2020 Honda Ridgeline vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, bringing with it a design influenced by its international version. This iteration was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor, with a clean and somewhat aggressive appearance that set it apart from the bulkier American truck trend. Inside, the Ranger featured a function-first cabin with hard plastics, which, while durable, gave it a less refined feel compared to competitors like the Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger offered three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat, each with varying levels of features and amenities, from basic steel wheels and vinyl floors in the XL to leather upholstery and ambient lighting in the Lariat.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, faced some criticism for its minivan-like front design, which contrasted with the rugged image typically associated with trucks. Despite this, the Ridgeline offered a comfortable and high-quality interior, reminiscent of the Honda Pilot, with soft-touch surfaces and metallic accents. For 2020, Honda introduced a new nine-speed automatic transmission and made Honda Sensing ADAS standard. The Ridgeline's lineup was simplified to four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, with the RTL-E trim offering features like perforated leather upholstery and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's interior was praised for its comfort and utility, though its rear seat legroom was somewhat limited.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, offering either rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. The Ranger's turbo engine provided ample power for low-speed driving and highway passing, and it boasted a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds. However, the Ranger's ride was noted to be stiff, with some chatter and vibration over bumps, making it less comfortable than the Honda Ridgeline. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages, which added features like off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and Trail Control.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline's engine was smooth and responsive, and the truck offered front-wheel drive as standard, with optional all-wheel drive available on Sport and RTL trims, and standard on RTL-E and Black Edition trims. The Ridgeline's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system provided enhanced traction and torque-vectoring capabilities, making it enjoyable to drive on various terrains. While not as off-road capable as some competitors, the Ridgeline excelled in on-road comfort and handling, with an independent rear suspension and a multi-purpose platform. The Ridgeline's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined for all-wheel-drive models, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab, with its 2+2 seating layout, was more suited for children, while the SuperCrew offered a full rear bench for five passengers. The Ranger's interior featured deep storage pockets and a practical layout, though the rear seats in the SuperCab were less accessible due to clamshell half-doors. The Ranger's bed options included a six-foot bed for the SuperCab and a five-foot bed for the SuperCrew, with available features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline provided the comfort and utility of a Honda Pilot, with a 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed replacing the third-row seat. The Ridgeline's front seats were comfortable, with adjustable armrests and standard heated seats in most trims. The rear seat, while short on legroom, was comfortable and featured air conditioning vents. The Ridgeline excelled in in-cab storage, with numerous compartments and a flip-up rear seat cushion for additional space. The composite cargo bed included a 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug, and the tailgate could drop or swing to the side. A power outlet and truck-bed audio system added to the Ridgeline's versatility.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port, along with FordPass Connect for remote access and WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda's Display Audio system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen. While the system lacked physical knobs and buttons, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the RTL-E and Black Edition added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system with a truck-bed audio system. However, the system's user experience was noted to be less intuitive.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it had a recall related to its ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline featured standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added automatic high-beam headlights and blind-spot warning. The Ridgeline received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with only a minor deduction for rollover resistance.