Honda Ridgeline vs Chevrolet Colorado

Midsize trucks are having a moment. Rugged, off-road-ready lifestyle pickups and SUVs are all currently in vogue. In the past few years, we’ve seen redesigns for the Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier, and, long-awaited, the Toyota Tacoma. General Motors has joined the party with a redesigned GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado.

The popularity of smaller trucks has ebbed and flowed through the decades, but based on all of these redesigns, automakers are convinced that there are sales to be made. One way these trucks have evolved is by pivoting from downsized work vehicles offering weekend-warrior and lifestyle-off-roader versions, to focusing specifically on those weekend warrior and lifestyle shoppers.

Verdict: The Colorado has evolved from merely offering more content and upgraded versions to focusing on well-equipped, upgraded trims catering to recreation more than work.

This year, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline gets several updates that make the unibody crew-cab, short-bed truck more appealing. Foremost among them is a new TrailSport trim level with an off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, underbody protection, and an available exclusive Diffused Sky blue paint colour. Tech updates and a new centre console modernize the interior, and the dual-action tailgate now says RIDGELINE in big letters, just like other trucks.

Verdict: With those changes to the 2024 Ridgeline, Honda makes its midsize pickup truck more appealing than ever. If you won’t need more than 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) of towing capacity and have no plans to tackle technical terrain, a Honda Ridgeline is almost perfect. Why? It is endlessly practical and a terrific daily driver deserving more consideration than it gets.