“If you are looking for a good vehicle for hauling a big rig camper consider a Silverado 2500 with the 6.6 engine.”
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is mostly a carryover after its 2020 redesign. The headline change is that the Custom trim gained the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel powertrain.
About the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
4th Silverado HD generation, second model year after the 2020 redesign and before the 2024 heavy refresh.
Chevrolet positions the Silverado 2500 HD as a heavy-duty pickup built first around real work: towing, hauling and trailer control. Its core pitch is straightforward power, a choice of gas or Duramax diesel strength, a highly usable Durabed, and towing technology that helps make large trailers less intimidating. Compared with rivals, the Silverado HD leans on big-truck capability, simple functionality and a broad trim spread that runs from basic jobsite truck to near-luxury tow rig.
The lineup runs from the job-focused Work Truck to the comfort-oriented High Country. The LT adds useful towing equipment and a larger touchscreen, the LTZ brings leather and stronger trailering technology, and High Country combines navigation, Bose audio, ventilated front seats and a power tailgate.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The Custom trim gained the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel powertrain. The standard 6.6-liter gas V8 and the rest of the core engine lineup carried over.
Safety
The surround-view camera system became standard on High Country. Other driver-assistance features became more widely offered on lower trims, but none became standard across the full lineup.
Tech
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and additional trailering technology reached more of the lineup, though there was no range-wide touchscreen or interface upgrade.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter / V8, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter / V8, 6.6 Liter | V8, 6.6 Liter / V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter / V8, 6.6 Liter | V8, Turbo Diesel, 6.6 Liter / V8, 6.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 10-Spd Allison | Automatic, 10-Spd Allison | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 6-Spd HD w/Overdrive | Automatic, 10-Spd Allison |
| Drivetrain | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Diesel / Gas | Diesel / Gas | Gas / Diesel | Diesel / Gas | Diesel / Gas |
| Horsepower | 401–445 hp | 401–445 hp | 401–445 hp | 401–445 hp | 401–445 hp |
| Torque | 464–910 lb-ft | 464–910 lb-ft | 464–910 lb-ft | 464–910 lb-ft | 464–910 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 14500–18500 lb | 14500–18500 lb | 14500 lb | 14500–18500 lb | 18500 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 35.2–43.4 in | 35.2–43.4 in | 35.2–43.4 in | 35.2–43.4 in | 43.4 in |
| Seats | 3–6 | 6 | 6 | 3–6 | 5 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 4 | 4 | 2–4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | |||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Cruise Control | |||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Park Assist | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Fog Lights | |||||
| HID Headlights | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||
| Power Mirrors | |||||
| Power Side Steps | |||||
| Side Steps | |||||
| Bluetooth | |||||
| Head-Up Display | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| SD Card Slot | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Subwoofer | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| USB Ports | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||||
| Tilt Wheel | |||||
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a redesign?
No. The 2021 Silverado 2500 is the second model year following the full 2020 redesign, so its body, chassis and basic lineup largely carry over.
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The biggest change is the addition of the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel powertrain to the Custom trim. Most of the truck otherwise carries over from 2020.
Did the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 get new engines?
No new engine joined the overall lineup. The 6.6-liter gas V8 remained standard and the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel continued, but the diesel expanded to the Custom trim for 2021.
Does the 2021 Silverado 2500 High Country have a standard surround-view camera?
Yes. The surround-view camera system became standard on the 2021 High Country, giving the driver multiple exterior views to help with parking and trailer positioning.
Is the 2021 Silverado 2500 meaningfully different from the 2020 model?
Not for most trims. The 2021 model mainly broadens access to the diesel engine, towing technology, wireless phone integration and safety equipment rather than changing the truck’s basic design or mechanical setup.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
4.2
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
(117 reviews)
“great build quality and comfortable interior, high quality components for a trustworthy vehicle”
“This is a very capable vehicle for towing or driving off road, and it looks great too!”