2026 Chevrolet Colorado vs. 2026 Honda Ridgeline

CarWeek says the Colorado's $36,000 starting price undercuts the Ridgeline's $47,395, with both getting an identical 19 city/24 highway/21 combined mpg rating, while the Colorado's 2.7L turbo four makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft against the Ridgeline's 3.5L V6 at 280 hp and 262 lb-ft, and the Ridgeline pairs a 9-speed automatic to the Colorado's 8-speed. RevvedUpCars frames the same tradeoff as AWD refinement versus RWD muscle, noting the unibody Ridgeline comes standard with AWD for all-weather traction while the body-on-frame Colorado sticks to rear-wheel drive but delivers the strongest V6-equivalent output in the comparison at 310 hp, with the Ridgeline commanding over a $10,000 premium for its more sophisticated AWD system and upscale features.

Which to choose, and why

Colorado has more power and torque, same mpg

CarWeek (opens in a new tab) says the Colorado's $36,000 starting price undercuts the Ridgeline's $47,395, with both getting an identical 19 city/24 highway/21 combined mpg rating, while the Colorado's 2.7L turbo four makes 310 hp and 430 lb-ft against the Ridgeline's 3.5L V6 at 280 hp and 262 lb-ft, and the Ridgeline pairs a 9-speed automatic to the Colorado's 8-speed.

Standard AWD versus RWD muscle

RevvedUpCars (opens in a new tab) frames the tradeoff as AWD refinement versus RWD muscle, noting the unibody Ridgeline comes standard with AWD for all-weather traction while the body-on-frame Colorado sticks to rear-wheel drive but delivers the strongest V6-equivalent output in the comparison at 310 hp, with the Ridgeline commanding over a $10,000 premium for its more sophisticated AWD system and upscale features.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Chevrolet Colorado or Honda Ridgeline?

CarWeek (opens in a new tab) says the Colorado, at $36,000 versus the Ridgeline's $47,395.

Does the Honda Ridgeline come with AWD?

RevvedUpCars (opens in a new tab) says yes, the Ridgeline comes standard with AWD, while the Colorado sticks to RWD.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Chevrolet Colorado: 5 records · Honda Ridgeline: 2 records.

Decision field	Chevrolet Colorado	Honda Ridgeline
Exact EPA records	5	2
Model / option labels	5	2
Drive layouts	4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.7L 4-cyl SIDI	3.5L 6-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic 8-spd	Automatic (S9)
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD	Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Combined efficiency	16–21 MPG/MPGe	20–21 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3100–4050 per year	$3100–3250 per year

Head to head

Chevrolet Colorado vs. Honda Ridgeline: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Chevrolet Colorado	Honda Ridgeline
Starting price (KBB base)	$34,495	$42,290
Top trim price (KBB base)	$52,795	$49,390
Horsepower	310 hp	280 hp
Torque	430 lb-ft	262 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,520-4,910 lb	4,420-4,504 lb
Length	212.7-213.2 in	210.2 in
Wheelbase	131.4 in	125.2 in
Cargo volume	41.9 cu ft	n/a
Towing capacity	6,000-7,700 lb	5,000 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Chevrolet Colorado starts $7,795 lower: $34,495 against $42,290 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Chevrolet Colorado leads: 310 hp against 280 hp.
On peak torque, the Chevrolet Colorado leads: 430 lb-ft against 262 lb-ft.
The Honda Ridgeline is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,420 lb against 4,520 lb.
On length, the Chevrolet Colorado leads: 213.2 in against 210.2 in.
On wheelbase, the Chevrolet Colorado leads: 131.4 in against 125.2 in.
On maximum towing capacity, the Chevrolet Colorado leads: 7,700 lb against 5,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Chevrolet Colorado and the Honda Ridgeline.

2026 Chevrolet Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado (sharing mechanical commonality with the GMC Canyon) is a series of compact pickup trucks (first generation) and mid-size pickup trucks (since second generation) marketed by American automaker General Motors. They were introduced in 2004 to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma compact pickups. The Colorado is named after the U.S. state of Colorado, while the Canyon took its name from the deep chasm between cliffs.

Sales: Awards and recognition Motor Trend's 2015 Truck of the Year Motor Trend's 2016 Truck of the Year Four Wheeler 2018 Pickup Truck of the Year (Colorado ZR2) Motor Trend's 2024 Truck of the Year

Source: Chevrolet Colorado (Wikipedia)

Safety. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal offset test, the Colorado (extended version) is given a "Good" overall score, however the crew cab is rated "Acceptable". In the side impact test, the Colorado crew cab is rated "Poor" with or without side curtain airbags.

Trim levels. DX features a manual transmission, electronic stability control, side-curtain airbags, Bluetooth capabilities, and 16-inch steel wheels. LX features either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, power mirrors, and cruise control. LTZ features 17-inch alloy wheels, optional leather seats, LED taillamps, projector headlamps, sports bar, soft tonneau cover, and side steps.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
September 2024, Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon vehicles. The left or right front seat may have a seat belt buckle attachment bolt that was not tightened properly. Consequence: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
June 2024, Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The lock ring that secures the fuel pump to the fuel tank assembly may not have been fully locked during assembly, which can result in a fuel leak… Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado, most often about service brakes (10), forward collision avoidance (8), electrical system (7).

2026 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured and marketed by Honda since the 2006 model year, over two generations in a unibody, crew–cab, short-box configuration with a transverse-mounted engine.

Awards: North American Car of the Year for 2006 and 2017. Canadian Car of the Year and Best New Pickup for 2006 MotorTrend's 2006 Truck of the Year Car and Driver's #1 mid-size truck for 2006, and 2017–2019 Autobytel's 2006 Truck of the Year Sobre Ruedas (On Wheels, a Latin American automotive magazine) 2005 Best Pick-up Truck Auto123.com's 2017 Pickup of the Year J.D.

Source: Honda Ridgeline (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Honda Ridgeline overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
May 2024, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, most often about exterior lighting (25), electrical system (24), engine (20).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Chevrolet Colorado5 configurations →02 · 2026Honda Ridgeline2 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado or the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?

Efficiency

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (20.5 vs. the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado's 18.5 MPG/MPGe).