2021 Chevrolet Silverado diesel models receive small changes changes and updates to the Light Duty Silverado 1500 model as well as the Heavy Duty Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models and Medium Duty Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD models.
Changes, Updates, New Features
2021 Silverado Diesel 1500
An all-new, fourth-generation Silverado Light Duty was released for the 2019 model year and received several noteworthy updates for the 2020 model year.
Notably, 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 new starting price of $44,000 also applied to remaining 2020 units as of September 3rd, 2020.
The 2021 Silverado LD diesel models receive a few other noteworthy changes, including:
Model Line
- CC10743 2WD Crew Cab Standard Bed model is no longer available on Custom, RST, LTZ or High Country models
- CC10753 2WD Double Cab Standard Bed model is no longer available on RST or LTZ models
- CK10753 4WD Double Cab Standard Bed model is no longer available on LTZ models
Exterior
- Deletion of two exterior colors
- Addition of three exterior colors
- Deletion of manual tailgate with EZ Lift
- Deletion of 20-inch x 9-inch painted aluminum with machined face and Gray accent pocket wheels (NZT)
- 20-inch x 9-inch Polished finish wheels (RD2) are now standard on LTZ
- Sunroof no longer available on LT models
Interior
- Deletion of front 40/20/40 split bench seat
- Addition of Carpeted floor liners
- Addition of Wireless Phone Projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Deletion of USB port located on instrument panel
- SiriusXM is now standard on LT and RST models
Mechanical
- Addition of LT265/60R20 MT blackwall Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires (QFV)
- Increased maximum tow ratings for models powered by turbocharged 2.7L I-4 L3B gasoline engine and 3.0L I-6 LM2 turbo-diesel Duramax engine
Packaging
- Addition of All Star Edition Plus
- Addition of Texas Edition Plus
- Addition of LTZ Premium Texas Edition
- LTZ Plus Package is now standard on LTZ models
- New standard content for LT and RST models
- Deletion of Texas Edition
- Deletion of LT Value Package
- Deletion of RST Value Package
- Deletion of LTZ Texas Edition
- Deletion of Remote Start Package
- Deletion of Trailer Camera Package
See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 changes, updates and new features here: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 change log.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may differ for other markets.
2021 Silverado Diesel HD (2500HD, 3500HD)
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD introduced the GM T1 platform to the HD nameplate, representing a complete overhaul (redesigned and re-engineered) from the ground up. For the 2021 model year, the Silverado HD receives the following changes:
Exterior
- Deletion of two exterior color options
- Addition of two exterior color options
- Addition of Bright power-retractable assist steps
- New LPO-level wheel sets
- Manual tailgate with EZ Lift, power lock and release is now standard on LT models
Interior
- Deletion of front 40/20/40 split bench seat
- Addition of Carpeted floor liners
- Addition of Wireless Phone Projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Addition of Inside rearview mirror with partial video display
- Addition of Bed View Camera
- Front 40/20/40 split-bench with upper covered armrest storage is now standard on Work Truck and Custom models
- USB ports (x2) located on instrument panel now standard on Work Truck and Custom trim levels
- SiriusXM is now available on Work Truck models and standard on LT models
Packages
- Addition of Carhartt Special Edition
- Addition of Safety Confidence Package
- Addition of Duramax and Appearance Package on LT models
- Addition of Z71 Sport Edition for LT and LTZ models
- Addition of Z71 Chrome Sport Edition
- Addition of Midnight Edition
- Addition of LTZ Premium Texas Edition
- New LTZ Convenience Package II contents
- Alaskan Snow Plow Package now includes 18-inch High gloss Black aluminum wheels
See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD changes, updates and new features here: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD change log.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may differ for other markets.
2021 Silverado Medium Duty Diesel (4500HD, 5500HD, 6500HD)
The Silverado Medium Duty pickup was introduced for the 2019 model year, and received a few minor changes for the 2020 model year. As such, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado MD receives a few updates and changes, including:
- Addition of StabiliTrak, which is standard on all models
- Neutral-at-Stop is now standard
- Addition of FuelSense 2.0 transmission shift control calibration
- Upfitter switch kit is now standard
- Exhaust brake is now standard
- Addition of an Open rear axle, non-locking rear as a standard feature
- Addition of Axle, limited slip, Dana Spicer as an available option
See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty changes, updates and new features here: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty change log.
