2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning

When examining the aesthetics and overall appearance of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, it could be quite striking how much it resembled a typical F-150, despite being a groundbreaking electric vehicle. Sporting four distinct trim levels—Pro, XLT, Lariat, and Platinum—the Lightning came exclusively with a crew cab configuration and a 5.5-foot bed. Equipped with subtle exterior styling cues that set it apart from its gasoline-powered siblings, the Lightning was identified by unique features such as a full-width LED headlight bar and a grille-replacing plastic façade.

Inside, the Lightning maintained a balance between functionality and comfort. With up to 43.9 inches of front-seat legroom and a maximum of 43.6 inches in the rear, it provided more passenger space than most two-row SUVs. The materials used in the Lariat trim struck a blend between ruggedness and refinement, offering ergonomic excellence and practical touchpoints. Notable features included a panoramic sunroof and an intelligent power distribution system with numerous outlets spread across the frunk, cabin, and bed. The interior work surface feature, converting the center console into a workspace, was particularly appreciated for its practicality.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline received a rugged facelift a few years prior, incorporating a more aggressive front end and robust tire and wheel combos. Available in four trims—Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition—the Ridgeline housed a reliable V6 engine equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD. The Black Edition trim, specifically, exhibited a blend of sporty aesthetics with practical upgrades like 18-inch black alloy wheels.

The interior of the Ridgeline shared many similarities with the Honda Passport, making it feel more SUV-like. While its interior design dated back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, it still appeared modern and upscale. Quality was evident throughout, with leather-lined seats, an ergonomic layout, and excellent outward visibility. Though not as roomy in the rear as the Passport, the Ridgeline compensated with thoughtful storage solutions. The rear bench’s elevated seating position and ample rear air vents showcased a focus on passenger comfort.

Performance was a differentiating factor for both these trucks. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning offered two electric powertrain configurations: a standard-range battery providing 426 horsepower and an extended-range battery boosting output to 563 horsepower. Both versions delivered an impressive 775 lb-ft of torque, thanks to their dual electric motors. The Lightning’s all-wheel-drive system, underpinned by independent rear suspension, enhanced its road handling capabilities.

The base version’s 230-mile range might have seemed modest compared to its competitors, but the extended-range model’s 320 miles made it more practical for longer drives. The Lightning’s quick acceleration and smooth handling were notable, but its over-three-ton curb weight and off-road capabilities were somewhat compromised by its standard tires. Still, the truck’s fast-charging capacity, which enabled significant charge in under 45 minutes, was a notable advantage.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline leveraged a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its torque-vectoring AWD system could channel up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel, facilitating superior road handling. Despite being limited to a 5,000-pound towing capacity—diminished by its unibody construction—the Ridgeline excelled in driving dynamics. It felt more like an SUV, providing comfortable, quiet, and responsive performance on various road types.

During testing, the Ridgeline’s fuel economy averaged 22.6 mpg on long trips and outperformed its official EPA ratings during city driving. Its sophisticated ride quality, agile handling, and overall refinement made it a strong performer within its class, even though it lacked off-road prowess due to limited ground clearance and its engineering constraints.

Functionality was central to both vehicles, albeit in different ways. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning’s 5.5-foot bed came with multiple tie-down points, facilitating various cargo needs despite being unable to accommodate larger items like sofas. Highlighted by its “Mega Power Frunk,” the Lightning’s front trunk offered a generous 14.1 cubic feet of storage, complete with an underfloor bin that could double as a cooler.

The Lightning’s maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds were tempered by the impact of weight on driving range. However, onboard scales provided real-time payload data, helping manage range expectations based on load. Ford’s innovation extended to using the Lightning as a backup generator, capable of powering a typical household for up to three days during outages.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline emphasized practical daily driving features. The Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate and a 64-inch cargo bed with a minimum width of 50 inches at the wheel wells were designed for easy loading and sizable cargo capacity, though with a somewhat shallow volume of 33.9 cubic feet. The unique in-bed trunk added 7.3 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof space, ideal for various storage needs.

Interior-wise, the Ridgeline excelled with clever design touches like the flip-up rear seat that created additional cargo space, plentiful storage spots, and convenient features like heated seats and a configurable center console. While its payload and towing capacities didn’t match the Lightning’s, the Ridgeline’s user-friendly layout and versatile cargo options catered well to family and lifestyle needs.

Technology was a mixed bag for both vehicles. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 on the lower trims, while the higher trims featured a stunning 15-inch portrait-oriented display. These provided three years of navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Although visually impressive, the system’s organization could be less intuitive.

Standard infotainment on the Pro trim included an AM/FM radio, while higher trims upgraded to SiriusXM and a B&O sound system, with the Platinum trim offering a 15-speaker setup. Other notable tech features included a wireless charging pad and in-vehicle games that proved unexpectedly useful while waiting for the vehicle to charge.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline’s infotainment system felt dated. Despite standard wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its 8-inch touchscreen lagged in responsiveness and graphical sophistication. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims included navigation, premium sound, and wireless charging, though the latter functioned inconsistently.

The Ridgeline’s user interface, while straightforward, lacked modernity. It featured basic shortcut buttons and a volume knob but required multiple taps for tuning between radio stations. Its voice recognition was less polished, demanding attention-diverting steps to input commands, and the wireless charger’s reliability left room for improvement.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, which came packed with standard features as part of Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Additional options like a 360-degree surround-view camera, trailer assistance features, and Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving system were available on higher trims, enhancing its safety and convenience aspects on the road.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, while equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, did not match newer Hondas in smoothness or precision. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available only on the RTL trim and above. The Ridgeline’s safety systems, although effective, sometimes exhibited quirks, such as irritating steering wheel wobbles during lane departure warnings and less predictable adaptive cruise control behavior.

The Ridgeline received favorable crash-test scores from IIHS, with the headlights being the only area not rated Good or Acceptable. NHTSA also awarded the Ridgeline top marks in crash tests and a four-star rollover resistance rating, making it a safe choice for its segment.