For more than 40 years, the Chevy Silverado was the No.2-selling vehicle in America. It has since dropped to No.3, but in the second quarter of this year, Silverado edged ahead of F-150 and (for that quarter) back into the No.2 slot, behind Ram.
But at No.2 or No.3, Silverado remains a leader on the American truck scene as it has been since 1918. Silverado launched as a trim level for Chevrolet C/K pick-ups and Suburbans in 1975, before becoming its own line in 1999.
Two years after a full redesign, Silverado for 2021 offers a truckload of new mechanical and technological updates, including the addition of an available Multi-Flex Tailgate, impressive trailering capacity and enhanced tech.
The Multi-Flex Tailgate offers Silverado customers six unique functions, allowing for easier access to bed cargo, enhanced loading solutions and a standing workstation. With a weight capacity of 375 pounds, different configurations for the Multi-Flex Tailgate activate using a key fob or two tailgate-mounted buttons, one for the full gate and another for the second-tier loading and storage options. Combined with the Silverado Durabed – featuring impressive cargo space, LED lighting, a 120-volt outlet and 12 fixed tie-downs – Multi-Flex makes the 2021 model the most functional and capable Silverado ever. The Multi-Flex Tailgate will be available in early 2021 on all new Silverado 1500 models.
The 2021 Silverado features increased conventional trailering capability for two of its most efficient engines, compared to the 2020 model year. The 2.7L Turbo adds thousands of pounds of trailering capacity to every configuration. The popular Crew Cab Short Box model increases its rating by 2,500 pounds to a max capacity of 9,300 pounds in two-wheel drive. A newly available Regular Cab Long Box model provides the maximum 2.7L tow rating of 9,600 pounds and ups Silverado’s overall max payload to 2,280 pounds in 2WD.
The 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel adds an additional 1,900 pounds of trailering capacity to nearly every configuration and provides the maximum capacity of 9,500 pounds to 2WD models
Enhanced Trailering Technology for 2021 adds up to 15 unique camera views – the most of any competitor – to help make trailering simpler. 2021 models also offer new or enhanced trailering technology, including Trailer Length for lane changing maneuvers; Jack-Knife Alert tracking the position of the compatible trailer in relation to the vehicle and provides an alert if a potential jack-knife situation is imminent; Cargo Bed View enhancement; Rear Trailer View now features guidelines and Trailer-Angle Indicator; Rear Side View enhancement with a split view and multiple trim and package upgrades.
Rugged, bold and not afraid to be boxy, my 2021 Silverado 1500 LTZ with a Crew Cab was outfitted with a short bed. The 5-foot-8-inch box, brought exterior measurements to 231.7 inches in length (the 6-foot-6-inch box adds 9.5 inches and the 8-foot box is not available with the Crew Cab). Silverado’s wide body is 81.2 inches wide and a tall 75.5 inches high (for the 4x4), and some trims are as much as 78.4 inches high. My test truck has a 147.4-inch wheelbase – some trims go 157.4. Ground clearance is 8.9 inches and step-in height measures 22.2 inches, while the Silverado LTZ’s base curb weight ranges from 4940 to 5090 with the 5.3-liter engine and 4x4 configuration that were set up on my truck.
Silverado provides six power options, varying from 6-speed to 8-speed to 10-speed transmission: a 4.3-liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, 285hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, rated at 16mpg/city and 21mpg/highway; 5.3-liter V-8 and six-speed, 355hp and 383 lb-ft of torque 15/city, 21/highway; 2.7-liter Turbo and an eight-speed automatic, 310hp and 348 lb-ft of torque, 20/city, 23/highway; 5.3-liter V-8 and an eight-speed automatic or 10-speed automatic, 355hp and 383 lb-ft of torque 16/city and 22/highway; 6.2-liter V-8 with a 10-speed automatic, 420hp and 460 lb-ft of torque 16/city, 20/highway; and a 3.0-liter I-6 turbo-diesel with a 10-speed automatic, 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, and rated at 23 and 33mpg.
My test Silverado LTZ came with the eight-speed 5.3 and it was responsive and powerful. Handling trucklike, but smaller than it appears, the Silverado attacks hills and gently moves in and out of traffic. From a speed perspective, we completed a zero-to-60mph sprint in 6.6 seconds and a quarter-mile in 16.1 (hand-timed). Parking takes strategy due to true size and blind spots, but on the road and soft road, Silverado’s independent coil-over-shock front suspension with twin-tube shocks coupled with a solid axle rear with semi-elliptic, variable-rate two-stage multileaf springs and splayed twin-tube shocks give driver’s road feel
EPA-rated at 16mpg/city and 22mpg/hwy with my AWD set-up my quick-accelerating tests complied an average of 19.9 mpg.
Silverado’s well-appointed, comfortable, safety-focused and tech-filled cabin is roomy, quiet and functional, with a sturdy cab structure. It is not left wanting for much infotainment. Its Crew Cab provides 43.0 inches of front headroom with 40.1 in the rear. Legroom is spacious, at 44.5 inches up front and 40.1 in the rear, while shoulder room measures 66.0 and 65.2 inches.
Silverado 1500 for 2021 is priced for and decked out for varied tastes and wallets. In long, standard and short beds with regular, double and crew cabs, with six power options, and in 2WD and 4WD, Silverado starts at $30,995. In eight trims, topping off with the High Country starting at $59,095, my LTZ was seventh up with a 5.3-liter V-8 staring at $53,095 with a short bed and 4WD.

Cherry Tintcoat exterior paint mated to a Jet Black perforated leather interior added $495. The LTZ Premium package, discounted to $2660, for power sliding rear window with rear defogger, front buckets, power sunroof front center console, polished 20-inch wheels, 275/60R20 all-season, black wall tires Iand more. The Technology Package added $2070 for a rear camera mirror, 8-inch diagonal digital driver information center, HD Surround Vision and head-Up display. Four-inch chrome round assist steps added $1395. Destination and Freight charges of $1695 put the sticker at $59,370, but there are total cash allowance discounts of up to $1500, available, and my test truck came to $58,370, so check with your local dealer about incentives.
You can expect to see 100 years of Chevrolet trucks and all-things GM, stretching more than a century, from antique to classic to present and future, at the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals, June 24-25 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.
> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>