2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2021 Ford Ranger exhibited a robust yet refined appearance with its varying configurations. Available in SuperCab, sporting a six-foot cargo bed, or SuperCrew, featuring a five-foot cargo bed, the Ranger offered flexibility for various needs. Trim levels ranged from the basic XL to the well-equipped Lariat, all of which housed the same turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with choices between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD).

Our test model, the SuperCrew Lariat, came with the Tremor Off-Road Package, spray-in bedliner, and SecuriCode keyless entry pad, marked at $46,865 including a destination charge. This configuration boasted off-roading flair with 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, tow hooks, side steps, and Tremor graphics. These features enhanced the truck’s purposeful look, making it sit slightly higher and wider than a typical Ranger.

The cabin, designed with a clean and contemporary aesthetic, included intuitive radio and climate controls, a mix of digital and analog instrumentation, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and high-quality switchgear. The Lariat trim featured simulated suede seat inserts and all-weather floor mats, enhancing the overall cabin ambiance. Despite the prevalent use of hard plastics, the materials did not feel cheap.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, built on a unibody platform similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot, aimed for increased rigidity and a more car-like ride. While innovative in its construction, the Ridgeline's styling leaned towards conservative, marked by a distinctive snub nose. The rear view retained a traditional pickup look with vertical taillights and dual exhausts.

Debuting in 2017 with a more rounded front, the Ridgeline received a blockier grille for 2021, enhancing its truck-like appearance. The 2022 model, available with Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages adding fender flares and alloy wheels, sported more visual flair. Our test vehicle, a Black Edition, featured black wheels and trim, matching its Berlina Black paint.

Inside, the Ridgeline offered no-nonsense design and high-quality fit and finish. The Black Line test model came well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the prevalent piano black trim was easily smudged and scratched, detracting from the overall interior appeal.

The 2021 Ford Ranger housed 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 delivered ample power, accompanied by a distinctive engine note.

With 4WD, drivers could switch between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo using a rotary dial. The Ranger Tremor included a Terrain Management System with settings for Normal, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Grass/Gravel/Snow, along with an electronic locking rear differential and Trail Control. This off-road package added revised springs, Fox off-road shocks, and 9.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up to 1,860 pounds, but the Tremor specification reduced the payload capacity to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with our testing loop averaging 18.5 mpg.

Driving the Ranger offered a refined experience, with swift acceleration from the turbocharged engine and a suspension that balanced on and off-road prowess. Its handling was average but competitive, particularly impressive off-road with the Tremor package.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. While not leading in towing or payload capacity—5,000 pounds and up to 1,583 pounds respectively—the V6 provided more than enough power for daily driving. However, the nine-speed automatic struggled with slow response times, and the engine start-stop system detracted from the overall experience.

The Ridgeline excelled in ride quality and handling thanks to its unibody platform, independent suspension, and torque vectoring AWD. It felt more like a luxury car than a traditional truck, providing a quiet cabin and precise handling. However, the design limited its off-road capabilities, offering only 7.64 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured practical yet somewhat cumbersome hoop-style step bars and a SecuriCode entry system. The adjustable seats were comfortable but needed more travel range for taller drivers. The rear seats were comparatively spacious for a midsize truck, although they lacked amenities like air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding window.

Storage was decent, with bins under the rear-seat cushion, though the one-piece lift design was inconvenient. The tailgate, while undampened, was light and easy to maneuver. The cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet (SuperCrew) or 51.8 cubic feet (SuperCab), but aside from tie-down hooks, it lacked built-in cargo solutions, although Ford provided accessories for customization.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline only offered a four-door crew cab with a 64-inch bed, balancing passenger and cargo space well. Its bed featured a 7.3-cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug and a slot for the spare tire, keeping dirty items secure and accessible. Honda also provided an in-bed audio system and a 115-volt AC outlet. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed accommodated 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood easily.

Inside, the Ridgeline offered under-seat storage, rear USB ports (in higher trims), and a front area with a large center console bin and wireless phone charger. Controls were well-laid out with physical toggles for cabin temperature, making them user-friendly. Despite similar headroom and legroom on paper, the Ridgeline felt more spacious due to a wider stance and lower cowl height.

The 2021 Ford Ranger came equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. It supported voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink, Ford+Alexa, and FordPass Connect with 4G WiFi. Navigation and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system were also included.

Though Sync 3 was being phased out for Sync 4, it remained competitive. However, the voice recognition performance was inconsistent during testing. The system tied into climate controls, allowing for hands-free adjustments but often misinterpreted voice commands.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline also featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. Most trims included SiriusXM, while navigation was available on higher trims. Though simplistic in design, the interface was user-friendly with analog controls for essential functions, making it tolerable despite dated graphics and lack of cutting-edge features.

The 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 package, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The blind-spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, and other visibility aids enhanced safety, though lane warnings were subtle.

Crash ratings from NHTSA awarded the Ranger four stars overall, with the IIHS giving it top marks except for an "Acceptable" front-passenger small-overlap score and a "Marginal" headlight rating.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top IIHS scores but "Average" on the passenger-side small overlap frontal test and "Marginal" for headlights and LATCH ease of use. NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating.

Standard Honda Sensing included automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added automatic high beams and blind-spot monitoring. However, the lack of a 360-degree camera system was noted.