2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a few years prior, which included a new front end with bolder details, LED lighting, and larger dual exhaust outlets. These changes gave the Ridgeline a more rugged appearance, although the optional Honda Performance Development packages were criticized for their oversized fender flares. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition, all featuring a V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and an i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system. The interior, shared with the Honda Passport, was noted for its quality, comfort, and sensible layout, despite its design dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado embraced a bold, aggressive design inspired by the Camaro, with rakish headlights and a sharply angled grille. The interior followed similar design trends, featuring circular climate control vents and a clean, ergonomic dashboard layout. The Colorado was available in five trims: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2. Even the base WT model offered modern features like a digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added more convenience features, while off-road models like the Trail Boss and ZR2 offered enhanced capabilities and unique styling elements.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport, offering a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system, providing sophisticated driving dynamics on pavement. The Ridgeline had a payload capacity of 694 kilograms and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Its unibody construction limited its off-road capabilities, but it excelled in ride and handling, offering a comfortable and nimble driving experience. The Ridgeline achieved a fuel economy of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a road trip, showcasing its efficiency among midsize pickups.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both displacing 2.4 litres. The base engine produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Turbo Max version delivered 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Colorado offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,492 kilograms and a payload capacity of 775 kilograms. The ZR2 Bison trim, designed for off-road capability, featured Multimatic DSSV dampers for exceptional shock absorption. On-road, the Colorado provided a well-rounded driving experience, with a firmer ride due to its off-road suspension but generally comfortable handling.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized functionality with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, shared with the Honda Passport, offered comfortable seating and a practical layout. The rear seat provided decent space, with a flip-up cushion for additional cargo room. The Ridgeline's 1,625 mm truck bed featured a dual-action tailgate and a scratch-resistant composite cargo bed. It also offered a lockable, weatherproof 206-litre trunk under the load floor, adding to its practicality.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was available in a four-door quad cab with a 1,567-millimetre bed. The interior offered a car-like seating position, providing comfort for long trips. Front-row space was ample, but second-row legroom was tight for taller passengers. The Colorado's bed featured high walls and a floor, with larger bed steps for easier access. The ZR2 Bison trim had a spare tire mounted in the bed, reducing usable space. Despite this, the Colorado's design allowed for practical use, with features like bottle holders in the doors and a user-friendly layout for controls.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's infotainment system was dated, with an 8-inch touchscreen and basic features like Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation and premium audio, but the system was criticized for slow loading times and a lack of modern design. The user interface was simple, but the lack of a tuning knob and natural voice recognition made it less user-friendly. The wireless smartphone charger was also noted for its inconsistent performance.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado featured an 11.3-inch touchscreen with a logical layout and hard-button controls. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a digital dock for easy navigation between menus. The system included a digital home button and a volume dial for straightforward operation. Standard tech features included an 11-inch digital instrument panel, USB ports, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims added wireless charging and additional USB ports, enhancing connectivity and convenience.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard in Canada. The Ridgeline received favourable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and top marks from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Colorado earned four stars for frontal crash testing and five stars for side crash testing from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover rating.