2021 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500HD

History/Overview

The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 is the brand’s most capable pickup truck aimed at the consumer side of the segment. Chevy redesigned the Silverado 3500 last year.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For 2021, the Silverado 3500 gets a higher maximum towing capacity, and new available technology aimed at making towing easier.

Available Trims

Chevrolet makes the Silverado 3500 in WT (work truck), LT, LTZ, and High Country trims. You can get a regular, double or crew cab body with a long cargo bed, or a crew cab with a standard bed size. Engine options are a pair of 6.6L V8s, one a naturally aspirated gasser and the other a turbodiesel. Gas trucks use a six-speed automatic, and diesels get a 10-speed. Rear- and four-wheel drive are available, along with a choice of single or dual rear wheel axles.

Standard Features

WT trim’s exterior features include 18-inch steel wheels and tires, black bumpers/mirrors/door handles, a locking tailgate, and trailer hitch receiver and wiring, tire pressure monitoring, and hitch guidance.

Inside, WT has a 12-volt power outlet, a 3.5-inch driver info display, a colour infotainment touchscreen, tilt steering, power door locks/windows, rear seat reminder, and vinyl seats.

LT adds power-adjustable side mirrors, aluminum wheels, body-colour door handles, easy-lift tailgate, a 4.2-inch driver info screen, carpeted floors, a compass, cruise control, keyless entry, and cloth upholstery.

LTZ gains LED headlights/fog lights/taillights, stainless steel exterior trim, power-folding/auto-dimming side mirrors, two 120-volt power outlets, dual-zone automatic A/C, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, a hitch-view camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, passive keyless entry, leather steering wheel trim, tilt-and-telescopic steering, a rear window defogger, remote engine start, perforated leather upholstery, satellite radio, and wireless smartphone projection.

High Country trim’s additions are 20-inch wheels, chrome side steps, body-colour bumpers, LED cargo bed lighting, power tailgate, a power sliding rear window, an 8.0-inch driver info display, a cargo bed camera, navigation, front and rear park assist, front bucket seats, surround-view cameras, heated rear seats, blind spot monitoring, lane change alert, rear cross traffic alert, ventilated front seats, and wireless smartphone charging.

Key Options

The LT convenience packages add niceties like a 10-way power driver’s seat, passive keyless entry, rear window defogger, telescopic steering, a heated steering wheel, and LED fog lights. An LT True North group further adds front and rear park assist, blind spot monitor, lane change alert, and rear cross traffic warning.

Various LT packages add LED headlights. A Z71 group brings off-road upgrades, and there’s a safety package, too.

The LTZ premium pack bundles a power rear window, front bucket seats, a rear camera mirror, forward collision warning with automatic braking, automatic high beams, navigation, and 20-inch wheels.

To High Country, you can add a tech package with the rear camera mirror and a head-up display. A safety pack adds collision warning/auto braking, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning; a deluxe package builds on that with a rear camera mirror, head-up display, bed-view camera, surround-view cameras, and a fifth-wheel towing prep package.

Fuel Economy

Natural Resources Canada classifies the Silverado 3500 as a commercial vehicle, and doesn’t require Chevrolet to provide fuel consumption estimates.

Competition

With the Silverado 3500, Chevrolet competes with the Ford F-350, GMC Sierra 3500, and Ram 3500.