2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was built on a unibody platform, making it somewhat unique among pickup trucks, which usually featured body-on-frame construction. This unibody approach resulted in increased rigidity, akin to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport. Despite its innovative engineering, the Ridgeline's styling remained conservative. Its snub nose, a characteristic nod to its platform design aiming for front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, betrayed its crossover roots. From the rear, the truck looked conventional, with vertical taillights and dual exhausts peeking from the bumper.

When it was redesigned for 2021, Honda gave the Ridgeline a more traditional truck look by reshaping its grille to be blockier and more upright. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages could add visual flair with elements such as fender flares and bronze or black alloy wheels, complementing bright colors. The Black Edition model we tested emphasized darkness with its Berlina Black paint, matching wheels, and exterior trim. Inside, the truck boasted a no-nonsense, basic design that felt appropriate for a utility vehicle, with high-quality fit and finish, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exhibited a more divisive exterior design. While Chevy designs of the past, like the split-bar grille from the 1990s and the 2015 remodel, aged well, the latest styling left some undecided. Small headlights set into body panels intruded into the grille, giving it a somewhat awkward aesthetic. The Silverado followed the bold and aggressive line common in Chevrolet's current portfolio, appealing to those who appreciated a robust look.

The Silverado offered multiple appearance packages—Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition—to cater to various stylistic preferences. Inside, the truck was about functionality above all else, featuring straightforward control layouts that differed between trims. The Work Truck (WT) and Custom trims retained pre-facelift interiors with smaller screens and manual controls. Higher trims offered a modern touch with large touchscreens and a fully digital instrument panel. Each trim level introduced different types of upholstery and additional convenience features, aligning comfort with style.

In 2022, the Honda Ridgeline came solely with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Impressive handling and ride quality were major highlights, thanks to its unibody platform. However, its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Ranger and diesel versions of the Chevy Colorado, which could tow up to 7,700 pounds. Payload ratings varied from 1,509 to 1,583 pounds depending on the trim level. While the Ridgeline's naturally aspirated V6 offered good acceleration, its nine-speed transmission was sometimes sluggish, and the start-stop system hampered the driving experience. Off-road capability was limited due to its lower ground clearance and absence of advanced traction management.

By comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided a diverse range of powertrain options. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, generating 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while a 6.2-liter V8 pushed out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. An additional option was the six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine with 305 horsepower and a robust 495 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds when equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 and Max Towing package, offering a maximum payload capacity of 2,260 pounds for the base model. Despite the truck's size, it handled well, performing smoothly as a commuter vehicle and tackling off-road terrains with ease—especially in trims like the Trail Boss and ZR2, which were geared for such adventures.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was only available in a four-door crew cab configuration with a 64-inch bed. It maximized functionality by incorporating a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, making it easy to clean. Unique features like the Dual-Action Tailgate and an in-bed audio system that turned the bed into a speaker set the Ridgeline apart. Additionally, the bed could accommodate 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Inside, the truck provided storage under the rear seats, rear USB ports in higher trims, and a spacious front area with well-designed controls and a large center console.

Conversely, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered various body styles and bed lengths. Standard configurations included regular cab with a standard or long bed, double cab with a standard bed, and crew cab with short or standard beds. Bed lengths ranged from 5 feet 8 inches to 8 feet. The regular cab was restricted to more utilitarian trims like WT and Custom, featuring a front bench seat. The double cab had conventional doors for easy rear-seat access, though legroom was limited. The crew cab was exceptionally spacious, boasting ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with a rear bench that folded for impressive in-cabin cargo space.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system throughout its trims, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Although the interface wasn’t the most up-to-date, it was functional and easy to use thanks to logical analog controls for essential functions. Navigation was available in higher trims, but the system lacked the sophistication of cutting-edge infotainment setups.

In contrast, the base 2023 Silverado 1500 WT and Custom trims were equipped with a simple 7-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims introduced a modernized interior with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a fully digital instrument panel. The Silverado trimmed up technology offerings with options like a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports, fulfilling varying consumer needs. The trim levels above the base ensured that the truck stayed competitive with advanced user interfaces and connectivity options.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline earned high marks for safety, garnering a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While it scored top “Good” ratings in most Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, it fell short with an “Average” score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. The suite of standard Honda Sensing driver aids included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was available on all but the base trim. However, the lack of a 360-degree camera system was noticeable, especially for a vehicle of its size.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 also prioritized safety. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and the Teen Driver system. Higher trims like LTZ added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view cameras, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and parking sensors. Additional options included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a rear-camera mirror, and Super Cruise for highway driving. The Silverado received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and favorable scores in IIHS crash tests.