Some folks like having standard things, while others prefer options. This can apply to almost any consumer good, but this is especially the case when you are talking about trucks. This is certainly the case when you compare the 2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Chevy Colorado. Some truck drivers love to know that no matter which trim they are buying in a truck, they will get a host of performance, styling, and capability features. This is the situation with the Honda Ridgeline, where the main differences between the four different trims involve luxury features like heated leather seats, wireless phone chargers, onboard navigation, more powerful audio systems, and refined exterior styling.
On the other hand, there are truckers who want to be able to customize a truck to fit their different purposes, with the option of different powertrains, cab styles, and drivetrains, in addition to the luxury features offered on higher trims. Chevy has taken this approach with the four different models of the 2022 Colorado—each of which builds up from a simplistic base model. As a result, if you want a certain standard level of performance and capability, then the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is the midsize truck for you.
Trim Up the Trucks!
Both Honda and Chevy have chosen to offer their respective midsize trucks with a choice of four different trim levels. However, right off the bat, you can see a difference in approach between the two automakers. The Honda Ridgeline’s four different trims are basically the same truck with improved styling and added creature comforts as you move up trim levels. Thus, when you go from the Sport to the RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, you see an increasing number of features on a similar model.
This is definitely not the case with the Colorado, which is almost like two different trucks. The WT and LT trims for the 2022 Colorado are very utilitarian. This is different from the Z71 and, especially, ZR2, which are both designed for off-roading. It’s like Chevy is requiring you to choose between a very basic midsize pickup truck and one that is designed for sheer adventure—with no real midpoint between them.
Mr. Crew Cab Driver
This also can be seen in the choice of cab designs. No matter which model of the 2022 Honda Ridgeline you choose, you drive home a midsize pickup truck with a crew cab. This is not the case with the 2022 Chevy Colorado. The Colorado comes with an extended cab, offering the crew cab as an upgrade option. The crew cab has four full-size doors and a larger back seat than the extended cab, which has two half-size doors in the rear. Not only will your rear-seat passengers get more legroom in a crew cab, but you will also be able to carry up to 5 passengers—compared to 4 passengers in a Colorado with an extended cab.
As a result, if you buy a Honda, you will get more room in the backseat as a standard feature, while the Chevy makes you pay extra for this. (That is, unless you spring for the top trim ZR2 on the Colorado, which has a standard crew cab.)
Powertrains Kept A-Rollin’
A truck’s powertrain is critical for determining its capabilities. In general, the more horsepower and torque your truck’s engine produces, the more you will be able to tow and haul. This is why deciding on a truck with a powerful combination of engine and transmission is such a major decision.
Honda has decided to equip every model of the 2022 Ridgeline with a standard 3.5-L V6 gas engine paired with 9-speed automatic transmission—with shift-by-wire and paddle shifters. This direct fuel injection engine has a single overhead camshaft design with Honda’s i-VTEC system, and is capable of producing 280 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm.
In contrast, Chevy has decided to give drivers a choice of three different powertrains on the 2022 Colorado. The standard combination is a 2.5-L I-4 gas engine with a Hydra-Matic 6L50 6-speed automatic transmission. This dual overhead camshaft engine uses high-pressure direct fuel injection to provide 200 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 191 lb-ft of torque at 400 rpm. If you want substantial performance for your Colorado, you will have to opt for one of the two other available engines.
The first option is a 3.6-L V6 gas engine with a Hydra-Matic 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission. This also has a dual overhead camshaft design with high-pressure direct fuel injection to deliver 308 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 275 lb-ft of torque at 4000. This is the most horsepower of any engine on either of these two trucks.
The second option is a 2.8-L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-4 paired with a Hydra-Matic 6L50 6-speed automatic transmission. Like most diesel engines, the one on the Colorado uses common rail direct fuel injection, and can provide only 181 horsepower at 3400 rpm but 369 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. That is the most torque offered between the two trucks.
While the two engine options on the 2022 Chevy Colorado provide greater torque than the standard V6 engine on the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, you will have to pay extra for this performance. In addition, the Ridgeline has better acceleration than any of the three engine options on the Colorado. The Ridgeline can travel from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6.2 seconds, while it will take you 7.0 seconds in the Colorado with the optional 3.6-L V6, which is the fastest of the three options for this truck.
Baby, You Can Drive My Truck!
Almost as important as the choice of powertrain on your midsize truck is what type of drivetrain to choose. If you want to get the most out of your truck’s towing and hauling function, you’ll usually choose one with rear-wheel drive. However, the traction on trucks with rear-wheel drive can’t compare to ones with all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. This could cause a problem in inclement weather, and it also makes rear-wheel drive trucks unsuitable for off-roading.
As with their powertrain, Honda has given every 2022 Ridgeline truck an Intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD system. This all-wheel drive train allows the engine to provide torque to each of the truck’s four wheels. In addition, it has different specialized settings for snow, sand, and mud.
Chevy has standard rear-wheel drive on all models of the 2022 Colorado midsize truck—except for the ZR2, which is four-wheel drive standard. Unlike all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive systems use a transfer case to provide varying amounts of torque to each of the truck’s four wheels, depending on driving conditions. While Chevy gives you a choice, you will have to pay extra for four-wheel drive on your 2022 Colorado.
It’s a Long Haul
One reason people love to buy midsize trucks is the ability to tow trailers and haul heavy loads. Not all trucks are the same in this regard. A great deal depends on the choice of powertrain on your truck. In general, the rule of thumb is that the more powerful the engine, the greater the truck’s capacity for towing and hauling.
By choosing to equip each of its models of the 2022 Ridgeline with the same powertrain, Honda gives you a standard capability across the lineup. The Ridgeline gives you the power to tow up to 5,000 lbs, while hauling 1,583 lbs in the truck’s bed. This is more than the 2022 Chevy Colorado with the base 2.5-L I-4 engine, which can only tow up to 3,500 lbs and carry 1,435 lbs.
If you want greater capability on your 2022 Colorado, you are going to have to pay more money to get one of the two available engine options. If you choose the 2.8-L Duramax Turbo-Diesel, you’ll be able to tow up to 7,700 lbs in your Colorado, while opting for the available 3.6-L V6 will allow you to tow 7,000 lbs. However, while both of these engines provide greater trailering capability than the standard engine on the Honda Ridgeline, neither one can match the hauling capacity of the Honda. The Colorado with the V6 gas engine can carry up to 1,550 lbs, while the one with the Turbo-Diesel tops out at 1,510 lbs.
Roll on Down the Highway!
In comparing these two exceptional midsize trucks, one must choose between a standard design truck with set capabilities or one that has different options that will affect performance and capacities. No matter which model of the 2022 Honda Ridgeline you choose, you will be getting a standard engine, transmission, drivetrain, and cab design. If you are satisfied with these features, then this is the midsize truck for you.
In contrast, if you want the ability to configure your truck, then the 2022 Chevy Colorado gives you this option. However, you should keep in mind that each additional feature on the Colorado will increase the price. Still, no matter which truck you ultimately choose, you’ll enjoy many years of rolling on down the highway.
