2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exhibited a bold and aggressive design that might not appeal to everyone. The small headlights with the body panel intruding into the grille area appeared odd to some, giving off an aggressive look reminiscent of a design inspired by Transformers. Chevy offered various appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition to enhance the Silverado's visual appeal. The interior was practical and featured intuitive controls. The Silverado 1500 presented two different interior layouts based on the selected trim. The WT and Custom trims maintained an older interior design, with a smaller screen and more manual controls. Higher trims showcased a modern, tech-savvy dashboard with a large touchscreen. The WT trim came equipped with vinyl upholstery, bench front seating, and basic tech features. At the cusp of the modern interiors, the LT trim introduced a fully digital instrument panel and advanced climate control, while the upper trims such as the LTZ offered luxury features including leather upholstery and power-operated tailgate. The High Country trim provided a near-luxury experience with heated and ventilated seats and other premium amenities.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline focused on a more refined yet rugged appearance. Honda updated the Ridgeline's styling a couple of years ago, making it look more rugged with elements like larger dual exhaust outlets and aggressive tread design tires. However, some optional packages, like the Honda Performance Development (HPD) package, with oversized fender flares, were seen as less desirable by many. The Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport SUV, providing an interior layout that felt more like an upscale SUV than a traditional pickup truck. The Ridgeline featured a well-appointed interior with quality materials and comfortable seating for all passengers. The Black Edition trim added a touch of luxury with leather upholstery and additional convenience features. Despite its age, the cabin layout was straightforward and contained logical switchgear, making it practical and user-friendly.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered an impressive range of engine options. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those desiring more power, optional engines included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-liter V8 boasting 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, and a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel making 305 hp and a whopping 495 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, but 4WD was available. The base engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other engines came with a 10-speed automatic. Towing capacities ranged up to 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and Max Towing package, while the base four-cylinder could handle up to 2,260 pounds of payload. The suspension handled reasonably well on various terrains, with specialty trims like the Trail Boss and ZR2 Bison catering to off-road enthusiasts with enhancements like skid plates and heavy-duty shock absorbers.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline was built with a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline utilized a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system capable of directing up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. The unibody construction of the Ridgeline lent it superior on-road driving dynamics typically associated with SUVs, rather than traditional pickups. At a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,583 pounds, the Ridgeline lagged behind the Silverado in pure workhorse capabilities. However, the Ridgeline excelled in daily driving, with a smooth and refined ride, commendable fuel efficiency—achieving up to an average of 22.6 mpg on road trips—and nimble handling through tight city streets and twisty mountain roads. The limitations surfaced only when tackling more demanding off-roading adventures beyond light desert terrain.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered versatile body styles, including a regular cab with various bed lengths, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with options for a short or standard bed. The bed lengths available were 5 feet 8 inches for the short bed, 6 feet 6 inches for the standard bed, and 8 feet for the long bed. The regular cab, typically linked to the work-focused trims, featured a front bench seat suitable for up to three passengers. The double cab provided easier rear seat access with conventional doors rather than half-doors, though the legroom was limited. The crew cab, in contrast, offered substantial space in both rows, with the rear bench folding up to expand in-cabin cargo storage.

In the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, the emphasis was on practicality. Sharing much with the Honda Passport, the Ridgeline's interior offered easy ingress and egress, exceptionally comfortable seats with good leg support, and a quality feel overall. The rear seat, although less spacious than the front, still provided ample headroom, a high seating position, and a flip-up cushion to create additional cargo space. Practical features included a massive center console storage bin, a dual-action tailgate, a flat-floored 64-inch cargo bed with a scratch-resistant composite surface, and a unique in-bed trunk offering weatherproof storage and doubling as an ice chest for tailgating. The Ridgeline’s approach to functionality over brute capability set it apart, emphasizing daily usability and clever cargo solutions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's base infotainment configuration included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. WT and Custom trims carried over an older interior layout and simpler tech. Higher trims introduced a 13.4-inch touchscreen with modern connectivity features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhanced by vivid graphics and responsive interactions. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and extra USB ports complemented by a fully digital instrument panel, combining cutting-edge technology with functionality.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's technology reflected an older generation. Standard features included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HondaLink services, and satellite radio on most trims. Higher trims like the RTL-E and Black Edition added navigation, a premium sound system with cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. Despite the 8-inch touchscreen’s dated graphics and slower response times, the interface remained user-friendly. Voice recognition and navigation systems, while not up to modern standards, were manageable with some acclimation. The wireless charging pad was finicky, sometimes failing to charge devices reliably.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came well-equipped with modern safety features. Standard offerings included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning, supplemented by the Teen Driver system for setting driving restrictions. Higher trims added advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM's Super Cruise system for semi-autonomous driving. The NHTSA awarded the Silverado 1500 an overall five-star rating, and IIHS provided favorable crash test scores, making it a safe and dependable choice.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, in comparison, featured a standard suite of Honda Sensing driver assists, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system’s lack of refinement and absence of standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on the base Sport trim marked a downside. These features were more seamlessly integrated within other models. Despite this, the 2023 Ridgeline earned strong crash-test ratings from IIHS, with the NHTSA also awarding high scores for crash performance.