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| 310 | Max Horsepower (hp) | 280 |
| 430 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 262 |
| 7,700 | Max Towing | 5,000 |
When you think about what makes a pickup truck better than another, is it because of power, efficiency, cargo space, or any of the three? The problem is there are many trucks to pick between, so how can one possibly know which vehicle is better? Consider the 2023 Chevy Colorado vs 2023 Honda Ridgeline, two notable trucks in the midsize pickup market. Chevrolet and Honda are two competitors that aren’t unfamiliar with one another. While Chevy and Honda are from two separate walks of life from opposite sides of the globe, there are undoubtedly similarities. However, pickup trucks are a different story—the 2023 Colorado and 2023 Ridgeline aren’t two sides of the same coin. One pickup truck outperforms the other, has more tech, is more fuel-efficient, and more, but which one is it? Let's take a deeper look at both vehicles, compare and contrast features, and see who comes out on top.
The Chevy Colorado and Honda Ridgeline have plenty to offer with performance, but more so for Chevy’s midsize pickup truck. Both the Colorado and Ridgeline use one engine type; however, unlike the Colorado, there are no optional variations for the Ridgeline. One powertrain is available across the four trims. To Honda’s credit, the engine inside the 2023 Ridgeline is a 3.5L V6 engine equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission. A V6 engine means the base Ridgeline can perform on par with its costlier counterparts, such as a maximum towing rating of 5,000 lbs for each of the four trims, and outputing 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. However, the Colorado has a trick up its sleeve: a turbocharged high-output engine.
A turbocharged 2.7L I-4 engine comes standard with entry-level Colorado models like the WT, while all three options come with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While it's lesser than a 9-speed automatic transmission like the one inside the Ridgeline, the difference the Colorado brings to the table is far more extravagant. The base powertrain for the Colorado, while not as performant as the 3.5L V6 engine inside the Ridgeline, comes with 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. From there, it’s the two following options that divide the two trucks. The turbocharged 2.7L I-4 engine is new to the Colorado for the 2023 model year. Against its predecessor’s base engine (a 2.5L I-4 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission with an output of 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque,) the 2023 model reveals an improvement.
The two following Colorado powertrains utilize a turbocharged 2.7L I-4 engine like the base configuration, but they’ve pushed it further with more high-output potential. The first variant is the 2.7L Turbo Plus I-4, which outputs a substantial 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. Aside from the increase in horsepower and torque output against the Ridgeline’s engine, the towing performance is improved over the Colorado’s base engine by over 100% with a capacity of 7,700 lbs. The second optional powertrain for the Colorado is a turbocharged high-output 2.7L I-4 engine. While its horsepower output and towing capacity sit at the same 310 hp and 7,700 lbs as the other variant, the output of 430 lb-ft of torque is 64% more than the Ridgeline’s engine. Keep in mind it is the only engine for the Ridgeline, even on the priciest model.
If you want a vehicle that gets from point A to point B with limited versatility, you get an SUV or a sedan. You get a midsize pickup truck because you need a vehicle that not only tows a decent amount of cargo but the tailgate can also be a crucial part of your decision. Modern-day pickup trucks are far more versatile than their predecessors, not only because of their performance but because of features like Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate and the Colorado’s integrated tailgate storage and impressive 17-tie downs for cargo. After all, if you're going to be using a truck for serious work like hauling, the tailgate feature can be a crucial tool in making those often difficult tasks easier.
The Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate means the trunk door can open the old-fashioned way or horizontally like a refrigerator door. The Colorado and Ridgeline both have 5-foot long beds, but the Colorado’s bed can support up to 500 lbs of cargo tied down against the Ridgeline’s 350 lbs. The payload capacity is also better on the Colorado, especially with the WT or LT trims, with a payload capacity of 1,684 lbs over the Ridgeline’s 1,583 lbs. Combined with the greater towing capacity of the Colorado, larger cargo can be easier to transport with the Colorado, whether your belongings are being towed or stored in the bed. The tailgates for both trucks feature modern amenities you’d expect, such as onboard power outlets to provide electricity whenever you need it, whether at the worksite or while tailgating at a football game.
