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The Greenest Car of 2024 Isn’t an EVBudget Buy $20,000: Chevrolet Avalanche vs Honda Ridgeline
We’ve compared the facts on the Chevrolet Avalanche vs the Honda Ridgeline. Find out what you can buy on a $20,000 budget in our article here.
Mountaintop Mid-sizers
If you’re in the market for a used mid-sized truck with ample towing capacity, it is hard to ignore the allure of both the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Honda Ridgeline. The good news is that both can be had for less than $20k!
There are, however, several aspects that you want to look at when it comes to comparing these two mid-sized trucks. We’ll look at the 2013 model year for our comparison.
Let’s take a closer look to see how they compare in our mid-sizer showdown.
Chevrolet Avalanche vs Honda Ridgeline Specs
For the 2013 model year, the Chevrolet Avalanche had 3 trims available: LS, LT, and LTZ. All trims received the 5.3L V8 FlexFuel engine to deliver 320 horsepower and 335 lbs.-ft. of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission was engineered to handle the power to the wheels. The Chevrolet Avalanche was available in both 2×4 and 4×4 powertrain configurations, so be attentive to that when looking at your next vehicle.
The Honda Ridgeline was available in 4 trim levels: RT, Sport, RTS, and RTL. They are all powered by a 250 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine providing 247 lbs.-ft. of torque. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive was standard. All Honda Ridgeline trims are 4×4 which takes out the guesswork when looking for your next mid-sized truck.
While there are some obvious differences between the powertrain and drivetrain (as well as power), the key is that they are both capable of towing 5,000 lbs.
The Honda Ridgeline comes standard with a towing package so that should tell you that they mean business right off of the showroom floor.
It should be noted that while Honda’s engine is a V6, it gets the same MPG as the Chevrolet Avalanche’s V8 (15 city/21 highway MPG for both models). So, if you’re considering the Honda Ridgeline as the more fuel-efficient opponent, think again.
Driving and Performance
So how do they drive? Both vehicles fared well in this category. The Chevrolet Avalanche provides a comfortable ride that is just as at home off-road as it is on the pavement. This makes long journeys more bearable especially if rough terrain is involved. Overall, it still felt like a pickup truck or a similarly sized SUV when it comes to handling.
The Honda Ridgeline also provides a cushy ride, but the handling is where it stands out. The Sport trim really does add some fun to the driving aspect. It handles well on and off-road without feeling boxy or bulky. While both the Chevrolet Avalanche and the Honda Ridgeline are both half-ton mid-sized pickups, the Honda Ridgeline is much more fun to drive overall while maintaining an acceptable ride on rugged terrain.
The biggest powerhouse is certainly the Chevrolet Avalanche. The Honda Ridgeline feels weak and makes you miss the extra two cylinders of the Chevrolet engine. With the Avalanche, the power was there in a hurry and stayed there.
So, if you’re looking for car-like handling with the added convenience of a bed, the Honda Ridgeline is certainly one to consider. If you’re looking for a peppier and more powerful engine and roomier cabin, the Chevrolet Avalanche should be your pick.
Comfort and Interior
In a truck that could see more than pavement under its tires, you need to be comfortable. Luckily, both offer ample cabin space. The Chevrolet Avalanche has 41.8 inches of front leg room and 39.1 inches for the rear passengers thus making it slightly roomier than the Honda Ridgeline (40.8 up front, 36.4 in the rear). The Chevrolet Avalanche’s cab feels roomier in general compared to the Honda Ridgeline.
The Chevrolet Avalanche’s two biggest complaints are the low-mounted navigation controls and the inability to see well out of the back window from the front seats. The interior was also made up mostly of plastic. We would have liked to have seen a little more visual flair and better-quality materials.
The interior of the Honda Ridgeline RTL is certainly more car-like in construction than the Chevrolet Avalanche. It also feels roomy and comfortable with better-quality materials. It also offers ample storage compartments and cupholders. For added convenience, there is a lockable trunk inside the bed for up to 8.5 cubic feet of storage.
Both models offer fold-down rear seats that increase the storage capacity of the bed.
Trims and Features
The Chevrolet Avalanche comes in three trims: LS, LT, and LTZ. The LS trim is the base model, but it is much more than your basic work truck. It has standard equipment like a rear camera, rear park assist, power-adjustable pedals, fog lamps, and remote start.
The LT trim adds a standard rear camera to the mix along with all of the LS features.
The LTZ model throws in some comfort features such as leather seats and a Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound system with 8 speakers. All trims come with satellite radio and Bluetooth as standard features.
The Honda Ridgeline comes in four trims: RT, Sport, RTS, and RTL.
The RT model reminds us more of how a base model looks. There isn’t even a Bluetooth option on the AM/FM/CD/XM radio, so this truly is a no-frills base model.
The Sport steps it up a bit by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, fog lamps, special “sport” exterior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an auxiliary audio jack.
The Honda Ridgeline RTS adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer, a 6-disc in-dash CD system, steering wheel-mounted controls, auxiliary audio input jack, exterior temperature indicator, and all-weather floor mats. This also includes the standard features from the RT model as well.
The RTL is the top of the Honda lineup and adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, fog lights, a power moonroof, heated mirrors, a leather-trimmed cabin, heated front seats, XM Radio4, HomeLink® remote system, ambient lighting, a 115-volt power outlet, and carpeted floor mats.
If you’re looking to get into a base model with a lot of infotainment options, the Honda Ridgeline is probably not something you’ll go crazy over. However, if you’re looking for a truck with a premium interior, either one of the top trims should be enough to satisfy you.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still wrestling with the decision, we’ll break it down for you: the Chevrolet Avalanche top trim (the LTZ trim) is available for well under $20k with below-average mileage. You’ll get more power and more infotainment options as well as a nice interior.
In contrast, the Honda Ridgeline suffers from nearly inadequate power, poorer-than-average fuel mileage, and a higher used price. Typically, the Sport and RT models can be found sub-$20k with below-average mileage for the 2013 model year. For more on what to look for on buying a used truck, click here.
Our choice would be the Chevrolet Avalanche because of the great bang-for-your-buck savings you’ll get when you purchase a used model.
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