2021 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The second-generation GMC Canyon had been around for a while, first arriving as a 2015 model after a two-year hiatus. The most notable changes to the 2021 Canyon included an enlarged grille and a revised front bumper, aligning it aesthetically with its full-size sibling, the GMC Sierra. Despite these updates, the Canyon largely remained the same truck, which could have been an issue in the full-size truck market but was less so in the midsize segment. The cabin maintained a functional layout with sensible controls, though it featured plenty of hard plastics and mediocre fit-and-finish. The trims ranged from the base Elevation Standard to the luxurious Denali, with the AT4 offering off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a redesign forward of the windshield and front doors, along with a new rear bumper featuring exposed dual exhaust outlets. The tires had a more aggressive shoulder tread, and new wheel designs debuted in black, dark gray, and bronze. The HPD Package added oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold stickers on the cargo bed. The Ridgeline came in Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims, with prices ranging from $36,490 to $43,920. Every Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine, standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 3.6-liter V6, making 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, was optional on the Elevation trims and standard on the AT4 and Denali, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbodiesel engine was available, delivering 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Canyon's base engine struggled to move the truck efficiently, making the V6 a better option, though it required aggressive throttle input for lively performance. The Duramax offered substantial torque but was limited by its six-speed transmission. The AT4 trim, equipped with the gas V6 and 4WD, performed confidently off-road and maintained good on-road manners. The Canyon could tow up to 7,700 pounds with the turbodiesel engine and had a payload capacity of 1,605 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a single powertrain option: a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Honda's all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) was standard, capable of directing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management (ITM) provided Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, though the Ridgeline was not designed for rock-crawling. With 7.64 inches of ground clearance, the Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain. It offered quick acceleration and athletic handling, thanks to its unibody architecture, independent rear suspension, and pavement-friendly tires. The Ridgeline's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, with a competitive payload rating of 1,583 pounds. During testing, the Ridgeline handled various off-road conditions with ease, though it was best suited for controlled environments.

The 2021 GMC Canyon was available in Extended Cab and Crew Cab variants. The Extended Cab featured rear-hinged half-doors and small, second-row jump seats, suitable for children or large gym bags. The Crew Cab, with four full doors, offered more usable rear-seat space. The Canyon provided a commanding driving position, though seat adjustment was awkward. Storage included a center console, center stack, and small door trays. The Canyon offered two bed sizes: a short (5-foot-2) box and a long (6-foot-2) box. The Extended Cab came with a long box, while the Crew Cab offered both options. The Canyon featured GM's CornerStep rear bumper for easy bed access and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with remote power locking.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in comfort and functionality. The Sport trim offered manually-adjustable front seats with inboard armrests and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. The rear seat was the roomiest in the class, complemented by standard triple-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The Ridgeline's utility was highlighted by a large center storage console, various storage bins, and shelves throughout the cabin. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. Higher trims featured a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet and an in-bed audio system. The bed held 33.9 cubic feet of cargo, with minimal wheel well intrusion. The dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk added to the Ridgeline's practicality.

The 2021 GMC Canyon came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and an easy-to-use menu layout, with hard buttons and dials for convenience. A larger 8-inch screen was optional on the Elevation and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali, which also included navigation, HD radio, and a wireless charging pad. The Denali featured a 4.2-inch color driver display in the instrument panel, operated via a directional pad on the steering wheel.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system also featured a seven-speaker sound system, text-messaging capability, basic HondaLink connected services, and USB charging ports. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, traffic information, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport trim test truck lacked these upgrades but still offered seamless music streaming and navigation through Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 GMC Canyon included standard safety features such as a rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system, front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, and the Teen Driver system. The Driver Alert package, available on higher trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rear parking alert. The Denali trim featured an upgraded HD backup camera and Hitch Guidance for easier towing.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera, with blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on all but the Sport trim. Top trims included automatic high-beam headlights. The Ridgeline was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crashworthiness standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.