2021 Chevy Silverado 1500: Here’s What’s New And Different

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 represents the third model year of the fourth-generation Silverado half-ton truck, which launched for the 2019 model year. The pickup truck receives several updates and changes for the 2021 model year. Here’s everything that’s new and different for the 2021 Silverado 1500.

Model Line

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 sees the following changes to its model line:

• 2WD Crew Cab Standard Bed model (CC10743) is no longer available on Custom, RST, LTZ or High Country models
• 2WD Double Cab Standard Bed model (CC10753) is no longer available on RST or LTZ models
• 4WD Double Cab Standard Bed model (CK10753) is no longer available on LTZ models

As such, the following trim levels and configurations are available for the 2021 model year:

Exterior

On the outside, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 sees the deletion of two exterior colors: Havana Brown Metallic and Cajun Red Tintcoat.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado Cajun Red Tintcoat

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Havana Brown Metallic

The pickup truck also sees the addition of three new exterior hues: Mosaic Black Metallic, Oxford Brown, and Cherry Red Tintcoat. 

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Mosaic Black Metallic

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Oxford Brown Metallic

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Cherry Red Tintcoat

Other exterior changes include the deletion of the manual tailgate with EZ Lift. Meanwhile, the manual tailgate with EZ Lift and with power lock and release becomes standard on Custom (1CX), Custom Trail Boss (2CX) and LT (1LT). Additionally, the power up and down tailgate is now standard on LTZ (1LZ) and available on LT (1LT), RST (1SP) and LT Trail Boss (2LT) models. Finally, the Multi-Flex tailgate is introduced as an option on all trims. See the table below for complete tailgate availability.

Key:

• QT2 – manual gate function
• QT3 – manual gate function with EZ lift
• QT5 – manual gate function with EZ lift, power lock and release
• QT6 – power up/down gate function with power lock and release
• QK2 – Multi-Flex tailgate, with six functional load/access features

The truck also sees the deletion of 20-inch x 9-inch painted aluminum with machined face and Gray accent pocket wheels (RPO code NZT). Other wheel updates include a change in availability for the 20-inch x 9-inch Black painted aluminum wheel option (RD5) which is now a free flow on Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss models. For the 2020 model year, these wheels were only available on Silverado Custom Rally Edition models and LT Trail Boss Midnight Edition models.

Additionally, the 20-inch x 9-inch Polished finish wheel option (RD2) is now standard on LTZ models. For the 2020 model year, these wheels were only available on models equipped with either the LTZ Premium Package or the Z71 Off-Road and Protection Package. GM is also introducing a new tire option for the 2021 Silverado 1500: LT265/60R20 MT blackwall Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires (QFV). The tire is an option on the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss models.

Finally, the sunroof is no longer available on LT models for the 2021 model year, yet remains available on RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country Crew Cab models, though with certain restrictions. For instance, RST models require Convenience Package II, LTZ models require the LTZ Premium Package or LTZ Premium Texas Edition, and High Country models require High Country Deluxe package.

Interior

Inside, The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 sees the deletion of the front 40/20/40 split bench seat as well as of the USB port located on the instrument panel. For 2020 model year, this USB feature was standard on Work Truck, Silverado Custom, and Silverado Custom Trail Boss models. Now, for the 2021 model year, Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss models come standard with a front 40/20/40 bench seat with a covered armrest and fixed lumbar, along with two USB ports on the instrumental panel.

As far as new features go, the truck sees the addition of carpeted floor liners as well as Wireless Phone Projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Other interior updates include changes to SiriusXM and OnStar availability. For the 2020 model year, SiriusXM was available for Silverado Custom and Silverado Custom Trail Boss models, while being standard on higher trims. For the 2021 model year, SiriusXM it is available on Work Truck models while being standard on Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, and LT Trail Boss models. Meanwhile, OnStar is now standard on Custom and Custom Trail Boss models. For the 2020 model year, it was only included on LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country models.

Powertrain

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers the same engine choices as the previous model year, which are listed in the table below

It’s worth noting that some models equipped with the either of the 5.3L engines will ship without Active Fuel Management or Dynamic Fuel Management. This is a result of the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.

Additionally, diesel-powered Silverado 1500 models saw a price drop at the end of the 2020 model year production run, which then carried over into the 2021 model year. Specifically, models equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax LM2 Turbo Diesel received a $1,500 price reduction. The 2021 starting price of $44,000 also applied to remaining 2020 units as of September 3^rd, 2020.

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 also sees increased maximum tow ratings for models powered by turbocharged 2.7L I-4 L3B gasoline engine as well as the 3.0L I-6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine.

Packages

Several packages have been deleted for the 2021 model year, including:

• Trailer Camera Package
• LT Value Package
• RST Value Package
• Remote Start Package
• Fuel Economy Package

The Texas Edition and LTZ Texas Edition packages have also been deleted. Meanwhile, several edition/packages have been introduced and are shown below along with their corresponding equipment:

Additionally, the Custom Value Package is now standard on Custom models, the Convenience Package with Bucket Seats is now standard on LT Trail Boss models, and the LTZ Plus Package is now standard on LTZ models. For the 2020 model year, all of these packages were optional.

Moreover, LT and RST models now include the following as standard:

• All Star Edition
• Convenience Package
• Trailering Package
• Auto-locking rear differential

For the 2020 model year, the All Star Edition and both packages were optional, and the auto-locking rear differential had varying requirements and availability for Work Truck, Custom, LT and RST models, as shown below:

• For Work Truck models:
  • Required with 5.3L L82 EcoTec3 V8 engine when Trailering Package is ordered
  • Included with Z71 Off-Road Package
• For Silverado Custom models:
  • Required with Custom Max Trailering Package
• For LT models:
  • Required with 5.3L L84 EcoTec3 V8 engine when Trailering Package is ordered, or with Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6 engine
  • Included with Z71 Off-Road Package, All Star Edition, or Texas Edition
• For RST models:
  • Required with 5.3L L84 EcoTec3 V8 engine when Trailering Package is ordered, or with 6.2L L87 EcoTec3 V8 engine or Duramax 3.0L LM2 Turbo-Diesel I6 engine
  • Included with Z71 Off-Road Package, All Star Edition, or Texas Edition

The G80 auto-locking rear diff was included with all other trim levels.

One other package change relates to the Max Trailering Package when paired with the 5.3L L84 EcoTec3 V8 engine, as the combination now requires a sold order type, meaning it requires a customer order and is not eligible to be ordered as part of dealer inventory.

2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Availability

The 2021 Silverado 1500 is assembled at the following factories:

• GM Fort Wayne Assembly in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
• GM Silao Plant in Mexico

The plants have been producing 2021 models since the end of Q3 2020. Looking ahead, we expect the fourth-generation Silverado 1500 to remain in production through the 2025 model year, with a major refresh coming for the 2022 model year (see more on 2022 Chevy Silverado). Then, an all-new, next-generation Chevy Silverado will launch thereafter.

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