The Colorado is a larger vehicle than the Ridgeline in many ways. For example, the Colorado is 213.2-inches at its longest with the Trail Boss trim, while the Ridgeline is 210.2-inches long. The Chevy Colorado is also wider than the Ridgeline, with 84.4-inches against 78.6-inches. Other attributes of the Colorado that exceed the Ridgeline include a larger wheelbase of 131.4-inches over 125.2-inches, and the Colorado can be fitted with 20-inch tires, whereas the Ridgeline can be fitted with an 18-inch set.
What good is a vehicle if you aren’t comfortable sitting inside it? Fortunately for drivers of the Colorado or Ridgeline, both trucks are spacious enough to provide a comfortable passenger experience. However, the Colorado has vastly superior legroom in the front row, arguably the most important dimension of any vehicle’s interior. With the Colorado, you’ll get 40.3-inches of headroom and 45.2-inches of legroom, which is better than the Ridgeline’s 40.1-inches of headroom and 40.9-inches of legroom. The Ridgeline has the advantage of slightly more hip and shoulder room, and its 36.7-inches of rear-row legroom is slightly better than the Colorado’s 34.7-inches. Overall, the Colorado provides the better fit regardless of where you’re sitting inside the truck.
Both the 2023 Colorado and Ridgeline are among the safest midsize trucks on the market. Both are like their direct predecessors in that the Colorado includes Chevy’s famous Chevy Safety Assist, and the Ridgeline utilizes Honda Sensing. Chevy Safety Assist and Honda Sensing have many similarities, but one of the most notable differences is price. If the 2023 Colorado sits near the MSRP of the 2022 model, then the Ridgeline will be the costlier vehicle. Chevy Safety Assist and Honda Sensing both come with many standard features, but spending more money will get you extra safety features, such as blind zone steering assist for the Colorado and the blind spot information system for the Ridgeline.
Many of the safety features present on Honda Sensing and Chevy Safety Assist perform similar functions under separate labels. For example, the Honda Ridgeline comes with a collision mitigation braking system (CMBS), which performs the same function as forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking, as seen on the Colorado. With these three features, and the CMBS on the Ridgeline by extension, the Colorado and Ridgeline are two midsize pickup trucks that can prevent accidents from occurring.
The Colorado and Ridgeline also have preventive measures to ensure your vehicle is staying in your intended lane when you’re traveling on the freeway thanks to features like lane keep assist with lane departure warning for the Colorado, and the lane departure warning and lane keeping assist system for the Ridgeline. Both pickup trucks come with adaptive cruise control and rear-cross traffic alerts, but the Colorado has rear pedestrian alert, which the Ridgeline doesn’t. Should the Colorado remain similarly priced to its predecessors, then it will be unfortunate that Honda couldn’t put more safety features into a vehicle that historically has cost more than the Colorado.
Automotive dealerships aren’t your average shopping experience. While you may not think about which restaurant you want to eat at tonight, shopping for a vehicle takes far more planning, and rightfully so; a vehicle is a large investment that needs to be taken seriously. When shopping for a vehicle, it makes sense to find a dealership with a reputation for superb service and great deals and a local one to boot. At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford, we supply residents in the greater area of Buford, GA, with top-selling Chevy automobiles, including the latest offerings such as the newest Silverado, Colorado, Bolt EV, Equinox, and many others.
Our vast selection of pre-owned and CPO vehicles includes Chevy favorites, but we also include vehicles from other manufacturers that you may be searching for, so there’s always a reason to come by and see what we have in stock. Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford also has an on-site service and parts center, so whenever you need routine service or repairs, we encourage you to bring your Chevy vehicle back to us when the time comes for service. We welcome you to come in today and let our friendly and knowledgeable sales team show you the 2023 Chevy Colorado and everything it has to offer.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.