2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD: Here’s What’s New And Different

by Francisco Cruz
— Mar 26, 2021

Model Line

The 2021 Silverado 3500HD continues to be offered in the same configurations as the 2020 model, including four trim levels and four cab/bed configurations with either single or dual rear wheels.

Trim levels:

Work Truck
LT
LTZ
High Country

Bed – Cab – Wheel configurations:

Standard Bed Crew Cab with Single Rear Wheel
- 2WD (CC30743)
- 4WD (CK30743)
Long Bed Crew Cab with Single or Dual Rear Wheel
- 2WD (CC30943)
- 4WD (CK30943)
Long Bed Double Cab with Single or Dual Rear Wheel
- 2WD (CC30953)
- 4WD (CK30953)
Long Bed Regular Cab with Single or Dual Rear Wheel
- 2WD (CC30903)
- 4WD (CK30903)

Exterior

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD sees the deletion of two exterior color options as well as the addition of two new hues:

Deleted exterior colors:

Shadow Gray Metallic
Cajun Red Tintcoat

New exterior colors:

Mosaic Black Metallic
Cherry Red Tintcoat

The large pickup also sees the addition of bright power-retractable assist steps with LED lighting. These steps are optional on LTZ and High Country models. On the LTZ, these steps are part of the Z71 Chrome Sport Edition, which is new for the 2021 model year.

A new 18-inch wheel in a High-Gloss Black finish has also been added to the wheel lineup. It is only available with one of three packages: Alaskan Snow Plow Special Edition, Midnight Edition, or Z71 Sport Edition (more info on the latter two packages below). Additionally, a set of Grazen Metallic 10-spoke 20-inch wheels have also been added, which are specific to the aforementioned LT Z71 Chrome Sport Edition.

There’s also the addition of the following LPO-level (dealer-installed) wheels:

20-inch Chrome aluminum wheels (SKW)
20-inch Aluminum high gloss Black with machined finish wheels (SKX)
20-inch high gloss Black aluminum wheels (SHH)
LPO transit wheels (Q7Q)
- Factory-installed for models with LPO wheels
- These wheels are swapped out for the actual wheels the truck was ordered with at the dealer

Finally, the manual tailgate with EZ Lift, power lock and release is now standard on the LT models. For the 2020 model year, this tailgate was included and only available on LT models equipped with the Convenience Package or Advanced Trailering Package.

Interior

On the inside, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD deletes the front 40/20/40 split bench seat, which was standard on the Work Truck for the 2020 model year. Meanwhile, the front 40/20/40 split-bench with upper covered armrest storage becomes standard on Work Truck and Custom models for the 2021 model year. For the 2020 model year, this seating configuration was only available for LT models.

The pickup truck sees the addition of the following features:

Carpeted floor liners (optional on all trims except for Work Truck)
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto (optional on LT, standard on LTZ and High Country)
Inside rearview mirror with partial video display and a Bed View Camera (available on Work Truck and LT)

Additionally, the dual-USB port option located on instrument panel is now standard on Work Truck and Custom trim levels. For the 2020 model year, this USB port option was only available for LT and LTZ models, and standard on High Country models.

Another change is the addition of SiriusXM as an option on Work Truck models and as standard on LT models. For the 2020 model year, this option was only available on all models except for Work Truck. It’s worth noting that the SiriusXM radio trial package is not provided on vehicles ordered for Fleet Daily Rental (“FDR”) use.

Powertrain

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD continues to be offered with the following engine and transmission choices:

Engine	Fuel	Aspiration	Transmission	Horsepower @ RPM	Torque @ RPM	Axle
6.6L L8T V8	Gasoline	Naturally Aspirated	6-Speed Automatic (MYD)	401 @ 5200	464 @ 4000	3.73
6.6L L5P V8 Duramax	Diesel	Turbocharged	10-Speed Automatic (MGM, MGU)	445 @ 2800	910 @ 1600	3.42

Notably, the 6.6-liter L8T V8 gas engine sees the addition of E85 FlexFuel capability for Work Truck models. The feature is not available with pickup bed delete, and requires WT Convenience Package for Regular Cab models.

Packages

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 3500 sees a new Max Trailering Package plus several changes to existing packages.

First, the Safety Confidence Package is added as an option on the Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss models, and includes:

Forward Collision Alert
Automatic Emergency Braking
Front Pedestrian Braking
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Driver Information Center
For Work Truck models:
- Includes Cruise Control
- Not available with pickup bed delete

The big rig also adds four new special edition models, as follows:

Z71 Sport Edition

Available on LT and LTZ models

Includes:

Body-color grille bar with “CHEVROLET”
Black grille inserts with Z71 badge
Black skid plate
Black Silverado trim level and tonnage badging
Black bowtie on horn pad
Painted mirror caps
Black hood vent surround
Painted front bumper
Painted rear bumper
18-inch high gloss Black aluminum wheels (PTW)
LT275/70R18, mud-terrain, blackwall tires (QG3)
Chevytec spray-on bedliner
4-inch Black assist steps (LPO-level item)

Z71 Chrome Sport Edition

Available on LT and LTZ models

Includes:

Body-color grille bar with “CHEVROLET”
Black mesh with Chrome grille accents and Z71 badge
Chrome skid plate
Body-color front bumper
Body-color rear bumper
LT275/65R20 all-terrain, blackwall tires QF9)
Chevytec spray-on bedliner

LTZ Premium Texas Edition

Available on LTZ models

Includes:

LTZ Convenience Package
LTZ Convenience Package II
Safety Package
Safety Package II
Technology Package
20-inch polished aluminum wheels (RTH)
LT275/65R20 all-terrain, blackwall tires (QF9)
Texas Edition badging

Midnight Edition

Available on LT and LTZ models

Includes:

Black grille bar with “CHEVROLET”
Black grille inserts with Z71 badge
Black skid plate
Black Silverado
Trim level and tonnage badging
Black bowtie on horn pad
Gloss Black mirror caps
Black hood vent surround
Painted front bumper
Painted rear bumper
18-inch high gloss Black aluminum wheels (PTW)
Chevytec spray-on bedliner
4-inch Black assist steps (LPO-level item)

Notably, the packages add further content/features and have specific requirements that are dependent on trim level. For complete availability information, see this page: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Changes, Updates, New Features.

Meanwhile, the LTZ Convenience Package II now includes the Bed View Camera option as well as the HD Surround Vision with Two Trailer View Camera Provisions. Previously, the package only included the Chevrolet Infotainment System with Navigation, an 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen, the Bose Premium Audio System, and wireless phone charging.

On the contrary, the Technology Package (available only on LTZ and High Country) no longer includes the features just discussed, including the Bed View Camera or the HD Surround Vision with Two Trailer View Camera Provisions. However, the package still includes the Rear Camera Mirror and 15-inch Diagonal Head-Up Display.

On LTZ models, the Technology Package requires the LTZ Convenience Package II and Safety Package II, includes 8-inch enhanced Driver Information Center, and is not available with pickup bed delete.
High Country models require the Safety Package II when equipped with the Technology Package.

2021 Chevy Silverado 3500HD Availability

The 2021 Silverado 3500HD is assembled at the GM Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan.

The plant has been producing 2021 models since the end of Q3 2020. Looking ahead, we expect the fourth-generation Silverado 3500HD to remain in production through at least the 2025 model year.

Chevrolet Silverado HD Photos