2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2025 Honda Ridgeline

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline stood out in the midsize pickup segment with its unique unibody construction, setting it apart from traditional body-on-frame rivals. Its exterior design, characterized by a snub nose and curvaceous styling, hinted at its car-like platform, which was shared with the Honda Pilot and Passport crossovers. Despite updates like a blockier grille and tailgate lettering, the Ridgeline's styling appeared somewhat dated compared to its more ruggedly redesigned siblings. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2024, added off-road flair with all-terrain tires, unique suspension tuning, and distinctive paint and trim options. Inside, the Ridgeline's cabin was practical and durable, with a focus on functionality over luxury, making it a true truck interior designed for work and play.

In contrast, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a vast lineup with multiple cab styles, bed lengths, and engine options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, a diesel six-cylinder, and two V8s. The RST trim, tested here, featured a crew cab, short bed, and the TurboMax engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Autotrac 4WD. The RST Select Package added blacked-out styling, all-terrain tires, and a spray-on bedliner, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the Silverado RST's cabin was basic but spacious, with a front bench seat accommodating six passengers. The interior design was more sophisticated than typical pickups, with metallic accents and modern technology, though the transmission shifter's placement on the steering column was a nostalgic touch that occasionally obstructed access to controls.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline continued with a single powertrain option: 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. This combination delivered smooth and responsive performance, with the transmission efficiently utilizing its nine forward ratios. The unibody construction contributed to a refined ride quality, precise handling, and reduced road noise. However, the Ridgeline's off-road capabilities were limited compared to rivals, and its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and payload capacity of 1,583 pounds were not class-leading.

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, equipped with the TurboMax turbo-four engine, offered 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, available at a low 3,000 rpm. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Autotrac 4WD. Despite its power, the engine's sound and mid-range performance were lacking, and its real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations. The Silverado's towing capacity with the TurboMax engine was capped at 9,000 pounds, while the Duramax diesel option offered up to 13,000 pounds. The RST's suspension and steering were competent but unremarkable, and brake overheating during mountain driving raised concerns about its suitability for heavy towing.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was available exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a 5-foot, 4-inch bed. Its cargo box featured a dual-action tailgate and a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk, providing versatile storage options. The bed's design allowed for easy loading of standard 4x8 sheets of plywood, and the reinforced material eliminated the need for a bedliner. Inside, the Ridgeline offered ample headroom and legroom, with a practical center console and under-seat storage, though rear-seat comfort could be improved.

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST featured a 40/20/40 bench seat, allowing for six-passenger seating. The cabin was spacious, with firm but comfortable seats and ample legroom for rear passengers. The RST Select Package included step rails for easier entry and exit, though they limited off-road capability. The Silverado's cargo area was equipped with an EZ Lower and Lift tailgate, CornerStep bumpers, and LED lighting, making it practical for hauling. Interior storage options were plentiful, with a fold-down center console, dash-top tray, and multiple compartments.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Most models featured a seven-speaker audio system, while the Black Edition offered an eight-speaker setup. Wireless phone charging was standard, though the USB ports were outdated. The infotainment system's graphics were basic, but its functionality was straightforward, with physical buttons for key controls.

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST boasted a modern dashboard with a 12.3-inch digital display and a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google built-in. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with seamless connectivity and decent audio quality from the six-speaker setup. The RST also included a towing package with advanced hitch technology, though it lacked a semi-automated trailer reversing system.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was the only midsize pickup with a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, earning high marks in frontal and side crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Honda Sensing suite performed well, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to accelerate, and the lack of a 360-degree camera was noted.

The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came standard with Chevy's Safety Assist package, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, Buckle to Drive, and Teen Driver technology. However, the test truck lacked blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The IIHS rated the Silverado's crash performance as subpar, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in key tests.