2020 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the American market with a design rooted in its international version, offering a larger and more sophisticated truck than its predecessor. Its exterior styling diverged from the typical American truck trend, presenting a clean and somewhat aggressive look that emphasized its sporty and capable nature. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was functional but not particularly inviting, with hard plastics dominating the interior. While durable, this gave the Ranger a less premium feel compared to competitors like the Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat, each offering varying levels of features and comfort.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a redesign that enhanced its truck-like appearance with a new front end and rear bumper, along with more aggressive tire treads and wheel designs. The Ridgeline's interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, prioritized functionality and comfort, offering generous storage and a spacious cabin. The Ridgeline came in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, with prices ranging from $36,490 to $43,920. It featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a comfortable and versatile midsize pickup.

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, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, provided robust power for both city driving and highway passing. The Ranger excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 7,500 pounds, and offered a payload capacity of 1,860 pounds in its SuperCab 4x2 configuration. However, its ride was somewhat stiff, and it exhibited body roll in corners, 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.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its standard all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management provided excellent traction and handling, distributing up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. While not designed for rock crawling, the Ridgeline handled various terrains with ease, thanks to its Intelligent Traction Management system. Its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds was lower than the Ranger's, but its payload rating of 1,583 pounds was competitive. The Ridgeline's unibody architecture and independent rear suspension contributed to its smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Ford Ranger offered two cab configurations: SuperCab and SuperCrew. The SuperCab, with its 2+2 layout, was less accommodating for adults in the rear seats, while the SuperCrew provided more comfortable seating for five. Both configurations featured practical storage solutions, including deep door pockets and a center console bin. 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 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in interior comfort and utility. Its Sport trim featured manually-adjustable front seats with inboard armrests, while higher trims offered leather seats, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Ridgeline's rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and its triple-zone automatic climate control enhanced passenger comfort. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. The Ridgeline's standout features included a dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk, adding versatility to its cargo-carrying capabilities.

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

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system. While the Sport trim lacked these upgrades, it still provided essential connectivity options. The Ridgeline's technology offerings were straightforward, focusing on functionality and ease of use.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a comprehensive suite 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 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured Honda Sensing as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. While these systems were generally helpful, they were not infallible, as demonstrated during a test drive. The Ridgeline also included a multi-angle reversing camera and blind-spot warning on higher trims. Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering contributed to its strong safety performance, though new testing was required due to its redesign.