2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a truck that stood out for its styling and the upscale Denali trim level. In truck circles, owning a “Denali” was akin to having a Mercedes. Even if you didn’t opt for the Denali’s chrome bling, other variants could be optioned into the same boast-worthy pricing territory. The Sierra AT4, priced at $66,695 MSRP, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension with Rancho monotube shocks, skid plates, and a two-speed Autotrac transfer case. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a CarbonPro carbon fiber composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System for its six-position configurable tailgate. The truck’s aggressive mud-terrain tires and unique design details like red front recovery hooks and body-color trim broadcasted its off-roading intent.

Inside, the Sierra AT4’s cabin was a sea of black plastic with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents. Rubber floor mats with snap-in carpeted inserts provided grip and protection. However, the interior reflected a standard-issue Sierra quality with an industrial-themed design. Despite its high price, the truck’s interior materials didn’t impart a sense of luxury, making it feel less premium than expected.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, underwent a redesign forward of the windshield and front doors, 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 trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,490 to $43,920, excluding a $1,175 destination charge.

The Ridgeline’s interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and hard plastic surfaces for easy cleanup. The Sport trim featured cloth seats in black with a subtle pattern, while higher trims offered leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each, and the highest trims included a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet and an in-bed audio system. The dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk added to the Ridgeline’s utility.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered an affordable Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine for $995, delivering 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque starting at just 1,500 rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax provided maximum thrust after a momentary delay as the turbocharger spooled up. The automatic four-wheel-drive system was easy to use, and the truck averaged 21.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA’s rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The AT4’s suspension handled tough terrain confidently and provided a comfortable ride on highways. The Sierra’s towing capacity reached up to 9,300 pounds, with a payload rating of 2,150 pounds.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The standard all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) could direct up to 70% of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management (ITM) offered Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, but the Ridgeline wasn’t designed for rock-crawling. With 7.64 inches of ground clearance, the Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,583 pounds. The Ridgeline’s unibody architecture and independent rear suspension made it remarkably athletic and enjoyable to drive compared to other midsize pickups.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500’s front seats were large, wide, and supportive, with power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were spacious, with heated cushions and rear air conditioning vents. The CarbonPro Edition option package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, saving 60 pounds of curb weight and improving dent, scratch, and corrosion resistance. The bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs rated at 500 pounds each. However, the Sierra’s cab storage was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline’s 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, with standard triple-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. The dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk added to the Ridgeline’s utility. The bed held 33.9 cubic feet of cargo, with minimal wheel well intrusion.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 came with numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. The Sierra AT4’s Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors’ audio systems.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, traffic information, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport trim included Apple CarPlay, making it easy to stream music and find destinations.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on the Denali and optional on other trims. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat were available. Adaptive cruise control was an option for the SLT, AT4, and Denali. The Sierra earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front passenger protection and LATCH anchor accessibility.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, 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. The top trims included automatic high-beam headlights. The Ridgeline earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.