Regarding compact trucks, the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado are easily two of the most known. They often go head-to-head in comparisons, and it’s not always clear who will be the winner. The sales reports from Q2 2023 make it very clear which one consumers prefer this time, but there is a question about whether that’s the better choice.

The Chevrolet Colorado outperformed Honda Ridgeline sales

The second quarter of 2023 was good for the Honda Ridgeline, according to GoodCarBadCar. It sold 14,512 vehicles during this period, 3,904 units more than in 2022. This wasn’t enough to help Honda Ridgeline sales outpace the Chevy Colorado, however.

The Colorado sold 19,910 vehicles during this same quarter. This is 5,398 more units than the Ridgeline. It’s also a decrease of 2,587 units from the second quarter of 2022 when the Colorado sold 22,497 models. Still, even considering the fall in sales, the Colorado is still more popular with consumers than the Honda Ridgeline, which is kind of surprising when you consider all the Ridgeline has to offer. 

The Honda Ridgeline is a better truck

U.S. News has a lot of good things to say about the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, so high sales are no surprise since it was awarded the No. 1 slot for the compact pickup truck division. For one, it’s a spacious truck with a killer interior that feels luxe for a truck. For two, the 3.5-liter V6 engine has a decent amount of power that delivers an excellent on-road drive. It produces a respectable 280 hp.

The Honda Ridgeline comes standard with all-wheel drive and gets 18 city MPG and 24 MPG highway. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in only seven seconds. The Ridgeline can also tow up to 5,000 pounds, enough for small campers or jet ski trailers.

The tailgate makes loading and unloading the Ridgeline easier since it can either lay flat or swing out to the side. The 7.3 cu-ft in-bed trunk, which is conveniently waterproof, is ideal for filling with ice, so you can bring along drinks or add groceries that need to stay cool. When you’re done, simply pull the drain plug, and you’re good to go.

No vehicle is perfect, however, and the Ridgeline has its share of issues. One is the price range, which can cost anywhere from $38,800 to $46,230. That’s rather pricey for a compact truck, but it does offer a lot for the price. U.S. News also knocked the outdated infotainment system.

Should you skip the Colorado?

Even though the Honda Ridgeline has a lot going for it in terms of comfort, accessories, and style factors, don’t count the Chevy Colorado out just yet. It has a lot of features that make it a desirable choice, and that’s one reason why it could be beating the Honda Ridgeline in sales.

The main reason consumers may choose the Colorado over the Ridgeline is its off-road capability. The Honda Ridgeline isn’t exactly ideal for going off-road, so this may account for the fact that the Colorado outperformed it in overall sales during the summer months. 

Many people with some downtime were probably eager to hit the trails, and the Ridgeline is like the cool guy who looks tough but gets worn out easily when doing heavy labor. That’s not to say the Ridgeline can’t go off-road, but it’s certainly not designed for anything more than light trails. The Colorado, on the other hand, can handle harder trails, especially if you go for the upper trims like the ZR2 and Z71. It may not have as many features as the Ridgeline, but it’s easy to see why so many consumers are drawn to the Colorado.