See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel changes, updates and new features here: 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel change log.
Body Styles
The 2021 Chevrolet Diesel 1500 is available as a light-duty full-size pickup truck with several cab and bed configurations, however, Regular Cab models are not available with the turbo-diesel engine option.
Meanwhile the Sierra Diesel 2500HD and 3500HD models are available as heavy-duty full-size pickup trucks. Notably, 3500HD models are available exclusively as Crew Cab models.
Silverado Diesel 1500 Configurations
- Crew Cab, Short Bed
- Crew Cab, Standard Bed
- Double Cab, Standard Bed
Silverado Diesel 2500HD Configurations
(all with single rear wheel)
- Regular Cab, Long Box
- Double Cab, Standard Box
- Double Cab, Long Box
- Crew Cab, Standard Box
- Crew Cab, Long Box
Silverado Diesel 3500HD Configurations
- Crew Cab, Standard Box, Single Rear Wheel
- Crew Cab, Long Box, Single Rear Wheel
- Crew Cab, Long Box, Dual Rear Wheel
We should note that each of the above body configurations are available with either a rear-wheel or four-wheel drivetrain assembly.
Powertrain
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is offered with the following turbo-diesel engine and transmission choices:
| Class | Engine | Transmission | Horsepower (HP) / Kilowatts (kW) @ RPM | Torque (lb-ft) / Newton-Meters (N-m) @ RPM | Axle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Duty | 6.6L Duramax L5P V8 | 10-Speed Automatic (MGM, MGU) | 445 / 331.97 @ 2800 | 910 / 1228.50 @ 1600 | 3.42 |
| Medium Duty | 6.6L Duramax L5D V8 | 6-Speed Automatic | 350 @ 2700 | 700 @ 1600 | 4.10, 4.30, 4.56, 4.88 |
| Light Duty | 3.0L LM2 Duramax I6 | 10-Speed Automatic (MQB) | 277 / 206.64 @ 3750 | 460 /621 @ 1500 | 3.23 |
Notably, the 6.6-liter Duramax L5D turbo-diesel is the one and only engine available for the Silverado Medium Duty product line.
Platform
- The 2021 Silverado Diesel Light Duty rides on the GM T1 platform shared most directly with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The same basic architecture will also used on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe/2021 Chevrolet Suburban, 2021 GMC Yukon, and 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
- The 2021 Silverado Diesel Heavy Duty rides on a more capable version of the same GM T1 platform
- The 2021 Silverado Diesel Medium Duty rides on a dedicated platform jointly developed by GM and Navistar
Production
The 2021 Silverado Diesel models are assembled at the following factories:
- GM Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan, USA (LD and HD)
- GM Fort Wayne Assembly in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA (LD)
- GM Silao Assembly in Silao, Mexico (LD)
The Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD are built at the Navistar Springfield plant in Springfield, Ohio, United States.
Availability
The 2021 Silverado Diesel availability is as follows:
- 2021 Silverado 1500 – late second quarter or early third quarter 2020 launch (carry-over model with some changes)
- 2021 Silverado HD – late second quarter of early third quarter 2020 launch (all-new model)
- 2021 Silverado MD – late second quarter of early third quarter 2020 launch (carry-over model with some changes)
Beyond 2021
We expect the following outlook for the Silverado Diesel beyond the 2021 model year:
- The light-duty Silverado 1500, in its fourth generation as of the 2019 model year, is expected remain in production thru the 2025 model year
- The heavy-duty Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD, in their fourth generation as of the 2020 model year, are expected to remain in production thru the 2026 model year
- The medium-duty Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD, now in their first generation, are expected remain in production thru the 2027 model year
An all-new, next-generation Chevy Silverado will launch after the aforementioned models reach the end of their respective lifecycles.
Discussion
Discuss the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Diesel in our Chevrolet forum.
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