2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2024 Honda Ridgeline

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss was designed to impress with its rugged off-road appearance. It featured a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, and a deeply sculpted hood, all contributing to its popular blacked-out look. The styling was well-balanced, with expressive detailing that avoided excess. Inside, the Colorado drew inspiration from the Camaro, evident in the dashboard toggle switches and round air vents. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a less appealing interior, with the Trail Boss offering a purposeful front skid plate. The interior lacked color contrast, and the plastic materials were uninspiring. The Colorado offered both 2WD and 4WD options, with prices ranging from $30,695 to $48,295, including destination charges. Our Trail Boss test model, equipped with several options, had an MSRP of $42,150.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline, while not known for its striking looks, received styling updates that improved its presence. The blunt nose, tall hood, and new tailgate lettering gave it a more robust appearance, and the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires added attitude. The interior saw a significant upgrade with a new center console design, offering a wide armrest and ample storage. The Ridgeline’s interior felt more like a proper pickup, with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Ridgeline was available in four trims, all featuring a 280-horsepower V6 engine and torque-vectoring AWD, with prices ranging from $39,750 to $46,350, including destination charges. Our TrailSport test vehicle, with optional Radiant Red paint and black tailgate lettering, had an MSRP of $46,990.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, it produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 model matched the 310-hp rating but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road capability. The Trail Boss had a 2-inch suspension lift, while the ZR2 had a 3-inch lift and exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Colorado offered five driving modes, including a Baja mode exclusive to the ZR2. The Trail Boss excelled off-road, with its all-terrain tires and Off-Road mode contributing to its performance. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, though its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 17 mpg.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda’s i-VTM4 AWD system. The Ridgeline’s towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and its payload capacity was competitive at 1,583 pounds. Off-road, the Ridgeline struggled with shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles, and its ground clearance was just over 7.6 inches. On the road, the Ridgeline excelled with a smooth powertrain, quick acceleration, and responsive handling. The TrailSport’s off-road suspension was slightly firmer, and the all-terrain tires emitted a faint whir. The automatic transmission had a tendency to roll when parked, requiring caution. The Ridgeline averaged 19.4 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger in the back. The standard cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, and the eight-way power driver’s seat provided a proper driving position. The back seat offered adequate room for six-footers, with rear air conditioning vents in all trims except the WT. The Trail Boss had a manually adjustable air conditioning system, which cooled the cab quickly. Storage space was limited, with small door panel trays and a narrow center armrest bin. The cargo bed measured 41.9 cubic feet, with an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and a StowFlex storage panel.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and practicality. It was easy to enter and exit, with supportive cushions and ample leg support for five passengers. The TrailSport trim featured perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat was well-positioned. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and a triple-zone climate control system. The Ridgeline offered numerous storage options, including a flip-up rear seat cushion for in-cab cargo space. The cargo bed featured a weatherproof and locking trunk with 7.3 cubic feet of space, perfect for tailgate parties or wet gear.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The system included Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, along with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Trail Boss’s interior, though basic, featured these advanced tech options. The infotainment system also offered off-roading data and trailer-towing technology, including high-definition cameras for easier hitching.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a faster processor and updated navigation graphics. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging. The Ridgeline Sport benefited from these upgrades, and the Black Edition offered additional features like HD Radio and extra USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 7-inch digital display in the instrumentation panel.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including OnStar emergency services, a Teen Driver system, and Chevy Safety Assist. The standard ADAS included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, causing frustration during testing.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Sport added a standard blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Honda Sensing suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The ADAS performed adequately, though the Road Departure Mitigation system was overly sensitive. The Ridgeline received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap frontal-impact test, while the NHTSA awarded it five-star ratings in most categories.