2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline featured a unibody platform, similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport, which contrasted with the body-on-frame construction typical of most other pickup trucks. This innovative design gave the Ridgeline increased rigidity, albeit with a conservative styling. The truck’s snub nose, stemming from its platform designed for front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, was a clear giveaway. Its rear three-quarter view maintained a classic pickup look, with vertical taillights, a prominent badge, and dual exhausts.

The Ridgeline’s front-end styling underwent changes in 2021 to align it more with conventional trucks. The grille was made blockier and more upright, enhancing its truck-like appearance. The 2022 model also offered Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages, which included features like fender flares and bronze or black 18-inch alloy wheels, adding a bit of visual flair. Our test vehicle, the Ridgeline Black Edition, emphasized a darker aesthetic with Berlina Black paint and matching wheels and exterior trim.

Inside, the Ridgeline boasted a simple, no-nonsense design with high-quality fit and finish expected from Honda. The Black Edition test vehicle came well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the excessive use of piano black trim, which was prone to smudging and scratching, was not particularly favorable.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss flaunted a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, a deeply sculpted hood, and a popular blacked-out look that gave it a rugged off-road-ready appearance. The redesign for 2023 was well-executed, with a balanced stance and expressive detailing without going overboard. Camaro-inspired elements showed up in the interior with dashboard toggle switches and round outboard air vents.

However, the base WT and Trail Boss trims had a predominantly gray front fascia and an interior that felt depressingly cheap. The Trail Boss, at least, was equipped with a purposeful front skid plate missing from the WT. The interior's lack of color contrast and the extensive use of plastic were downers. Still, higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2 featured more refined cabins and additional paint accents.

Overall, the Colorado Trail Boss featured several desirable optional packages, such as a spray-on bedliner, the Advanced Trailering Package, the Skid Plate Package, and the Trail Boss Convenience Package II, bringing the MSRP to $42,150.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came with a single powertrain option: a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This powerhouse generated 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. While its towing capacity maxed out at 5,000 pounds, it paled compared to rivals like the Ford Ranger and diesel variants of the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, its payload ratings were respectable, with the RTL-E and Black Edition capable of carrying up to 1,509 pounds.

Driving the Ridgeline unladen revealed the advantages of a naturally aspirated V6 in an era dominated by turbocharged engines. The V6 provided ample power, but the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to respond, detracting from the driving experience. The engine start-stop system further exacerbated this sluggishness. However, the Ridgeline’s ride quality and handling were impressive, thanks to its unibody platform, fully independent suspension, and torque vectoring AWD. These features conferred a luxurious feel, superior handling precision, and a quiet cabin, unlike traditional pickups.

Off-road, though, the Ridgeline’s design limitations showed. With a maximum ground clearance of 7.64 inches and no dedicated off-road variant, it lagged behind competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

On the other hand, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was equipped exclusively with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine across its trims. The engine's output varied: the WT and LT trims delivered 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 trims generated a robust 310 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The ZR2 matched the high horsepower but offered an even more impressive 430 pound-feet of torque.

The Colorado came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The WT and LT trims offered an Autotrac 4WD system with a single-speed transfer case, while the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 boasted a two-speed transfer case. Trail Boss and ZR2 models also included suspension lifts and wider front tracks for enhanced off-road performance. The ZR2 featured exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers and mud-terrain tires, making it the epitome of off-road capability within the Colorado lineup.

Chevy equipped the Colorado with up to five driving modes, including Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, Terrain, and Baja (exclusive to ZR2). Hill descent control was standard starting from the Trail Boss trim. Our Trail Boss test truck performed admirably off-road, with minimal rear-wheel slip and a contributing Off-Road driving mode. Despite its robust suspension, the truck took hits to its underbody skid plate, indicating its 9.5 inches of ground clearance weren’t quite enough for the toughest terrains.

On pavement, the Colorado was surprisingly quiet and smooth, effortlessly handling broken concrete and other surface anomalies. The Trail Boss’s structural rigidity minimized wiggles and creaks, except for the driver’s door panel. Its steering effort and responsive brakes made it easy to drive, though the Trail Boss’s 2.7-liter turbo engine lacked the zest and engaging engine note of competitors like the Ford Ranger’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo. Fuel economy was also a sore point, as we averaged 17 mpg during tests, falling short of the EPA’s 19 mpg rating.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline offered a single configuration: a four-door crew cab with a 64-inch bed. This setup provided a good balance of passenger and cargo space. The bed featured a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a unique feature for those messy or wet items. The trunk also included a slot for the spare tire, making it easy to access. Additionally, the Ridgeline’s bed could carry 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood between the wheel wells, and the Dual-Action Tailgate could open down or to the side.

Inside, the Ridgeline maximized storage with under-seat compartments and sensibly laid-out controls. The cabin also felt roomy due to a wider stance and lower cowl height, providing a more spacious feel compared to rivals like the Toyota Tacoma. However, it didn’t have a clear edge on paper in terms of headroom or legroom measurements.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, meanwhile, offered comfortable seating for four. Squeezing a fifth person in the back was feasible but uncomfortable for long durations. Our test truck featured cloth upholstery that attracted pet hair and had an eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, although the front passenger lacked height adjustment.

The back seat provided adequate space for six-footers, with decent legroom thanks to softly padded front seatbacks. The Trail Boss’s air conditioning performed admirably during hot weather, cooling the cabin quickly. Soft-touch surfaces were limited to armrests, and interior storage was sparse, with the door panels, glove compartment, and center console offering minimal options. The 41.9 cubic-foot bed was slightly over five feet long and included the Convenience Package II's EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate, along with a StowFlex storage panel for additional usability.

When comparing cargo capabilities, the Ridgeline lagged slightly behind the Colorado in payload, with a maximum of 1,583 pounds depending on the trim, compared to the Colorado’s better storage solutions and up to a 500-pound-supporting Mid-Position tailgate feature.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. While not cutting-edge, the system’s simplicity and ease of use were appreciated. The graphics were dated, but analog controls for vital functions were available, ensuring a fuss-free experience. SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation were offered on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado outshone the Ridgeline in terms of technology. Every Colorado came with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. Digital instrumentation displayed on an 8-inch screen, or an 11-inch screen in the ZR2. Google-based tech added natural voice recognition, updated navigation, and access to various apps, enhancing usability. The system also supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar, Chevrolet connected services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless charging was available, and higher trims offered a seven-speaker Bose audio system.

However, the transition to Google Assistant required an adjustment period, as initial voiced commands sometimes produced unexpected responses. The Colorado also included better trailer-towing technology, including high-definition cameras for easier hitching and additional surround views for off-roading.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received largely positive safety ratings. The IIHS awarded it top "Good" scores in most tests but docked it with an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech but lost points for "Marginal" headlights and an "Average" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover tests.

Safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, comprising automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. RTL-E and Black Edition trims also included automatic high beams and blind-spot monitoring, though a 360-degree camera system was notably absent.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered an extensive array of standard and optional safety features. OnStar provided SOS emergency calling and automatic crash notification, while a Teen Driver system and Buckle to Drive function were also included. Chevy Safety Assist, a standard ADAS package, featured forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Optional ADAS included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with active steering assist, rear cross-traffic and pedestrian alert, and rear parking sensors.

The Colorado’s forward-collision warning system had issues with false alerts, particularly on longer gap settings, but adjusting the gap helped mitigate the problem. Given these glitches, the system may need further refinement.