2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

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. 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 2022 Honda Ridgeline, built on a unibody platform, offered a more car-like feel. Its conservative styling was highlighted by a snub nose and a classic pickup rear view. The Black Edition test vehicle featured Berlina Black paint and matching wheels and trim. Inside, the Ridgeline's no-nonsense design was complemented by high-quality fit and finish. The Black Edition came well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, delivered an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its size, it averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The diesel engine's power was evident, effortlessly motivating the F-350, and the 10-speed automatic transmission performed well under various conditions. The Tremor off-road package added significant off-road capabilities, including 10.4 inches of ground clearance and a water fording capability of 33 inches. However, the truck's size made parking and navigating tight spaces challenging, and the ride quality could be harsh when unloaded.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, with its 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, offered a smooth and comfortable ride. The nine-speed automatic transmission, however, was slow to respond, and the engine start-stop system was sluggish. The Ridgeline's unibody platform provided a luxury car-like ride quality, with fully independent suspension and torque vectoring AWD enhancing handling precision. However, its off-road capabilities were limited compared to traditional pickups, with a maximum ground clearance of 7.64 inches and no dedicated off-road version.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided ample space for five passengers, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats. The interior featured a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins for storage. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with plenty of legroom and heated outboard seats. The cargo bed, equipped with the BoxLink system and an optional spray-in bedliner, was easy to secure cargo in, though accessing it required the integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, available only with a four-door crew cab and 64-inch bed, offered a good balance of passenger and cargo space. The bed featured a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk, a slot for the spare tire, an in-bed audio system, and a 115-volt AC outlet. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed allowed for versatile cargo handling. Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage under the rear seats, a large center console, and a wireless phone charger. The cabin felt roomy, with a wider stance and lower cowl height enhancing the sense of space.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's 8-inch touchscreen ran the Sync 3 infotainment system, 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 assist features. The system occasionally hung or ignored inputs, but 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.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation were available on higher trims. While the interface was not cutting edge, it was easy to navigate, with analog controls for vital functions. The system lacked unique features but was user-friendly and functional.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing about 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. It featured 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 careful mirror positioning to be effective.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was standard on higher trims, with the warning light well-placed inside the cabin. However, the Ridgeline lacked a 360-degree camera system.