2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, boasted a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. Its interior, while functional, fell short in material quality compared to competitors like the Ram 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. The Sierra HD's cabin, though not cramped, wasn't as spacious as its rivals.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, updated a couple of years ago, featured a more rugged appearance with a new front end, larger dual exhaust outlets, and aggressive tread tires. However, the optional HPD packages with oversized fender flares were less appealing. Inside, the Ridgeline shared much with the Honda Passport SUV, offering a quality, comfortable, and modern interior, though it dated back to the 2016 Honda Pilot.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, with its 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, had a maximum payload capacity of 3,597 pounds and could tow up to 18,500 pounds. Despite these impressive figures, it lagged behind competitors like the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500 in towing capacity. The Sierra's 6.6-liter V8 engines, both gas and turbodiesel, were strong performers, especially when paired with the Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The AT4 trim, equipped with off-road features, handled off-road courses with ease but had a jittery ride on uneven pavement.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, offered a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity but was limited to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity due to its unibody construction. The Ridgeline excelled in driving dynamics on pavement, providing a comfortable and refined ride. It averaged 22.6 mpg on a road trip and 21.4 mpg on a test-driving route, making it one of the most fuel-efficient midsize pickups with a gas-powered V6 engine.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, available in three cab configurations and two pickup bed lengths, could seat up to six passengers. It offered abundant passenger space and several convenience features, including a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet. The MultiPro tailgate, standard on SLE and above, provided six distinct functions for improved loading and unloading.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized daily-driving practicality with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, shared with the Honda Passport, was comfortable and easy to access. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a sizable load floor, and the cargo bed, with a dual-action tailgate and standard tie-down cleats, was highly functional. The Ridgeline's unique unibody platform allowed for a lockable, weatherproof, 7.3 cubic-foot trunk under the load floor.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, and a navigation system was available on SLT and AT4 trims. The Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, and the Sierra's 15 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view, made towing easier.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, with its mid-2010s engineering, had an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RTL-E and Black Edition included a navigation system, premium sound system, cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was simple but slow to load, and the voice recognition system had a delayed response. The wireless smartphone charger worked intermittently, and the technology overall needed an update.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. Standard items included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, and a Teen Driver system. Due to its high GVWR, it was not rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on RTL trim and above. The Ridgeline earned favorable crash-test ratings from IIHS and top marks from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.