2020 Honda Ridgeline vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 boasted a variety of design elements that gave each version its unique look. From different grille designs and finishes to an assortment of wheel sizes and styles, and choices between black, body-color, or shiny bumpers, the Silverado offered impressive customization options. Buyers had the choice between Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles, spanning trim levels from WT (Work Truck) to High Country. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the Trail Boss treatment for models like the Custom or LT. Prices ranged from $28,500 up to $57,100, excluding a $1,595 destination charge.

The test truck used to review the 2020 Silverado 1500 was an LT Trail Boss outfitted with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and four option packages, elevating its price to $59,185. With its all-black exterior, the test truck exuded a custom, albeit high-maintenance, appearance. Overall, while the exterior styling was well-received, the interior failed to match up. The cabin, with its industrial design and abundance of plastic, felt outdated and lacked refinement, especially compared to the high price tag.

Conversely, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, though practical and reliable, had a more controversial design. Children and adults alike noted its minivan-like front combined with a traditional truck bed at the rear, leading to somewhat negative impressions. The second-generation Ridgeline aimed for a more conventional truck look but perhaps overcorrected.

For 2020, the Ridgeline featured numerous updates, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission, standard Honda Sensing ADAS, upgraded infotainment systems, and minor exterior tweaks, increasing the base price to $33,900. The reviewed RTL-E trim came in at $43,140. The Ridgeline’s interior, shared with the Honda Pilot, offered high-quality materials, with perforated leather, gloss-black trim, and metallic accents. However, the similarity to the Pilot’s cabin was unappealing, as it felt more suited to a suburban vehicle rather than a rugged truck.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a selection of five engines and three transmissions. Among the new additions, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder produced 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine, notable for its 27 mpg highway fuel economy, was a valuable, albeit pricier, alternative to gasoline options.

The test Silverado featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this engine delivered robust performance, excellent acceleration, and a thrilling exhaust note. The truck’s off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Z71 Off-Road Package, ensuring a smooth ride on challenging terrains but somewhat shaky handling on pavement. Fuel economy for the 6.2-liter engine in real-world testing averaged 16.8 mpg, close to the EPA’s 17 mpg combined rating—a notable improvement over the 5.3-liter V8’s past performance of 13.8 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, stood out for its smooth performance. Despite minor quirks in the transmission’s behavior, the overall system worked well.

Front-wheel drive was standard on Sport and RTL trims, while all-wheel drive was available and standard on upper trims. The AWD system featured multiple drive modes and torque vectoring, enhancing off-road and on-road performance. Fuel economy averaged 20.9 mpg, nearly matching the EPA’s 21 mpg rating. For towing and hauling, AWD models increased tow capacity to 5,000 pounds and payload to 1,580 pounds, making it suitable for weekend adventures without sacrificing daily driving comfort.

Inside the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the test truck featured leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heating elements for added comfort. However, the front passenger lacked height adjustment, leading to discomfort for some. The Crew Cab’s back seat was spacious with ample thigh support and additional amenities like heated cushions and USB ports.

The Silverado excelled in storage and utility, offering various compartments and high towing and hauling capacities. Depending on configuration, the truck could handle up to 2,250 pounds of payload and 13,400 pounds of towing. The LT Trail Boss test model managed a payload of 2,170 pounds and a towing capacity of 11,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline, sharing design similarities with the Honda Pilot, provided comfort with heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Rear-seat accommodations were less spacious but still comfortable, with thoughtful touches like air conditioning vents. The climate control system efficiently managed temperature variations, though solar heating posed a minor issue.

For storage, the Ridgeline offered an abundance of interior compartments and a versatile cargo bed with a 33.9 cubic-foot capacity. Notably, the bed featured a locking in-bed trunk with a drain plug, tailgate with dual-opening modes, a power outlet, and a specialized audio system for outdoor entertainment.

Equipping the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Chevrolet provided features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and optional upgrades such as a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L, wireless charging, and a Bose premium sound system. While the abundance of technology was impressive, the screen size felt outdated. Advanced trailering packages offered various camera views for enhanced visibility, though some useful features were missing from the test truck.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline’s standard Display Audio system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen display but suffered from a lack of physical controls and slow voice recognition. Steering wheel audio controls were a practical necessity. Higher trims gained additional features like navigation, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and an eight-speaker premium sound system. Despite these enhancements, user experience issues with the infotainment system lingered.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came standard with a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technologies. However, advanced safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist were limited to higher trims. This contributed to the Silverado’s less-than-perfect crash-test ratings, scoring four stars overall from NHTSA and a Marginal rating for passenger protection from IIHS.

Standard on the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, Honda Sensing included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. Further enhancements like automatic high beams, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning were available on higher trims. The Ridgeline earned impressive crash-test ratings, scoring well across the board from both IIHS and NHTSA.