2020 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

When the 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrived for evaluation, it garnered mixed reactions, even from young bystanders. My 12-year-old daughter was quick to note that it looked like a minivan at the front and a pickup truck at the back. This peculiar design fusion pointed to a significant image problem for Honda. Trucks are expected to look rugged and tough, attributes that appeared compromised in the Ridgeline's minivan-like façade. The original Ridgeline, with its odd but truck-like design, seemed to hit a middle ground that the second-generation miscalculated.

Honda made several aesthetic and functional changes to the 2020 Ridgeline. The new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed, and Honda Sensing advanced driving assistance systems became standard. The Ridgeline's infotainment system now featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adding a modern touch. Enhancements included ambient lighting, a remote-locking tailgate, wider rear doors, and optional LED headlights. The trim levels—Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition—remained, with a base price starting at $33,900. The test truck, an RTL-E without any additional options, retailed for $43,140, including destination charges.

Inside, the Ridgeline's cabin mirrored that of the Honda Pilot, equipped with high-quality materials such as perforated leather upholstery, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. Despite its luxurious interior compared to other midsize trucks, it fell short in distinctiveness given its resemblance to a suburban school shuttle.

Shifting focus to the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, its broad range of configurations was immediately apparent. With three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight distinctive trim levels, it catered to varied consumer preferences. Six engine options, coupled with six-, eight-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions, and the standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel drive (4WD), offered versatility.

Our test truck featured a crew cab, short bed, and LTZ trim, one slot below the top-tier model. The $995 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbodiesel engine provided considerable power and efficiency. Added packages, including the LTZ Premium Package and Technology Package, elevated the total MSRP to $61,165.

Externally, the Silverado boasted a rugged and commanding appearance, with boxy lines, flared fenders, and a blunt nose. The Northsky Blue paint, chrome trims, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels added a scintillating touch.

However, the Silverado’s aesthetic charm diminished upon opening the driver’s door. Inside, silver accents attempted a utilitarian vibe, but the decade-old feel was hard to ignore. Glossy plastics, large panel joints, inelegant control panels, and small screens underlined a lack of refinement and modernity.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline's performance revolved around its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it provided seamless power delivery although the transmission necessitated refinements over time. The electronic transmission controls on the center console might have posed a learning curve for traditionalists.

The Ridgeline’s handling benefited from Honda’s Intelligent Variable Torque Management all-wheel drive (i-VTM4), standard on higher trims, enhancing ground clearance to 7.9 inches. This system could allocate 70% of power to the rear axle and transfer 100% to a single rear wheel, contributing to torque-vectoring and improved drivability.

With a variety of drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and the Intelligent Traction Management system's Snow, Mud, and Sand modes—the Ridgeline demonstrated surprising off-road competence. It offered a decent off-roading experience and solid on-road comfort due to its independent rear suspension and all-wheel drive system. Fuel economy stood at an impressive 21 mpg combined, with real-world testing averaging 20.9 mpg. The all-wheel-drive model could tow up to 5,000 pounds and had a payload capacity of 1,580 pounds.

For the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine was a standout, delivering 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and a robust 460 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,500 rpm. With a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Silverado achieved admirable fuel efficiency, averaging 22.6 mpg combined, slightly below its 24-mpg EPA rating.

Chevrolet increased the Duramax’s towing capacity to 9,500 pounds with 4WD and payload capacity to 1,870 pounds. While not matching the Silverado's maximum towing and payload ratings of 13,300 pounds and 2,280 pounds, respectively, the Duramax provided a harmonious balance of power and efficiency. The Z71 Off-Road Package, even without off-roading intentions, was recommended for its superior suspension control. The standard suspension, although firm in urban use, seemed less stable on highways and rough terrains, making the Z71 package a beneficial addition.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline effectively combined the comfort of a Honda Pilot with the utility of an open 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed, instead of a third-row seat and enclosed area. The front seats, shared with the Pilot, offered comfort and adjustable armrests, although they sometimes intruded on space. Heated front seats were standard on all trims except the Sport, and the driver’s seat featured 10-way power adjustment, lacking only in ventilation.

The rear seating resembled other midsize trucks, offering less legroom but compensating with comfort and padded seatbacks. Despite limited legroom, the rear cabin provided air conditioning vents, and in-cab storage was prodigious, enhancing practicality.

The composite cargo bed stood out with its 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk, complete with a drain plug for versatile use. The tailgate had dual functions—traditional drop and side-swing—and included features like a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet and truck-bed audio system, promoting convenience and entertainment.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's interior was expansive. Its wide, flat seats were supportive, featuring 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the absence of power running boards made access cumbersome.

Storage space in the Silverado, while extensive, lacked innovation. Despite dual dashboard glove compartments, other areas were relatively small, and opportunities like door panel shelving were missed. The rear seats offered ample space, with heated outboard cushions and a power sliding rear window. However, storage within rear seatbacks felt insecure due to the absence of locks.

Chevrolet claimed the deepest and roomiest bed in the segment, boasting practical features like CornerStep rear bumpers and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The Multi-Flex tailgate, available as a late-introduction option, offered six configurations, enhancing cargo management.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline came standard with the Display Audio system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen. While lacking knobs and buttons, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's voice-recognition required specific prompts, which could be slow, making steering wheel controls crucial. RTL-E and Black Edition trims added SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker premium sound system. However, user-friendliness remained an issue.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, despite smaller 7-inch and 8-inch screens compared to rivals, provided a robust infotainment experience with the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3. The system impressed with quick response times, modern graphics, and high definition display. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot available through a subscription.

The LTZ trim offered the full suite of features, including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, wireless charging, and a 7-speaker Bose system. The Silverado also featured a comprehensive head-up display (HUD) and up to 15 camera views for various needs, though the overall system fell short against competitors in premium sound quality and functionality.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline stepped up its safety game by making Honda Sensing standard across all trims. This suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Despite being helpful, some systems, like the lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control, needed refinement. The Ridgeline earned high marks in crash tests, receiving top ratings from IIHS with an "acceptable" notch for the small overlap frontal impact on the front passenger side, and five-star ratings from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover rating.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 didn't meet the same safety standards. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" in front passenger protection during small-overlap frontal impacts. NHTSA awarded it an overall four-star rating, downplayed by its frontal-impact performance. Safety features varied between standard and optional, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were upgrades, and the Safety Alert Seat added a unique touch. However, missing features like stop-and-go capability for adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance were noticeable omissions.