2020 Ford F-150 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Ford F-150 exhibited an understated yet confident design. Unlike its rival, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which leaned into aggressive, abstract aesthetics, the F-150 embraced clean lines and a blocky grille that exuded confidence without demanding too much attention. The styling indicated that the truck would remain visually appealing even when it reached its third owner. Inside, the F-150 featured a straightforward, mechanical-looking dashboard that seemed cold and unwelcoming initially but came alive with the infotainment system's startup. It prioritized functionality over form, with lower and upper trims bathed in durable hard plastics. The luxurious trims added some soft-touch materials and leather but never quite achieved the luxury feel of the Ram 1500. The cabin seemed built to take a beating, focusing on durability rather than opulence.

The F-150 came in multiple trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited. The XL trim was the basic work truck with limited standard features but did include steel wheels, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, manual locks, and standard forward automatic emergency braking. The XLT added more features like 17-inch aluminum wheels and cruise control. The Lariat trim positioned itself between work and luxury, offering leather-trimmed seats, heated power-folding side mirrors, and dual-zone climate control. King Ranch introduced a Western vibe with saddle-leather upholstery and special stitching. The Platinum trim emphasized chrome accents and premium features like massaging seats. The Raptor was built for off-roading with its wider body and specialized gear, whereas the Limited trim topped the range with satin aluminum accents, 22-inch wheels, and a moonroof.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline focused on ensuring the truck looked like a truck. Honda redesigned the Ridgeline ahead of the windshield and front doors and added a new rear bumper with dual exhaust outlets. Aggressive tires, new wheel designs, and the option of the Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package with distinctive features and bold stickers embodied this approach. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims, with prices stretching from $36,490 to $43,920. Unlike basic trucks, the Ridgeline in its simplest form offered a 280-horsepower V6 engine, AWD, a nine-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch aluminum wheels, triple-zone climate control, and smartphone integration, making it far from stripped-down.

Our test version of the Ridgeline came with standard Sport trim, all-weather rubber floor mats, and the HPD Package, reaching $41,039 with destination charges. The Sport trim offered black cloth seats which, despite being durable and attractive, tended to attract pet hair. Based on the Honda Pilot SUV, the Ridgeline's interior was highly functional, emphasizing storage spaces and ease of cleaning with hard plastic surfaces.

The 2020 Ford F-150 provided a variety of powertrains. The XL and XLT trims came standard with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, these trims were available with a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 offering 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. For those needing more cylinders, Ford offered a 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. Another option was the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, providing 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The most fuel-efficient option was the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.

Higher trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with a Drive Mode selector offering Normal, Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect, and Sport modes, while the base trims came with a 6-speed automatic. The F-150’s top towing capacity of 12,300 pounds required specific configurations. Despite being a full-size truck, it handled like a smaller vehicle and delivered responsive steering and a refined ride. The off-road-focused Raptor trim boasted a lifted suspension and advanced Fox Racing Shox, adapting in real-time and offering multiple terrain management modes.

For the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, there was only one powertrain: a 280-horsepower V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered 262 pound-feet of torque. The Ridgeline featured AWD with Intelligent Variable Torque Management, allowing torque-vectoring to enhance traction. It included Intelligent Traction Management providing Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, though it wasn't meant for rock crawling due to its modest ground clearance and shallow angles.

With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Ridgeline lagged behind full-size trucks but offered a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity. Its unibody architecture ensured a smoother and more agile driving experience, unlike traditional body-on-frame trucks. Honda also engineered the Ridgeline's chassis for truck duties despite sharing its underpinnings with the Passport and Pilot SUVs. When tested in off-road conditions, the Ridgeline showcased its capability, handling various terrains easily.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes: Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew, with bed sizes ranging from 5.5 to 8 feet. The Regular Cab was a traditional cab, while the SuperCab featured rear half-doors requiring the front doors to be opened first. For frequent rear-seat access, the SuperCrew was ideal with its full four-door configuration and exceptional rear legroom. It provided ample storage, including numerous cubbies, deep in-door pockets, and a large center console storage bin. The bed had a step that extended from the tailgate for easier access.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was designed for midsize pickup owners prioritizing comfort and functionality. The Sport trim had manually adjustable front seats with inboard armrests and a roomy rear seat, featuring triple-zone automatic climate control for enhanced comfort. Higher trims added premium features like leather seats, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The cargo bed was composite, resistant to dents and scratches, and had strategically placed tie-down hooks. The bed’s highlight was its power-locking dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk with a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The Ridgeline’s bed offered 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space and could accommodate building materials laying flat. While the F-150 excelled in payload and towing capacities, the Ridgeline focused on utilitarian features that improved convenience for everyday users.

In 2020, the Ford F-150 XL trim offered a basic AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input jack and a few speakers. The XLT trim stepped up with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen that provided Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, enhanced voice recognition, and USB ports. This system stood out for its ease of use with simple navigation and large fonts. Higher trims also included FordPass, a 4G WiFi modem that connected up to 10 devices and provided remote vehicle operations via a mobile app. Additionally, the F-150 had an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system for superior audio performance.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system which included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport trim, while basic, benefitted from Apple CarPlay for music streaming and navigation. The technology in the Ridgeline was straightforward, catering to users preferring a more analog experience compared to other trucks.

The 2020 Ford F-150 provided numerous standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, tire-pressure monitoring, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. It also included rain-sensing headlights and the SOS post-crash alert system. Ford made pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking standard even on the base XL trim. Higher trims could be equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, offering additional driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a notable feature, simplifying trailer maneuvering. The F-150 earned top crash-test ratings, with the SuperCrew receiving 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA and high marks from IIHS.

For the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, Honda Sensing was standard across all trims, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lanekeeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. While generally effective, there were occasional misinterpretations during driving, such as sudden braking due to obstacles in adjacent lanes. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera and blind-spot warning from the RTL trim onwards. Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) standards contributed to strong safety ratings in previous models, and new tests awaited for the redesigned front-end.