2021 Chevy Silverado Is Even More Clever Than Its New Tailgate Would Suggest

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado has received multiple mechanical and technological upgrades, like a clever new Multi-Flex tailgate and improved trailering capabilities. It also comes with additional available and standard features.

According to Chevy, the 2021 Silverado will go into production this month and will arrive in showrooms sometime this fall.

Its optional Multi-Flex tailgate comes with six unique functions and can take on a total of 375 lbs (170 kg). You can activate different configurations using a key fob, or two tailgate-mounted buttons. This tailgate will be available early next year on all new Silverado 1500 variants.

Read: GM Full-Size Truck Inventories At “Historically Low Levels” As Demand Surpasses Supply

The 2021 Silverado also happens to be the most functional and capable Silverado ever, with improved trailering capabilities for two of its most efficient engines.

– 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. The 3.0L Duramax engine also receives a $1,500 MSRP price reduction for 2021 models, so customers benefit from both increased towing capacity and industry-leading EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg highway in 2WD at a great value.

As far as the new trailering tech is concerned, it’s the same as on the 2021 GMC Sierra, unveiled last week. Like its sibling, the 2021 Silverado also gets a Trailer Length Indicator, a Jack-Knife Alert, Cargo Bed View enhancement, Rear Trailer View with guidelines and a Trailer-Angle indicator, plus a Rear Side View enhancement providing a split view based on the trailer’s angle – now available while reversing.

Enhanced equipment levels

Custom and Custom Trail Boss specs now feature the Custom Convenience Package and Infotainment Package as standard, which includes the EZ Lift power lock and release tailgate, LED cargo bed lighting, remote start, available SiriusXM radio, available OnStar, and more. These two specs, together with the Work Truck configuration, also offer the 40/20/40 split-bench front seat and a new Safety Confidence Package with Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, steering wheel audio controls, and a 4.2-inch gauge cluster display.

Furthermore, the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss are both available with 20-inch black wheels and Goodyear Territory MT tires, while the LT and RST come standard with the All Star Edition content, which holds the Convenience Package, Trailering Package, and an auto-locking rear differential.

Other novelties include the Convenience Package, Safety Package, and 20-inch polished wheels being available as standard for the LTZ spec, standard wireless phone projection through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the LTZ and High Country (available on LT, LT Trail Boss, and RST), Adaptive Ride Control available on High Country models with 22-inch wheels and three new available packages in the All Star Edition Plus, Texas Edition Plus, and LTZ Premium Texas Edition.

2021 Silverado buyers can also choose between three new exterior colors, all optional: Mosaic Black Metallic, Oxford Brown Metallic, and Cherry Red Tincoat.