2021 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Ford Ranger came in two cab styles: SuperCab and SuperCrew. The SuperCab featured a six-foot cargo bed, while the SuperCrew had a five-foot cargo bed. Available trim levels included the XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD).

Our test truck, a SuperCrew Lariat, boasted the Tremor Off-Road Package, which included a spray-in bedliner and a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, contributing to its $46,865 price tag. The Tremor equipment gave the Ranger an elevated stance due to its unique 17-inch dark gray wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. Red grille accents, front and rear tow hooks, off-road hoop-style side steps, and “Tremor” graphics on the sides of the bed further emphasized its off-road capability. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with the Tremor's simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches on the dashboard, making it the best-equipped Ranger available.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a redesign in its front section forward of the windshield and doors, and received a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets. It featured more aggressive shoulder treads on the tires and new wheel designs in black, dark gray, and bronze. The HPD Package added oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold stickers on the cargo bed, customizable across all trim levels: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition. Prices ranged from $36,490 to $43,920, with a $1,175 destination charge.

Our test Ridgeline included standard Sport trim, Radiant Red Metallic II paint, and the HPD Package, totaling $41,039. The Sport trim featured cloth seats available only in black, which, while durable, attracted pet hair. Modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, it prioritized functionality with much storage. The Ridgeline's cabin combined hard plastic surfaces to ensure easy cleanup after adventures.

The 2021 Ford Ranger relied on a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. Equipped with 4WD, the Ranger offered switchable settings between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo via a rotary dial on the center console. The Tremor version included a Terrain Management System featuring settings like Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow. An electronic locking rear differential, Trail Control, and improved off-road suspension with Fox off-road performance shocks further enhanced its off-road capabilities, providing 9.7 inches of ground clearance.

With a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,860 pounds (reduced to 1,430 pounds in Tremor specification), the Ranger was no slouch in utility. However, its fuel economy rating dropped to 19 mpg combined for the Tremor, and during testing, it averaged 18.5 mpg. On paved roads, the turbo engine ensured swift acceleration, while the all-terrain tires and tuned suspension provided a comfortable ride and capable handling.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine producing 262 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Power was distributed via standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, which could send up to 70% of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management offered settings for Snow, Sand, and Mud. The Ridgeline boasted an impressive unibody architecture, independent rear suspension, and all-season tires, combining to deliver exceptional on-road performance and a sportier driving experience compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks.

With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,583 pounds, the Ridgeline fell short in towing but remained competitive in payload. Though its 7.64 inches of ground clearance limited its off-roading potential, the Ridgeline proved adept on dirt trails and sandy terrains during tests at Honda’s proving grounds.

The 2021 Ford Ranger's Tremor version came with hoop-style step bars, more suitable for shorter individuals due to their high placement, which reduced their utility for taller occupants. The included SecuriCode allowed door locking and unlocking with a passcode, though the device seemed poorly integrated with the door panel. Comfortable seating included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, both heated. Despite ample rear-seat space, the lack of rear air conditioning vents and a manual sliding rear window were drawbacks. The storage bins under the rear seats raised inconvenience due to their singular lifting design. The cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet (or 51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) of storage, but its tailgate, though light, lacked dampening and cargo solutions, aside from tie-down hooks.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled with manually adjustable front seats offering inboard armrests, while higher trims added features like leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. Rear-seat space was the roomiest in the class, complemented by the standard triple-zone automatic climate control. Built-in storage solutions included a large center console with a rolltop cover, door panel shelves, and numerous bins. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, featuring substantial tie-down hooks and an available in-bed audio system. Its 33.9 cubic-foot bed held building materials flat thanks to minimal wheel well intrusion. Notable features included a dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk with a drain plug.

Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the Ranger Tremor. It included voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also featured navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. However, the voice recognition technology showed inconsistency, providing incorrect directions and responses during tests.

Honda equipped every Ridgeline with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a seven-speaker sound system. Additional features on higher trims included SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, traffic information, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport trim of our test vehicle lacked these upgrades, but Apple CarPlay facilitated music streaming and navigation. Overall, the Ridgeline's technology offerings were more analog and straightforward compared to competitors.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite provided several driver-assist features, either as standard or optional across the Ranger lineup. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, subtle lane warning vibrations often went unnoticed. The package also featured a blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage and rain-sensing wipers, though the adaptive cruise control lacked stop-and-go capability. The Ranger earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating, and top scores from the IIHS except for “Acceptable” and “Marginal” ratings in specific crash tests.

Honda's Ridgeline came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. However, adaptive cruise control showed over-sensitivity, causing abrupt braking on curved roads. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera, and higher trims added blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning and automatic high-beam headlights. Built to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, the Ridgeline had earned high safety ratings previously, though the redesigned 2021 model awaited new tests.