2020 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 carried forward its design from the complete 2019 redesign, which built upon the favored aesthetics of the previous generation. The vehicle featured straight lines and crisp angles, reminiscent of the “GMT 400” trucks from the late 1980s and '90s, providing a timeless and stoic appearance. Inside, the 2020 model looked almost identical to the 2018 version, with a few changes for practicality, such as a flatter dash.

The Sierra was offered in six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, and the AT4 we tested. The Base trim included essential features like a V6 engine, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay. The SLE introduced more tech, including a WiFi hotspot and a larger touchscreen, while the Elevation brought a unique look with body-color bumpers and larger 20-inch wheels. The SLT, Denali, and AT4 trims added even more luxury and off-road capabilities, such as heated seats, chrome accents, and rugged tires.

By contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a significant restyle forward of its windshield and front doors, also getting a new rear bumper with dual exhaust outlets. Honda provided the Ridgeline with more aggressive tires and different wheel designs in black, dark gray, and bronze, the latter part of the new Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package. The HPD package also included unique grille designs and bold stickers on the cargo bed and was available across all trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition.

The 2021 Ridgeline came well-equipped with a standard 280-horsepower V6 engine, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Even the basic Sport trim featured 18-inch aluminum wheels and triple-zone automatic climate control. Our test model, equipped with the HPD Package in Radiant Red Metallic II paint, had a sticker price of $41,039.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a range of five engines, starting from the base 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. GMC offered a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque and a Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter 6-cylinder delivering 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. For those preferring V8 power, there were 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter options, with the latter producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Every engine in the Sierra lineup was mated to an automatic transmission with a column shifter, offering a more traditional truck feel compared to competitors like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. The AT4 model we tested showcased exceptional acceleration and towing capability, handling 12,100 pounds when appropriately equipped, making it well-suited for demanding tasks. However, its off-road enhancements made for a rough on-road ride.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, came with a single 280-horsepower V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive. This powertrain enabled smooth and refined performance with quick acceleration. The Ridgeline lacked the towing power of traditional trucks, topping out at 5,000 pounds, but its payload rating of 1,583 pounds was competitive. The smart AWD system featured torque-vectoring, and Intelligent Traction Management provided specific settings for Snow, Sand, and Mud, although serious off-roading was not the Ridgeline’s strength. During a test at Honda's proving grounds, the Ridgeline demonstrated ease handling various terrains, though it wasn’t built for rock-crawling.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 could be configured with a single cab and a long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, or a crew cab with either a standard or short bed. Our test model featured the innovative carbon-fiber bed, reducing weight for better fuel efficiency, and the MultiPro tailgate, a six-way system offering versatility as a bed-extender or steps. The Sierra’s cabin boasted ample storage, cupholders, and cubbies, while rear seats folded up to provide additional secure storage.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and utility over outright ruggedness, with the most spacious rear seat in its class and standard triple-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered luxury features such as leather seats, a power sunroof, and ambient lighting. Storage was abundant, with a large central console and various compartments throughout the cabin.

The Ridgeline’s composite cargo bed was scratch-resistant, and top trims included a power outlet and in-bed audio system, making it practical for tailgating. Its bed had a capacity of 33.9 cubic feet, and convenience was enhanced by the dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug for easy cleaning. GMC’s Sierra, focused more on traditional truck tasks, offered greater payload (up to 2,240 pounds) and towing capacity (up to 12,100 pounds), making it more suitable for heavy-duty uses.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500’s infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, featuring clear graphics and intuitive controls for radio and climate settings. The AT4 trim included advanced tech such as a HUD, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like navigation, premium sound, and wireless charging. Even the least expensive Ridgeline wasn't overly stripped down, but it didn't offer much more than the basic tech compared to more analog competitors.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 came equipped with standard safety features like a reversing camera, traction control, and multiple airbags. Our AT4 model included extra safety tech such as a surround-view camera, parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, GMC's rear camera mirror provided a digital rear-view image, improving visibility.

On the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, Honda Sensing was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. While effective, these systems occasionally misidentified obstacles, causing sudden braking. The Ridgeline also met Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crashworthiness standards and came equipped with a multi-angle reversing camera and blind-spot warning for all but the base model.