2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, especially in its Limited trim, exuded a luxurious yet robust presence. Gleaming in Iconic Silver with a chrome grille and polished wheels, it was a sight to behold. The interior was equally impressive, featuring plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and a spacious, well-organized cabin. The power-deploying running boards made entry easy, and the cavernous space inside provided ample room for passengers and cargo alike. The Limited trim added a touch of luxury with soft two-tone leather, real wood, and aluminum trim, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline focused on a more functional and modern design. The redesigned front end and new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets gave it a more aggressive look. The HPD Package added oversized fender trim, unique grille design, and bold stickers, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the Ridgeline emphasized functionality with generous storage, hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning, and a roomy rear seat. The Sport trim featured cloth seats with a subtle pattern, and the overall interior design was modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, prioritizing comfort and utility.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty was a powerhouse, thanks to its 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, which produced 475 horsepower and an astounding 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size, the F-350 managed a fuel efficiency of 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The truck's 10-speed automatic transmission and adaptive steering made it capable of handling various terrains, including off-road adventures with the Tremor package. However, its size made parking and maneuvering in tight spaces challenging, and the brakes required a fair amount of muscle to operate effectively.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine, offered a smooth and refined driving experience. The nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) provided excellent handling and quick acceleration. The Ridgeline's unibody architecture and independent rear suspension made it more agile and enjoyable to drive compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks. While its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds was modest, its payload rating of 1,583 pounds was competitive. The Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain and handled off-road conditions with ease, though it wasn't designed for rock crawling.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's interior was spacious and luxurious, especially in the Limited trim. The crew cab provided ample room for five passengers, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The rear seats offered impressive legroom, though the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. Storage was abundant, with a large center console, dual glove compartments, and various bins. The cargo bed was easy to access with the integrated tailgate step and BoxLink system, and the optional spray-in bedliner added protection and grip.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and functionality. The Sport trim featured manually-adjustable front seats with inboard armrests and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and the standard triple-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort for all passengers. Higher trims offered additional features like leather seats, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. The dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk added to the Ridgeline's utility, making it easy to load and unload cargo.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen running Sync 3, which included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a B&O premium sound system. However, the small screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer assistance features. The system occasionally lagged or ignored inputs, but the separate stereo and climate controls helped limit interaction with the screen. The driver information display offered extensive menus for safety, towing, off-roading, and efficiency, providing plenty of control over the truck's configuration.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Sport trim test truck lacked these upgrades, but Apple CarPlay made streaming music and finding destinations easy. The Ridgeline's infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, though it didn't offer as many advanced features as some competitors.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing around 7,300 pounds, likely provided good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. It offered a range of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control performed unevenly in traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror adjustment to be effective, and the 911 Assist feature could contact emergency responders after a collision.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. While these features were mostly helpful, they were not fail-proof. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera, and higher trims included blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and automatic high-beam headlights. The Ridgeline's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure aimed to maximize crash energy absorption and deflection, contributing to its high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.