2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was built on a unibody platform, similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport, which provided increased rigidity compared to the traditional body-on-frame construction of most pickup trucks. Despite its innovative engineering, the Ridgeline's styling remained conservative, with a snub nose hinting at its front-wheel-drive origins. The rear three-quarter view maintained a classic pickup look with vertical taillights, a centered badge, and dual exhausts. The 2021 redesign gave the Ridgeline a blockier, more upright grille, aligning it more closely with other trucks. The Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages added visual flair with fender flares, alloy wheels, and decals, while the Black Edition test vehicle featured a dark, cohesive exterior.

Inside, the Ridgeline's no-nonsense design felt appropriate for a truck, with high-quality fit and finish. The Black Edition test vehicle was well-equipped, featuring leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches, detracting from the otherwise practical and comfortable interior.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a revolution with its redesign. Available in trims ranging from the work-focused XL to the luxurious Limited, the Super Duty offered a variety of features. The XL trim included 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XLT added cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an integrated trailer brake controller. The Lariat introduced leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The King Ranch trim, which we tested, featured 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and less chrome than previous versions. The interior boasted two-tone brown leather, perforated seats with saddle leather and stitching, and the signature Flying W logo. Additional features included an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system, auxiliary switches for aftermarket add-ons, a spray-in bed liner, LED in-bed lighting, and fifth-wheel towing prep. The Platinum and Limited trims offered similar creature comforts with more cosmopolitan styling and nearly every package and option available.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ridgeline had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and payload capacities ranging from 1,509 to 1,583 pounds, depending on the trim. While these figures were modest compared to other midsize pickups, the Ridgeline's naturally aspirated V6 provided sufficient power for everyday driving. However, the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to respond, and the engine start-stop system was sluggish.

The Ridgeline excelled in handling and ride quality, thanks to its unibody platform, fully independent suspension, and torque vectoring AWD. It felt more like a luxury car than a traditional pickup truck, offering a comfortable ride and quiet cabin. However, its design limited off-road capability, with a maximum ground clearance of 7.64 inches and no dedicated off-road version.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines. The base 6.8-liter gas V8 produced 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, while the 7.3-liter V8 delivered 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 generated 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, with a high-output version producing 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) standard on the base XL trim and four-wheel drive (4WD) available.

The 10-speed transmission managed power beautifully, ensuring the diesel engine was always in the optimal powerband. The Super Duty's towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds when properly equipped, with features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales making towing easier. Despite its size, the Super Duty was manageable in traffic, with precise steering and good road negotiation.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was available only with a four-door crew cab and a 64-inch bed, offering a balance of passenger and cargo space. The bed included a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk, a slot for the spare tire, an in-bed audio system, and a 115-volt AC outlet. The Dual-Action Tailgate could open down or to the side, and the bed was wide enough to carry 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Inside, the Ridgeline offered additional storage under the rear seats, rear USB ports on higher trims, and a pushbutton shifter that made room for cupholders and a large center console storage bin.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was offered in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with either a 6.75-foot or 8-foot bed. The SuperCab featured rear-hinged clamshell doors, while the Super Crew provided a large cargo area with the rear seats folded up. Our test model included an optional Warn winch, a soft-opening tailgate, and bed steps for easy access. Inside, the F-250 offered numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, dual glove boxes, and ample door storage. The grip handles built into the A-pillars were helpful for getting in and out of the cab.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. SiriusXM satellite radio was available on all but the base Sport trim, while navigation was available on the RTL-E and Black Edition models. The interface was straightforward and easy to use, with analog controls for vital functions.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model featured a larger 12-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. The navigation system included Trailer Navigation, which optimized routes based on trailer weight and dimensions.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, but an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. The IIHS gave the Ridgeline a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech, but a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Average" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Ridgeline a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, with automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was standard on all but the base Sport trim.

Starting at the XLT trim, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came equipped with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. Our test model included dual-tier power-adjustable and power-telescoping trailer mirrors, a trailer blind-spot monitoring system, and a backup camera for when the tailgate is lowered. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS have crash-tested the Ford Super Duty.