2021 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles. SuperCabs had a six-foot cargo bed, while SuperCrews had a five-foot one. The trims included XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by the same turbo four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

The model we tested came in a SuperCrew Lariat configuration, bolstered with the Tremor Off-Road Package, a spray-in bedliner, and a SecuriCode keyless entry pad. Priced at $46,865 (including a $1,195 destination charge), the Tremor package gave the Ranger a subtle yet noticeable stance boost with 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 bed further emphasized its off-roading prowess.

Inside, the combination of Lariat trim and the Tremor’s simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches positioned atop the dashboard made this the most well-equipped Ranger available. It sported a clean, contemporary design with user-friendly controls, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and switchgear reminiscent of a Lincoln, albeit with the hard plastic typical of midsize trucks.

For the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, the Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants were all-new additions, building on the already high-end Denali and AT4 trims. The Sierra lineup featured eight trims: Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. Although the dimensions remained unchanged, the Sierra looked more imposing, courtesy of an updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design. The new split-C headlights and integrated grille accents gave it a seamless and commanding look.

On the Denali, the grille adopted a “tri-linear” theme with thicker and chunkier chrome inserts. The Denali Ultimate’s grille featured exclusive dark-colored “Vader bars.” SLT, AT4, and AT4X trims had more subdued yet equally aggressive grille designs. New 22-inch wheel designs, polished chrome for the Denali and low-gloss black for the Denali Ultimate, added to the truck’s bold demeanor.

Inside, the Sierra’s cabin redesign created a sense of space and sophistication. The AT4X trim, meant for off-road driving, combined luxury with ruggedness through premium leather, genuine Vanta ash wood trim inserts, and a microsuede headliner. The Denali Ultimate’s cabin was the epitome of luxury, featuring full-grain leather, open-pore Paldao wood, and microsuede accents with tasteful topographical maps embossed and laser-etched into the materials.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It delivered 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm, providing ample power and a distinctive muffled chuffing engine note. With 4WD, the driver could switch from 2-Hi to 4-Hi or 4-Lo using a rotary dial. The Terrain Management System included settings for Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow, supported by an electronic locking rear differential and Trail Control for off-road cruising.

The Tremor Off-Road Package added a new suspension with revised springs and Fox off-road performance shocks, resulting in an impressive 9.7 inches of ground clearance. Enhanced approach, breakover, and departure angles, along with a front bash plate and underbody skid plates, made it ready for rugged terrain. Depending on the configuration, the Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and carry up to 1,860 pounds of payload, although the Tremor's maximum payload decreased to 1,430 pounds. The EPA rated it at 19 mpg combined, and our testing loop averaged 18.5 mpg.

Driving the Ranger was enjoyable, thanks to its swift acceleration and refined engine. The Tremor’s suspension provided a comfortable ride on paved roads and superior off-road capabilities. The truck’s handling was average, yet competitive within its segment. Its maneuverability, especially in off-road conditions, was impressive.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including an enhanced 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six. The turbo-four produced 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, over 20% more torque than its 2021 predecessor. The eight-speed automatic transmission had revised gear ratios for smoother shifts, a more rigid cylinder block, and a stiffer crankshaft, leading to reduced noise and increased torque. The turbo-four's maximum towing capacity was 9,600 pounds for 2WD models and 9,300 pounds for 4WD ones.

The diesel engine, with its 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, could tow up to 13,200 pounds with the Max Trailering Package (2WD) and 13,000 pounds (4WD). Other engine options included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission was standard for the diesel and V8 engines, with the high-output V8 standard on the AT4X and Denali Ultimate.

On the road, the Sierra Denali Ultimate provided a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride. Despite its size and weight, it maneuvered easily. The AT4X surprised with its almost equal on-road smoothness and luxury, despite its off-road enhancements. Our off-road test at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park showcased the AT4X's superior suspension travel, class-exclusive front and rear e-locking differentials, and impressive off-road readiness, making steep descents and traversing rough terrain seem effortless.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured individual hoop-style step bars under each door, albeit mounted high and coated with a granular surface for maximum clearance. While handy for shorter passengers, taller individuals found them cumbersome. The SecuriCode system allowed keyless entry via a passcode. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and six-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat were comfortable and heated, but the driver’s seat lacked sufficient track travel for taller individuals.

The rear seat space in the SuperCrew was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, although it lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage included bins under the rear seat cushion, although inconveniently accessed as a single piece. The tailgate, while light and easy to lift, was undampened and noisy upon closing. The cargo bed, with a capacity of 43.3 cubic feet (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs), included four tie-down hooks but lacked additional cargo solutions.

In comparison, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 excelled in interior space and utility, with the short bed offering best-in-class cargo capacity. The interior was roomy, boasting 43 inches of front headroom and 40 inches of rear headroom across cabin types. Front-seat legroom measured 44.5 inches, while rear-seat legroom ranged from 35.2 inches in the double cab to 43.4 inches in the crew cab. Storage spaces were plentiful, although the gloveboxes were on the smaller side.

Ergonomically, the Sierra’s design had some drawbacks. The screens and buttons were positioned low, requiring more eye movement away from the road. The abundance of knobs and buttons could be overwhelming. Notably, off-road controls in the AT4X were split between two locations. However, features such as massaging seats were a luxurious touch, despite their initial operational complexity.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor was equipped with Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display. This system included voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. Navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system were also part of the package. The Sync 3 system, although competitive, was being phased out for the newer Sync 4 system.

The voice recognition technology was hit-or-miss during testing. It struggled with certain commands, including finding locations and playing specific music genres. However, it allowed climate control adjustments via voice commands. Despite its quirks, the system was functional and competitive within its segment.

For the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, larger display screens were standard. The driver information display was a 12.3-inch digital cluster, and the infotainment featured a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. This system was compatible with Android and Apple devices and included three years of complimentary service for AT4 and Denali trims. The Denali models had an interactive start-up screen with scenic topographical maps.

The infotainment system was fast and responsive, with a clean display and large icons. It allowed for personalization and dual modes, displaying both navigation and trailering details simultaneously. Standard features included wireless device charging, and available options encompassed a 15-inch multicolor head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, either as standard or optional equipment. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The system's user-adjustable settings provided subtle warnings. A blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert was also part of this package, covering trailers. Adaptive cruise control was standard with the Lariat trim, though it lacked full-stop or stop-and-go functionality.

For visibility, the Ranger included a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, and wiper-activated headlights. Front and rear parking sensors were also available. In NHTSA testing, the Ranger received an overall rating of four stars, with a three-star rollover rating. IIHS testing yielded top scores except for an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection in the small-overlap frontal-impact test and a "Marginal" rating for its headlights.

The standout feature for the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 was GM’s Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. Super Cruise was intuitive and smooth in operation. It was standard on the Sierra Denali Ultimate and capable of automatic lane changes and trailering. The Sierra also featured up to 14 camera views for trailering assistance and a new GCW Alert for weight overloads. Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and updated adaptive cruise control, operational while trailering, further enhanced safety.

The GMC Pro Safety suite included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic headlights. The 2022 Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from IIHS but scored “Marginal” in the front-passenger small overlap test and “Poor” for headlights. NHTSA gave 2WD models a four-star crashworthiness rating, with 4WD models unrated at the time.