2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets up to 21 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 27 mpg with the diesel, across 33 EPA-tested versions.
EPA fuel economy
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · 33 EPA-tested versionsBest gas version
21MPG combined
20 city 23 highway
$2,950 a year to fuel15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas)
2.7L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic
Best diesel version
27MPG combined
23 city 33 highway
$3,500 a year to fuel15,000 miles a year at EPA's $6.13 a gallon (diesel)
3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel · RWD · 10-speed automatic
Best version costs $6,500 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,950 to $4,850 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.
Fewer complaints than a typical Silverado 1500 year
The 2021 drew 174 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 176 for a typical Silverado 1500 year.
No Silverado 1500 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2018. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Every Silverado 1500 year rankedThe 2021 Silverado 1500's recalls and problems
Every 2021 Silverado 1500 version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | |||
2.7L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD (also Silverado 2WD) |
21 mpg | 20 / 23 | $2,950 |
2.7L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD (also Silverado 4WD) |
20 mpg | 19 / 22 | $3,100 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · auto start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
19 mpg | 16 / 22 | $3,300 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic · rated 19 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
19 mpg | 17 / 23 | $3,300 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · auto start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss |
18 mpg | 16 / 21 | $3,450 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · no start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
18 mpg | 15 / 21 | $3,450 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic · with Cylinder Deactivation
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
18 mpg | 16 / 22 | $3,450 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · auto start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD · Premium fuel |
18 mpg | 16 / 21 | $4,300 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
17 mpg | 15 / 20 | $3,650 |
4.3L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
17 mpg | 16 / 21 | $3,650 |
4.3L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD |
17 mpg | 15 / 19 | $3,650 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · no start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss |
17 mpg | 15 / 21 | $3,650 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · rated 17 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
17 mpg | 15 / 20 | $3,650 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Active Fuel Management
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
17 mpg | 15 / 21 | $3,650 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic · rated 17 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
17 mpg | 15 / 22 | $3,650 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · auto start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss (also Silverado 4WD TrailBoss) · Premium fuel |
17 mpg | 15 / 19 | $4,550 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · no start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD · Premium fuel |
17 mpg | 15 / 20 | $4,550 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss |
16 mpg | 14 / 18 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD · Flex-fuel (E85) |
16 mpg | 14 / 18 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss · rated 16 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss |
16 mpg | 14 / 18 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · rated 16 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
16 mpg | 14 / 20 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
16 mpg | 14 / 21 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
16 mpg | 14 / 21 | $3,900 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD · Flex-fuel (E85) |
16 mpg | 15 / 19 | $3,900 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · no start-stop
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss · Premium fuel |
16 mpg | 14 / 19 | $4,850 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD |
15 mpg | 14 / 16 | $4,150 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 15 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD |
15 mpg | 14 / 17 | $4,150 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss · rated 15 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD TrailBoss |
15 mpg | 13 / 18 | $4,150 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 15 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD |
15 mpg | 14 / 18 | $4,150 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 14 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD |
14 mpg | 13 / 17 | $4,450 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 14 mpg
EPA listing: Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD |
14 mpg | 13 / 18 | $4,450 |
| Diesel | |||
3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel · RWD · 10-speed automatic Best
EPA listing: Silverado 2WD |
27 mpg | 23 / 33 | $3,500 |
3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel · 4WD · 10-speed automatic
EPA listing: Silverado 4WD |
24 mpg | 22 / 26 | $3,950 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas, $5.01 a gallon for premium gas, and $6.13 a gallon for diesel. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
2.7L turbo 4-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,857 | $14,286 |
2.7L turbo 4-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic | $3,000 | $15,000 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · auto start-stop | $3,158 | $15,789 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic · rated 19 mpg | $3,158 | $15,789 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · no start-stop | $3,333 | $16,667 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · auto start-stop | $3,333 | $16,667 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic · with Cylinder Deactivation | $3,333 | $16,667 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · auto start-stop | $4,175 | $20,875 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic | $3,529 | $17,647 |
4.3L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,529 | $17,647 |
4.3L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis | $3,529 | $17,647 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · no start-stop | $3,529 | $17,647 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · rated 17 mpg | $3,529 | $17,647 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Active Fuel Management | $3,529 | $17,647 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 8-speed automatic · rated 17 mpg | $3,529 | $17,647 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · no start-stop | $4,421 | $22,103 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · auto start-stop | $4,421 | $22,103 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · rated 16 mpg | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss · rated 16 mpg | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 8-speed automatic | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) | $3,750 | $18,750 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic | $3,750 | $18,750 |
6.2L 8-cyl · 4WD · 10-speed automatic · TrailBoss · no start-stop | $4,697 | $23,484 |
4.3L 6-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis | $4,000 | $20,000 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · TrailBoss · rated 15 mpg | $4,000 | $20,000 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 15 mpg | $4,000 | $20,000 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 15 mpg | $4,000 | $20,000 |
5.3L 8-cyl · 4WD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 14 mpg | $4,286 | $21,429 |
5.3L 8-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic · Cab Chassis · rated 14 mpg | $4,286 | $21,429 |
3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel · RWD · 10-speed automatic | $3,406 | $17,028 |
3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel · 4WD · 10-speed automatic | $3,831 | $19,156 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 18 to 21 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2019. Hybrid: 21 to 22 mpg (2010 to 2013); highest in 2010.
- Best gas version
- Best hybrid version
2021: gas 21 mpg · hybrid not offeredTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid version |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18 | 22 |
| 2011 | 18 | 21 |
| 2012 | 18 | 21 |
| 2013 | 18 | 21 |
| 2014 | 20 | – |
| 2015 | 20 | – |
| 2016 | 20 | – |
| 2017 | 20 | – |
| 2018 | 20 | – |
| 2019 | 21 | – |
| 2020 | 21 | – |
| 2021 | 21 | – |
| 2022 | 20 | – |
| 2023 | 20 | – |
| 2024 | 20 | – |
| 2025 | 19 | – |
| 2026 | 20 | – |
Every Silverado 1500 year's ratings in one table
How the 2021 Silverado 1500 compares
2021 full-size pickups covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2021 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 This page Best: diesel |
27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: diesel |
26 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 |
Best: diesel |
26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 |
Best: hybrid |
25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,500 |
Best: gas |
15 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 |
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- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500MPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side
2021 Silverado 1500 recalls and complaints
Questions
Does 4WD lower the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's gas mileage?
Sometimes. On versions that differ only in drive, the gap ranges from 0 to 3 mpg combined: the 3.0L turbo 6-cyl diesel gets 27 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 24 with 4WD.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 need premium gas?
Some versions do. EPA lists the 6.2L 8-cyl versions on premium, the diesel runs on diesel fuel, and the rest use regular.
How does the 2021 Silverado 1500's MPG compare with the 2020?
For 2021, the best gas version is rated 21 mpg, the same as the year before and the best diesel version is rated 27 mpg, the same as the year before.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.