Compare the2023 Honda RidgelineVS 2022 Chevrolet Colorado

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Ridgeline deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Ridgeline’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Colorado’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Ridgeline has standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Colorado offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ridgeline. But it costs extra on the Colorado.

The Ridgeline’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Colorado and is only available on Colorado LT/Z71.

The Ridgeline RTL-E/Black Edition has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Colorado doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ridgeline RTL/RTL-E/Black Edition’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Colorado doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Ridgeline uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Colorado uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Ridgeline and the Colorado have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Chevrolet Colorado:

	Ridgeline	Colorado
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	104	210
Neck Injury Risk	27%	28.7%
Neck Stress	166 lbs.	287 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	92 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	41/39 lbs.	301/266 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	168	309
Neck Injury Risk	32%	44.9%
Neck Stress	121 lbs.	300 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Chevrolet Colorado:

	Ridgeline	Colorado
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	203 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	423 lbs.	545 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	716 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Ridgeline, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 4.3% to 5.1% less likely to roll over than the Colorado, which received a three-star rating.

Warranty

The Ridgeline’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Colorado’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ridgeline for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Colorado.

Reliability

The engine in the Ridgeline has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Colorado have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ridgeline’s reliability 39 points higher than the Colorado.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 12 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Ridgeline’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 80 more horsepower (280 vs. 200) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 191) than the Colorado’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Ridgeline is faster than the Chevrolet Colorado:

	Ridgeline	Colorado 4 cyl.	Colorado V6
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	9.3 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	17.1 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.2 MPH	82.4 MPH	87.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Ridgeline gets better mileage than the Colorado:

			MPG
Ridgeline
	AWD	3.5 SOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy
Colorado
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/24 hwy
		ZR2 2.8 turbo 4-cyl. Diesel	18 city/22 hwy
		ZR2 3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/18 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Ridgeline’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Colorado doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Ridgeline, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Colorado.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Ridgeline’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Colorado:

	Ridgeline	Colorado
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.75 inches

The Ridgeline stops much shorter than the Colorado:

	Ridgeline	Colorado
70 to 0 MPH	181 feet	206 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Ridgeline’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Colorado’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ridgeline has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Colorado.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Ridgeline has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Colorado has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Ridgeline has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ridgeline flat and controlled during cornering. The Colorado’s suspension doesn’t offer stabilizer bars.

The front and rear suspension of the Ridgeline uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Colorado, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ridgeline is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Colorado.

The Ridgeline Black Edition handles at .80 G’s, while the Colorado Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ridgeline Black Edition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the Colorado Short Box Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 (27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

Chassis

The Ridgeline is 1 foot, 2.7 inches shorter than the Colorado Long Box Crew Cab, making the Ridgeline easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction makes the Ridgeline’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The Colorado doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Ridgeline uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Colorado doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Cargo Capacity

The Ridgeline’s cargo box is larger than the Colorado’s in almost every dimension:

	Ridgeline	Colorado Extended Cab	Colorado Crew Cab
Length (short/long)	63”	74”	61.7”/74”
Max Width	59.6”	57.8”	57.8”
Min Width	50”	44.4”	44.4”
Height	16.9”	20.9”	20.9”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Ridgeline. The Colorado doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Payload and Towing

The Ridgeline’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Colorado’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Ridgeline has a higher standard payload capacity than the Colorado Long Box Crew Cab 4x4 (1583 vs. 1460 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Ridgeline RTL/RTL-E/Black Edition, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Colorado doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Ridgeline RTL/RTL-E/Black Edition’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Colorado doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Ridgeline’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Colorado’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Ridgeline the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Colorado can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Smart Entry standard on the Ridgeline allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Chevrolet Colorado doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

The Ridgeline has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Colorado doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Ridgeline’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Colorado’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Ridgeline’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Colorado’s optional projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Ridgeline’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Colorado’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Ridgeline RTL-E/Black Edition detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Colorado doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Ridgeline has standard power remote mirrors. The Colorado only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

When the Ridgeline RTL-E/Black Edition is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Colorado’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Ridgeline RTL/RTL-E/Black Edition’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Colorado offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Ridgeline’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Colorado doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Ridgeline’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Colorado Work Truck doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Ridgeline and the Colorado offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Ridgeline has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Colorado doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Ridgeline has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Colorado doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The Ridgeline RTL-E/Black Edition has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Colorado doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Ridgeline, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its July 2017 issue and the Honda Ridgeline RTL-E won out over the Chevrolet Colorado Short Box LT Crew Cab 4x4.

The Ridgeline was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The Colorado has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Ridgeline as the 2017 North American Truck of the Year. The Colorado has never been chosen.

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