers, or farm equipment. But the main reason lies in its trailer towing technology. On the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, you’ll get up to 15 different camera views, making it much easier to maneuver your load when you’re alone. Further, the in-vehicle trailering system can monitor things that were easy to miss in the old days. It can test your trailer’s brake lights, display tire pressures, and create a “departure checklist” to make sure everything is good to go when you hitch up.
If you use multiple trailers, you’re in luck. The in-vehicle trailering system also allows drivers to create multiple trailering profiles. So, you don’t have to reset your settings every time you haul something different. Instead, just cycle through your preset list, choose your trailer, and you’re good to go!
In addition to these cool features, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 also comes with trailer sway control, hill start assist, electric parking brake hookup assist, brake gain memory, auto grade braking, and trailer theft alert. In case you don’t already know, brake gain memory lets you save brake settings for each trailer as part of their profile, while auto grade braking helps preserve your brakes by automatically downshifting to slow your Silverado when heading downhill.
Overall, the 2021 Chevy Silverado’s towing perks make it great for casual truckers and hardcore towers alike. Between its advanced trailering tools and a max tow rating of 13,300 pounds, there’s something here for everyone.
The 2021 Silverado’s Exterior Aesthetic Appeal
You can choose from ten different color options on the 2021 Chevy Silverado, including Cherry Red Tintcoat, Northsky Blue Metallic, and Oxford Brown Metallic, to name a few, but it doesn’t stop there. There are also four different special editions available to give your ride even more customization. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
First, we’ve got the Realtree Edition. This model is great for hunters and outdoorsy folks. It comes with camouflage exterior graphics, camo interior accents, a spray-on bedliner, dual exhaust tips, black assist steps, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. This special edition option even comes with a 2-inch lift, mud-terrain tires, and the powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine for real off-road performance.
Next up is the sporty Redline Edition. This one is red and back-themed, offering 20-inch black wheels with red accents, black door handles, black side steps, red striped mirrors, red recovery hooks, and more. The Midnight Edition also has red tow hooks but pairs them with a blacked-out look that includes a black bumper, 20-inch black wheels, a black grille, and black exhaust tips. It even includes black badging.
Finally, we’ve got the Rally Edition. This one offers black hood stripes, massive 22-inch wheels that look like they belong on a sports car, black assist steps and exhaust tips, and black tailgate lettering and badging. The cool thing about these editions is that you can further customize them. You get to pick your exterior color, and you can add whatever else you’d like into the mix. Between these packages and other add-on options such as skid plates and side steps, you’ll easily stand out in this snazzy half-ton model.
Why Choose Chevy Over Its Competitors?
There are several available half-ton trucks out there. So, how do you know which one is actually the best, or if there’s even a difference? While all truck models look impressive on the surface, the truth is in the stats and specs. In this case, Chevy wins all the way. In short, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is powerful, safe, and offers more bed space than any of its competitors. Further, its special edition options make it the most aesthetically appealing model on the market.
Plus, Chevy’s truck reliability tops the average trucks, carrying a higher reliability rating and a solid resale value. Trucks are expensive, so you want to get something you know will last. With a Chevy, you know that you have a truck that is with you for the long haul. The Silverado proves to be more reliable when it comes to rust and wear. Based on both long-term and recent history, it looks like the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is the half-ton truck to trust.
