2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2020 Honda Ridgeline

When the 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrived for evaluation, it was clear that its design was a point of contention. My 12-year-old daughter remarked that it looked like a minivan in the front and a pickup truck in the back, highlighting a potential design and image problem for Honda. Trucks are traditionally expected to look rugged and tough, but the Ridgeline's second-generation design seemed to swing too far towards a more suburban aesthetic. Despite this, Honda made several updates for the 2020 model year, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission, standard Honda Sensing ADAS, and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The interior, equipped with perforated leather upholstery and soft-touch surfaces, exuded quality, though it closely resembled the Honda Pilot's dashboard.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was all about style and the upscale Denali trim level. The Sierra AT4 test truck, priced at $66,695 MSRP, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension with Rancho monotube shocks, and unique design details like red front recovery hooks. The black-on-black Sierra looked impressive but was challenging to keep clean. Inside, the truck had a sea of black plastic with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents. The cabin reflected standard Sierra quality with an industrial-themed design, but it lacked the luxury expected at its price point.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had undergone continuous improvements for better shift quality. The Ridgeline offered front-wheel drive for Sport and RTL trims, with all-wheel drive (i-VTM4) available for those trims and standard on RTL-E and Black Edition. The i-VTM4 system could transfer up to 70% of the engine's power to the rear axle, enhancing traction and providing a torque-vectoring effect. The Ridgeline also featured Eco, Normal, and Sport drivetrain modes, along with Snow, Mud, and Sand driving modes. The EPA rated the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline at 21 mpg combined, and it had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which performed flawlessly. The Sierra's automatic four-wheel-drive system was easy to use, and the truck averaged 21.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's rating of 24 mpg combined. The AT4's suspension handled tough terrain confidently, and the truck had a towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds and a payload rating of 2,150 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline offered the comfort and utility of a Honda Pilot with a 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed. The front seats were comfortable, with heated front chairs standard on all trims except Sport. The rear seat was short on legroom but comfortable, with air conditioning vents for rear passengers. The Ridgeline's in-cab storage was generous, and the composite cargo bed featured a 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug. The tailgate could drop traditionally or swing to the side, and a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet and truck-bed audio system added to its functionality.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 provided large, supportive front seats with power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were spacious, with heated seats and air conditioning vents. The CarbonPro Edition package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, saving 60 pounds of curb weight and improving durability. The Sierra's bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs. However, the in-cab storage was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups, with smaller or narrower compartments.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system lacked physical knobs and buttons, and the voice-recognition technology was slow to respond. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker premium sound system with a truck-bed audio system, but user experience issues persisted.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 came with numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, with the test truck featuring the 8-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The Sierra AT4's Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' offerings.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims added automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Ridgeline earned top marks in most crash tests from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking as options. The Denali trim included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat available on other trims. Adaptive cruise control was optional for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Sierra earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front passenger protection and LATCH anchor accessibility.