2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is one of the most popular full-size, half-ton pickup trucks on the market. This is a versatile truck with a lot of options and configurations. There are three cab styles and two cargo-bed sizes. There are also a number of different powertrain options. The Silverado 1500 can be customized to perfectly suit your tastes and needs.

This do-everything truck is perfectly suited for daily driving, family hauling or as a work vehicle. The 2021 models will have some exciting new features too. There are several good reasons to choose a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, along with some downsides to be aware of.

What's New for 2021?

One new addition for 2021 is the Multi-Flex Tailgate. This engineering marvel can be folded and configured into six different positions. It can be set up to accommodate longer objects in the truck bed. It can even be configured into an extra step for easier entry into the bed while loading and unloading your cargo.

The maximum towing rates are higher this year for many of the trim levels. There is also some new trailering technology such as a Jack-Knife Alert, a Trailer-Length Indicator and a Cargo-Bed Viewer. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with wireless connection has been added to the infotainment systems for 2021.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – The Pros

1. Numerous Powerful Engines To Choose From

There are a lot of powertrains to choose from. All of them provide plenty of horsepower and torque for the toughest jobs. There's a 4.3-liter V6 base engine that produces 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. There are two V8 options. One is a 5.3-liter with Dynamic Fuel Management technology for efficiency. Both versions produce 355 horsepower with 383 pound-feet of torque.

There is also an efficient 2.7-liter turbocharged engine that cranks out 310 horsepower. For the big jobs, Chevrolet also offers a 3.0-liter, inline-6 diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

2. The Ability To Tow Heavy Loads

The Silverado 1500 has an impressive maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. This stat comes from a Silverado 1500 equipped with the V8 engine, Max Trailering Package and 20-inch wheels. Along with all of the camera and trailering technology, the Silverado 1500 is the perfect truck for taking a trailer along for your ride.

3. A Multi-Camera Trailering System

The Silverado 1500 has a camera system with more viewing angles than any other truck in its class. Whether you're actively driving, hitching a trailer or trying to park, this system was designed to make your life easier. There is a hitch view, a truck-bed view with a zoom-in feature, a surround view, a rear top-down view and a hitch-guidance system.

4. Cargo Space and a High Payload Capacity

Long-bed models of the Silverado 1500 have some of the most cargo space of any truck in this class. You get a maximum cargo space of 89.1 cubic feet here. The maximum payload capacity is an impressive 2,280 pounds. This number can be achieved with a long cargo bed and the 2.7-litter turbocharged engine.

5. Good Handling, Braking and Pedal Performance

One area in which the Silverado shines is in steering and handling. The steering dynamics feel great here. This is enhanced by a fantastic driving position thanks to the well-engineered seats and cabin design. The pedals, especially the brake pedal, feel smooth and high end. Braking power is smooth yet firm. Handling is great, especially with 4X4 models.

6. Excellent Off-Road Capabilities and Performance

Every version of the Silverado 1500 offers pretty good off-road capabilities. Most of the trim levels are available in a four-wheel drive variation. For maximum off-road performance, there's the Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss and the High Country. This gets you a set of skid plates, an automatic-locking rear differential and a 2-speed Autotrac Transfer Case.

There are a number of driving modes with these off-road focused trucks. You can switch to two-wheel drive or into hi and low versions of the four-wheel drive depending on your driving conditions.

7. Best-in-Class Fuel Economy

A Silverado with two-wheel drive and the diesel engine will get you best-in-class fuel efficiency. This setup offers a fuel-economy rating of 23 miles-per-gallon in the city and 33 miles-per-gallon on the highway. These numbers are estimated by the EPA.

8. A Comfortable Interior Cabin

Despite some older design aesthetics, the interior of the Silverado 1500 is quite comfortable. The rear-seat area is especially roomy and comfortable on the Crew Cab models. The seats are well cushioned and supportive. Higher trim levels offer 10-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. Heated and ventilated seats are available, and you get dual-zone automatic climate control.

9. An Easy-To-Use Infotainment System

The infotainment system is both attractive and easy to use. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium package also comes with a navigation system. There's an 8-inch HD, color touchscreen display and Bluetooth technology. This makes it easy to connect your smartphone for hands-free calls or music streaming.

Enhanced Voice Recognition Technology allows for controlling various functions without the need to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are offered here. There's also a Bose Premium Sound System with seven speakers and a Richbass Woofer.

10. The Safety Features and Equipment

Every model of the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes equipped with six airbags. A high-definition rear camera is available. There's an alert to let the driver know about impending collisions and the braking system will engage automatically when needed.

The Silverado 1500 also includes an alert to let the driver known when they're following the car ahead of them too closely. Another system lets them know when a vehicle has entered blind-spots. Chevrolet's Teen Driver technology is included as well.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – The Cons

1. The Interior Design Is Dated

While the exterior of the Silverado 1500 has seen some updates over the years, the interior design has stayed the same for a very long time. If you need the most modern truck on the block, this isn't it. Truck owners, however, are usually more concerned about performance specs than modernity. The Silverado may look old on the inside, but it definitely won't disappoint when it comes to performance.

2. There Are Some Cheap Materials on the Inside

Continuing with the criticism of the interior, there are some cheap plastics, trim and upholstery on the base models. Everything is well constructed, but the quality of the materials themselves leaves something to be desired. Still, if you buy a base trim primarily as a work truck, this won't matter much at all.

3. The Harsh Ride Quality

This is something that pickup trucks have struggled with since the first ones rolled off the assembly line decades ago. This is a truck that rides like an old truck. It can be stiff and even jarring if you drive over a pothole or some off-road debris. There are competing models in this class that do a better job of providing a smooth ride.

4. Less High-Tech Features Than the Competition

While there is plenty of modern technology in the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, other companies are doing better in this category. This is especially true of the Ford F-150 line. The Silverado 1500 could use a few more driver-assists and modern convenience features. It's not terrible, they're just lagging behind the competition a bit here.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in North America for several years now. It's the top competition for the latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Like the Silverado, the 1500 comes in a wide variety of configurations and with numerous different powertrain options. When equipped with their most powerful engines, the Ford does beat out Chevy with more torque and horsepower.

Ford's F-150 can haul more weight too, but the Chevy has more space for cargo in its bed. The new Multi-Flex Tailgate also adds some versatility to the Silverado 1500 that the F-150 is missing. It makes the Silverado 1500 a better work vehicle that's easier to load and unload. The interior designs, features and technology are comparable between these two trucks.

Even where the Ford does better, it's not too significant of a difference. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is cheaper at every comparable trim level. This will make it the much better bargain for most buyers.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ram 1500

Previously produced under the Dodge brand name, the Ram 1500 is another one of the big-three American trucks. While the base prices are similar, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is just a little bit cheaper. The Chevy has more cargo space in back. It also has higher towing and hauling capacities.

When comparing base engines, the Ram has more horsepower with the Chevy offering more torque for better work-duty performance. When comparing their most powerful engines, the Silverado produces 420 horsepower while the Ram 1500 only cranks out 395 horses. Both vehicles offer nice infotainment systems and convenience features, with the Chevy having a slightly better interior quality.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 outperforms the Ram 1500 in every category that really counts. It's also a slightly less expensive truck at almost every trim level. This makes the Silverado, once again, the much better bargain.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is an excellent full-size truck that can do anything you would want a pickup to do. Towing, hauling and off-road performance are all strong no matter which powertrain and trim level you choose. This is an attractive and versatile vehicle that works great as a daily driver. There is plenty of room in the Crew-Cab models to make this your family hauler. The customization options and impressive capabilities make this a fantastic work vehicle too.