2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2024 Honda Ridgeline

In 2024, consumers were torn between the distinctive look and feel of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Honda Ridgeline. The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 boasted versatility with nine trims and multiple configurations. Options ranged from a two-door regular cab with a six-and-a-half-foot or eight-foot bed to a double cab with a standard bed. However, most buyers leaned towards the larger crew cab, which came with either a short or standard bed. For those who loved off-road adventures, the ZR2 model, available exclusively in the crew cab, short bed configuration, was a popular choice. Other trims included the Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.

Chevy’s 2022 refresh kept the Silverado’s front end looking sharp, with squinty headlamps and angular daytime running lights complementing the large grille, which varied from all-black to full chrome depending on the trim. Wheels ranged from 17-inch steelies on the base Work Truck to 22-inch chrome wheels on the High Country. Chevy didn’t shy away from color, offering eye-catching shades of red and blue alongside traditional whites and greys.

Inside, the Silverado transitioned to a more modern cabin with higher quality materials. Premium trims included leather seats and open-pore wood trim. Screens were abundant, yet traditional controls remained for HVAC and 4WD systems, lane-keeping alert, and hill descent control, blending modern and manual in harmonious simplicity.

In contrast, the Honda Ridgeline’s styling was less celebrated. The second-generation Ridgeline's redesign in 2024 brought subtle but noteworthy improvements in aesthetics. Its blunt nose, tall hood, and refreshed tailgate lettering helped it stand firmer among competitors. The TrailSport version’s all-terrain tires added a rugged touch. While the original Ridgeline looked more like a modified SUV, the 2024 model sported a more truck-like demeanor.

Inside, the Ridgeline embraced practicality and comfort. The newly designed center console featured a large storage bin and a wide armrest. A 7-inch digital instrument panel joined the traditional analog speedometer, and the standard 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system received updates for quicker response and better usability. Leather upholstery options, especially in the TrailSport trim with perforated leather, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel, elevated the interior’s appeal. Passenger comfort was a priority with ample legroom, supportive cushions, and thoughtfully added rear-seat comforts like a triple-zone climate control system and multiple cupholders.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 catered to diverse driving needs with four engine choices. The base turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 310 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Two V8 options—5.3-liter and 6.2-liter—produced up to 420 horsepower (the larger paired with a 10-speed automatic). The standout engine, however, was the 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel, pushing 305 horsepower and an impressive 495 pound-feet of torque. This diesel engine made the Silverado a formidable choice, especially paired with the smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic.

The ZR2 trim shined for off-road pursuits with a standard two-inch lift, front and rear differential lockers, and Multimatic shocks designed for varied terrain. The optional ZR2 Bison package added steel bumpers, skid plates, rock rails, and smaller 18-inch wheels for enhanced off-roading capability. The ZR2 could tow up to 9,000 pounds, though the diesel-engine-equipped Silverado maxed out at 13,300 pounds, surpassing competitors like the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline offered a single engine choice: a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power was harnessed through a nine-speed automatic transmission and an intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD system, capable of directing up to 70 percent of engine power to a single rear wheel. However, its towing capacity was capped at 5,000 pounds, falling short of traditional body-on-frame rivals but offering a respectable 1,583-pound payload capacity in the Sport trim.

While the Ridgeline’s off-road angles and ground clearance (just over 7.6 inches) limited its trail prowess, its on-road performance was notable. The V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, and the suspension ensured a comfortable ride. The TrailSport’s off-road suspension felt slightly firmer on pavement, and its all-terrain tires produced a mild whir, but overall comfort and responsiveness stood out. Some quirks included moderate irritations from the automatic transmission and excessive rolling when parked without applying the foot-activated parking brake, as well as a slight underperformance in fuel efficiency at an observed 19.4 mpg compared to the EPA’s 20 mpg rating.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 showed impressive versatility in its range of trims. The Work Truck (WT) offered basic vinyl seats, a small infotainment screen, and manual seats, while the High Country trim spoiled occupants with 10-way power seats, a Bose stereo system, and ventilated, heated front and rear seats, including a heated steering wheel. The ZR2 trim, though close in luxury to the High Country, skipped a few indulgent features like power-adjustable steering and power-retracting side steps.

The crew cab configuration was ideal for passengers, providing 43.4 inches of rear legroom compared to the double cab’s 35 inches. Easy ingress and egress were ensured by wide-opening doors and strategic grab handles. Notably, the Silverado’s cargo capacity was competitive, with a regular cab, 2WD model holding a payload of 2,260 pounds and the ZR2 managing about 1,800 pounds. Towing varied, with the Duramax diesel offering top towing capacity at 13,300 pounds, although the ZR2’s off-road enhancements reduced its towing capability to 9,000 pounds. The bed featured 12 tie-downs and an optional Multi-Flex tailgate for versatility.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline emphasized comfort and practicality. Entry and exit were effortless, and the interior offered ample leg support and seating comfort for up to five passengers. The TrailSport trim presented an upscale interior with perforated leather seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated features. Rear-seat comfort included adequate legroom, padded front seatbacks, triple-zone climate control, and multiple storage solutions, like folding seat cushions revealing in-cab cargo space.

The Ridgeline's cargo bed included a 33.9 cubic-foot area with an innovative weatherproof, locking trunk providing an extra 7.3 cubic feet. A dual-action tailgate facilitated versatile loading, either dropping flat or swinging left for easy access. Although towing capabilities at 5,000 pounds were modest compared to the Silverado, the Ridgeline’s practical storage and comfort-forward design appealed to many family-oriented buyers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's technology suite varied by trim, starting with a seven-inch touchscreen and mostly analog gauges on lower trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were welcome standard features across all trims. Higher trims, from the LT upwards, showcased a significant upgrade with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The infotainment system was lauded for its logical layout, quick response, and clear graphics. Built-in Google services provided integrated maps and voice control features, enhancing usability. Trailering technology was a standout, offering up to 14 camera views, blind-spot monitoring that extended to the trailer, automatic trailer light tests, and a towing checklist for enhanced safety and convenience.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline also featured an updated technology suite, standardizing a 9-inch touchscreen with improved graphics and responsiveness across all trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, and wireless charging became standard, improving overall connectivity. A seven-speaker stereo was standard, with higher trims adding satellite radio and premium sound systems.

While the Ridgeline's screen seemed smaller and the system simpler compared to the Silverado, improvements in processing speed and the elimination of smartphone cables significantly enhanced the user experience. The 7-inch digital display integrated into the analog speedometer cluster was user-friendly, although it wasn’t as extensive as Chevrolet’s offering.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 emphasized safety with its standard Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver program added an extra layer of safety for families with new drivers. Optional features included a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, a vibrating safety alert seat, and adaptive cruise control.

The Silverado offered Super Cruise on the High Country trim, enabling hands-free driving on over 400,000 miles of mapped roads, an innovative safety feature. The NHTSA gave the 2024 Silverado 1500 in crew cab configuration an overall five-star safety rating, while the IIHS ratings were mixed, with the truck earning “Good” in some areas but “Marginal” or “Poor” in others, notably in passenger-side crashes and headlamp performance.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard on the Sport trim, joining the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

During testing, the ADAS performed effectively, though there were occasional issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist in heavy traffic. The Road Departure Mitigation system was overactive at times. The Ridgeline earned an “Acceptable” rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test from the IIHS and “Marginal” headlamp ratings but excelled in NHTSA tests with five-star ratings overall, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.