2021 Chevy Silverado 1500

Configurations on Configurations

To get an understanding of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, it is useful to learn about the different configurations available on the truck. Chevy offers the Silverado 1500 with three different types of cabs. These cabs are the regular cab, a two-door model with one row of seats and a three-passenger capacity, the double cab, with two full-size doors and two half-doors with two rows of seats, and the crew cab, which has four full-size doors and two rows of seats. 

The Silverado 1500 also has two types of payload beds. The standard box measures 157 inches (157.1 inches on the Trail Boss models), while the short box measures 147.4 inches (147.5 inches on the Trail Boss). The standard box will probably be preferable if you plan on hauling longer objects, while the Silverado with the short box will be easier to maneuver. But with all of this said and done, the Silverado 1500 has a lot to offer in terms of configuration.

Trims and More Trims

Keeping up the trend of a million and one options, the 2021 Chevy Silverado comes in a plethora of trims. This pickup has a base MSRP of $28,600, which will get you behind the wheel of a Work Truck trim. This will be ideal if you plan on using your truck for work, but if you want more, you should consider some of the other trims on offer. The next model up from the Work Truck is the Custom, which adds cruise control and an EZ Lift power lock, and a release tailgate. 

This trim is followed by the LT, which has an MSRP of $39,600 and adds Chevrolet OnStar & Connected Services, and chrome bumpers to the Silverado 1500. The next option, the RST trim, includes a keyless remote starter and LED fog lamps for an MSRP of $43,900. Next, the LTZ has an MSRP of $49,100 and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the truck’s Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, 20-inch polished wheels, a leather interior and seats, and a high definition rearview camera with a hitch guidance control. The top-of-the-line High Country trim really has it all with a Bose premium audio system and navigation on the Infotainment 3 system, adaptive ride control, 22-inch wheels, and high-intensity headlines.

Chevy also offers the Silverado Custom and LT in Trail Boss editions, which are 4-wheel drive only and feature 20-inch black wheels with Goodyear Territory MT tires. Finally, if you are interested in taking your truck off-road, you should consider getting your 2021 Silverado with the optional Z51 package. This includes an automatic locking rear differential and hill-descent control to improve the off-road capabilities of your Silverado 1500. Chevy has also added three new packages, the All-Star Edition Plus, Texas Edition Plus, and the LTZ Premium Texas Edition. It is safe to say, with all of these options, you are sure to come across the perfect Silverado 1500 for you.

Engines and Engines

Chevrolet offers six different engine options on the 2021 Silverado 1500, each with one of the three different transmissions. The Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss are equipped with a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. And this powerful base engine produces up to 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. This is extremely impressive, but it only gets more impressive from here. 

There is also a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine available as an option on the Work Truck, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss trims. This engine utilizes a 6-speed automatic transmission and can produce up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, giving each of these Silverado trims a boost in performance.

The LT and RST trims feature a 2.7-liter Turbo DOHC I-4 gas engine with VVT, DI and active fuel management, and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine also has automatic stop and start technology, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions by automatically turning the engine off at red lights and then restarting it as soon as you take your foot off the brake. Despite being the smallest engine available on the Silverado 1500, this effectively utilizes its turbocharger to produce 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it is available as an option on the Work Truck and Custom models.

The LTZ, High Country, and LT Trail Boss trims each come with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 gas engine with VVT, DI, dynamic fuel management, and automatic stop and start technology. This engine produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed transmission on the LTZ and High Country, and a 10-speed transmission on the LT Trail Boss. People who purchase the LT or RST trims can also opt for this engine.

The biggest engine on offer for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 with VVT, DI, dynamic fuel management, and automatic start and stop technology. This engine comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with quick responsiveness and can produce up to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It is available as an option on 4-wheel drive versions of the High Country, LTZ, LT Trail Boss, RST, and Custom Trail Boss.

Finally, Chevy offers the Silverado with a 3.0-liter I-6 Duramax Turbodiesel that comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This provides great power without sacrificing fuel efficiency and produces a prodigious 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is an available option on the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country trims. In all, there are many engines on offer for the Silverado 1500, allowing everyone to find something perfect for them. 

Let’s face it; one of the best reasons to buy a pickup truck is to haul stuff and tow trailers. Sure, many SUVs claim to be able to carry and tow things, but they just don’t measure up to a pickup. With that said, the 2021 Chevy Silverado is right up there if you need a truck to do the job. But a great deal will depend on the configuration you choose for your truck.

Payload Capacities

If your goal in buying a Silverado is its payload capacity, then your best bet might be one with a regular cab. A Silverado 1500 with a regular cab and 4-wheel drive can carry up to 2,160 lbs of cargo, which increases to 2,280 lbs with rear-wheel drive. In contrast, a Silverado 1500 with a double cab will have a maximum payload capacity of 2,180 lbs with 4-wheel drive and 2,190 lbs with rear-wheel drive. These are still excellent figures. The same holds true with the Silverado's crew cab models, which range from 2,120 lbs of capability with 4-wheel drive and 2,180 lbs with 4-wheel drive.

Silverado Towing 

When it comes to towing trailers, the Silverado is a real champ. Here, the ability comes down to which engine option you choose. The greatest towing capacity on the Silverado comes from the 6.2-liter V8 that can tow up to 13,300 lbs of trailer with the right equipment. This is followed by the 3.5-liter V8 with a maximum towing capacity of 11,500 lbs, the 2.7-liter Turbo with a maximum towing capacity of 9,600 lbs, the Turbodiesel that can tow up to 9,500 lbs, and the 4.3-liter V6 engine that has a maximum towing capacity of 7,900 lbs. If you need power, the Silverado 1500 can provide.