2021 Ford Ranger vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with the former featuring a six-foot cargo bed and the latter a five-foot bed. Trim levels included XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). Our test model, a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, came with a spray-in bedliner and a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, priced at $46,865 including destination charges. The Tremor package added unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road hoop-style side steps, giving the Ranger a rugged, off-road-ready appearance. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with Tremor’s simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches made it the best-equipped Ranger available. The cabin featured a clean, contemporary design with simple controls, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and switchgear that wouldn’t be out of place in a Lincoln.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. Inside, the Sierra HD's interior was functional but lacked the material quality found in competitors from Ram and Ford. The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels and three body styles, with the Pro trim aimed at fleet operators and the Denali offering luxury features. Our test truck, the off-road-focused AT4 trim, featured black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, a hood air-induction system, red recovery hooks, 20-inch wheels, and a high-clearance step. Inside, it had Jet Black with Kalahari upholstery, heated and ventilated front leather seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium floor liners, a premium GMC infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and Bose premium audio, making it a rugged yet luxurious off-roader.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. The Ranger's 4WD system allowed switching between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo using a rotary dial on the center console. The Tremor Off-Road Package added a Terrain Management System with settings for Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow, an electronic locking rear differential, and Trail Control for low-speed off-road driving. The Tremor's off-road suspension included revised springs and Fox off-road performance shocks, providing 9.7 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up to 1,860 pounds of payload, though the Tremor's maximum payload decreased to 1,430 pounds. The EPA fuel economy rating was 19 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 18.5 mpg during testing. The Ranger's turbocharged engine provided swift acceleration, and the Tremor's suspension offered a comfortable ride on paved roads and impressive off-road capability.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two powerful 6.6-liter V8 engines: a standard gas engine and an optional Duramax turbodiesel, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax diesel produced 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Sierra 2500HD to tow up to 18,500 pounds and haul a maximum payload of 3,597 pounds. While not the most powerful in its class, the Duramax engine provided abundant power, and the Allison transmission delivered smooth shifts. The Sierra 2500HD's ride was jittery when unladen but improved with added weight. The AT4 trim's off-road equipment, including an automatic-locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case, a traction-select system, and the X31 off-road suspension, made it highly capable off-road. The AT4 handled off-road terrain with ease, though we experienced some vibration from the steering column on rough terrain.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured hoop-style step bars with a granular surface, mounted high for maximum clearance but limiting their usefulness for shorter people and posing a problem for taller individuals. The SecuriCode keyless entry pad allowed locking and unlocking the doors using a passcode, though it appeared glued onto the doors, which sounded tinny when shut. The eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and six-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat were comfortable and heated, though the driver’s seat needed more seat track travel for tall drivers. Rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, but the Ranger lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage was decent, though the rear-seat cushion lifted as a single piece, and the tailgate was undampened but lightweight. The cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) but lacked cargo solutions beyond four tie-down hooks.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD, seating up to six passengers with a front-row bench seat. Passenger space was abundant in all seating positions, with plenty of headroom, legroom, knee room, and hip room. Getting into the Sierra 2500HD required effort due to its height, but the flat side step and assist handle aided traction and access. The center console provided ample storage for an iPad or small laptop, and dual glove boxes and hidden rear seat storage compartments added convenience. The rear center seat had a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and beneath the flip-and-fold back seat was additional storage. Our test vehicle featured a 120-volt household-style power outlet, USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The MultiPro tailgate, standard on SLE and above, offered six functions for improved loading and unloading, and combined with the rear power outlet, it created a mobile office.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. Navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system were also included. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive with other midsize trucks. Voice recognition performance was inconsistent, sometimes providing incorrect results. The climate system was integrated with Sync 3, allowing temperature adjustments via voice commands.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, with navigation available on SLT and AT4 trims and standard on Denali. The Sierra 2500HD included hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. Our test vehicle's Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, though the voice-recognition system occasionally delivered odd results. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, made trailer hookup and monitoring easier. The standard rear camera mirror provided a clear view behind, especially useful when the rear seats were occupied.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard on Lariat trim. The Ranger also featured a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. The NHTSA gave the Ranger an overall rating of four stars, with a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Ranger highly, except for an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection in the small-overlap frontal-impact test and a "Marginal" rating for its headlights.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD included advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard features included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. The Sierra 2500HD's mass provided safety benefits in collisions but posed risks to smaller vehicles and pedestrians. The numerous camera views were essential for safety, and we recommended opting for as many safety systems and cameras as possible. Due to its high GVWR, the NHTSA and IIHS had not rated the crashworthiness of the 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD.