2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline adopted a more rugged appearance to align with traditional truck expectations. Honda redesigned it forward of the windshield and added a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets. The tires featured a more aggressive tread, and new wheel designs in black, dark gray, and bronze added a sleek touch. The Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package introduced oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold stickers on the cargo bed, available in Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims, with prices starting from $36,490 to $43,920.

On the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, new for this lineup were the Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding the already premium Denali and AT4 trims. The updated grille, front fascia, and new split-C headlights made the Sierra appear wider and meaner. The new grille designs, especially on the Denali Ultimate with dark-colored "Vader bars" inserts, added a touch of luxury while maintaining toughness. Denali and Denali Ultimate trims sported new 22-inch wheels, with options for a carbon fiber composite bed and MultiPro tailgate. The Sierra also came in eight trims, including Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate, available with three new premium paint options.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a powerful, smooth, and refined 280-horsepower V6 engine, producing 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Honda's all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) was now standard, providing notable torque-vectoring capability. Although the Ridgeline's ground clearance of 7.64 inches restricted its off-roading abilities compared to top competitors, its torque-vectoring AWD and independent rear suspension made it remarkably athletic on flat terrains. The Ridgeline had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload rating of 1,583 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered more versatility with four engine options. The base 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, featuring a revised eight-speed automatic transmission. Enhanced by a more rigid cylinder block and a stiffer crankshaft, the base engine increased the tow rating to 9,600 pounds for 2WD models. The 3.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, increased its tow rating to a best-in-class 13,200 pounds. Other engine options included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, both coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

In off-road capabilities, the Sierra AT4X came with Multimatic DSSV dampers, unique springs providing extra suspension travel, and class-exclusive front and rear e-locking differentials. The Sierra showed remarkable ease even on steep precipices, equipped with underbody shields and optional rocker guards. Its three drive modes—Normal, Off-Road, and Terrain—enhanced its adaptability.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline prioritized functionality and comfort over heavy-duty performance. The interior offered manually-adjustable front seats with inboard armrests in the Sport trim, with the rear seat being the roomiest in the class. Premium trims included leather, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The composite cargo bed featured 33.9 cubic feet of space with minimal wheel well intrusion, making it practical for hauling building materials. The dual-action tailgate and 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk were standout features, adding convenience.

On the GMC Sierra 1500, interior space was a highlight with front headroom of about 43 inches across the lineup and rear headroom averaging 40 inches. Legroom for front-seat occupants was 44.5 inches, while double-cab and crew-cab variants offered 35.2 and 43.4 inches of rear legroom, respectively. However, the dash design confused some users because of its low centerline and an abundance of knobs and buttons. The short bed's cargo capacity was class-leading, and new ergonomic features like massaging seats added luxury, albeit with a complex control system.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a seven-speaker sound system. Additional features on higher trims included SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the Ridgeline wasn't brimming with tech features, offering a simpler and more analog experience.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, including a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. Three years of complimentary service were included for AT4 and Denali trims. The infotainment system was fast and responsive, allowing personalization and dual modes for tasks like navigation and trailering. Wireless device charging, a 15-inch multicolor head-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system were available options, further enhancing the tech experience.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. However, users noted occasional malfunctions in adaptive cruise control, highlighting the need for careful use. The Ridgeline also included a multi-angle reversing camera, blind-spot warning for higher trims, and standard automatic high-beam headlights. The truck adhered to Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crashworthiness standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 stood out with GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, available only on the Denali Ultimate trim. Super Cruise featured automatic lane changes and trailering capability. GMC Pro Safety included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra earned "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but was rated “Marginal” in the front-passenger small overlap test and “Poor” for headlights. 2WD models received a four-star crashworthiness rating from the NHTSA, with 4WD models yet to be rated.