Traditionally, most trucks that have been manufactured in the past were built with utility in mind. Truck manufacturers used to mainly worry about load carrying and towing.
However, manufacturers started to realize that there was a market for trucks that can also be used as comfortable daily drivers or family vehicles.
As a result, the Chevrolet Avalanche hit the market in 2001. Compared to traditional trucks, they lacked in sturdiness and load-bearing capability but we’re far more comfortable. With Chevrolet achieving success in this category, other manufacturers started to take notice. Soon after, Honda introduced the Ridgeline in 2004.
With both these vehicles being in the same category based on functionality, it is very possible that someone would consider Avalanche vs Ridgeline as their preferred choice of a truck. In this article, we’ll take a look at the key differences between these two and suggest which one could be better for your needs.
Here is the Short Answer: Which One is Better?
Before we go into the details, looking at the most important details when it comes to choosing a truck such as carrying capacity as well as cargo area, it seems that the Chevy Avalanche would probably be the more suitable choice. However, the Honda Ridgeline still has a lot going its way and could still be the better vehicle for you.
Avalanche vs Ridgeline (key Difference)
| Differences | Chevy Avalanche | Honda Ridgeline | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | Rear-wheel drive/four-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive/ four-wheel drive | The Avalanche will be better for towing and handling, whereas the Ridgeline will be better at fuel conservation and cost-saving. |
| Valves, Horsepower and Torque | V8 320 HP 335 lb-ft | V6 250 HP 247 lb-ft | The Avalanche produces more power and torque. |
| Gears | 6 | 5 | The Avalanche has more gears, ensuring smoother transmission. |
| Engine Block Material | Cast iron | Aluminum Alloy | The Avalanche’s engine block is sturdier and more durable. The Ridgeline’s engine block is easier to repair and lighter. |
| Interior Space (on average in both rows) | Headroom = 41in Legroom = 40 in approx. Hip room = 63 in approx. | Headroom = 40 in Legroom = 38 in approx. Hip room = 57 in approx. | The Avalanche is much more spacious. |
| Cargo area dimensions | Bed length = 63.3 in Bed width = 50 in Volume = 45.5 ft3 | Bed length = 60 in Bed width = 49.5 in Volume = 41.4 ft3 | The bed area of the Avalanche is slightly more spacious. |
| Payload | Max 1263 lbs | Max 1546lbs | The Ridgeline can carry much more weight. |
| Towing | Max 7900 lbs | Max 5000 lbs | The Avalanche can tow a much heavier object |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 31.5 gal | 22 gal | The Avalanche can go much further without refueling. |
| Price Tag | 40,000 USD – 46,000 USD | 30,000 USD – 37,000 USD | The Ridgeline is the cheaper option to buy |
Here are the key differences between the Chevy Avalanche and the Honda Ridgeline:
Layout
Both of these trucks can be toggled into four-wheel drive mode if needed. However, when they’re driving on the two-wheel-drive system, the Avalanche has a rear-wheel-drive system whereas the Ridgeline has a front-wheel-drive system.
The Avalanche’s RWD allows it to be better at towing and carrying, as the cargo area, as well as the tow, exert more pressure on the rear wheel of the truck. Having the power go to the rear wheel also allows the truck to maintain more traction and improve handling.
Engine and Transmission Specifications
In terms of engines, the Avalanche is powered by a 5.3L Vortec V8 engine that produces 320 horsepower and 335 ft-lbs of torque. On the other hand, the Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5L V6 SOHC 24v engine which produces 250 horsepower and 247 ft-lb of torque.
The engine’s ability to pull the payload as well as the trailer is extremely important. The more powerful the engine, the more load and the faster the truck can pull.
For transmission, the Avalanche again beats out the Ridgeline, having a 6-speed automatic transmission. Compared to the Ridgeline’s 5-speed automatic, the Avalanche will be able to accelerate faster while keeping the RPMs low.
In this category, the Avalanche is the clear winner.
Engine Block Material
The Avalanche’s Vortec engine block is made of cast iron in contrast to the Ridgeline’s Aluminum alloy block. Cast iron blocks are stronger and more durable, therefore, tend to last longer.
However, when structural damages do happen, cast iron blocks are much more expensive to repair. In addition, aluminum alloy blocks are much lighter too, which reduces the weight of the truck.
Therefore, both the trucks have their advantages and disadvantages in this category.
Interior and Cargo Area
In both the interior area available as well as a storage area in the truck bed, the Avalanche proves to be much more spacious. The Avalanche carries a higher volume of cargo and passengers of the Avalanche will have a more spacious ride, making it the clear winner.
In addition to this, the Avalanche can also remove its midgate which can extend the cargo area over where the back seats would be.
Payload and Towing
Payload is one of the very few categories where the Ridgeline narrowly beats out the Avalanche, as it can carry about 250 lbs more than the Chevy.
However, the Avalanche blows the Ridgeline out of the park in terms of trailering capabilities, as it can tow almost 3000 lbs more.
Fuel Tank Capacity
The Avalanche’s tank can contain a significantly higher amount of fuel than the Ridgeline, allowing it to have a much higher range. This can be a crucial advantage when driving long distances, as you will not have to stop to refuel as much.
One thing we must mention is that even with all the advantages, the brand new Avalanche was about 10,000 USD more expensive than the Ridgeline which can be a huge concern for potential customers.
Avalanche and Ridgeline Similarities
The comparison of Ridgeline vs Avalanche may contain a lot of dissimilarities, but there are a few similarities as well. Firstly, both of these trucks have a unibody chassis structure. This means that the body and the chassis of the trucks are built as a single piece and cannot be separated. Unibody structures are much cheaper to build but tend to not be as strong and durable as body-on-frame structures.
Secondly, even with different engine displacements, these trucks have very similar mileages as both of these vehicles go about 17 miles per gallon combined between city and highway.
Another similarity is that both of these trucks have all-wheel disc brakes accompanied by ABS. This is an improvement over a lot of traditional trucks of that time period that used drum brakes.
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people also ask (FAQs)
Are Chevy Avalanches fast?
The Chevy Avalanche is quite fast for a truck, having a claimed 0-60 time of around 6.9-7.9 seconds as well as a claimed top speed of 125 mph.
However as the Avalanche seized production in 2014, you can only find used models in the market which will probably be a little slower. This is because, with time and mileage, the vehicle is expected to lose some performance.
How long can Honda Ridgeline last?
Made by a Japanese manufacturer, it comes as no surprise as the Honda Ridgeline tends to last for a long time. In fact, some automotive journalists claim the Ridgeline to easily be one of the most if not the most reliable trucks to have ever been manufactured. Owners claimed that their Ridgelines lasted upwards of 200,000 – 250,000 miles with minimal maintenance.
Is there a GMC version of the Avalanche?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a GMC version of the Chevy Avalanche. Some people suggest that the GMC Sierra is related to the Avalanche, however, this is not true, as the Sierra is more related to the Chevy Silverado.
However, there is a small truck that GMC manufactured during the 2010s known as the GMC Canyon. Even though it is of a similar size as the Avalanche, it lacks a lot compared to the Avalanche and therefore cannot be considered a version of the Avalanche.
