2022 RAM 1500 vs 2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2022 RAM 1500 was a standout in the full-size truck category, available in both Quad Cab and Crew Cab styles. It featured a standard 6-foot, 4-inch cargo box, with the Crew Cab also offering a shorter 5-foot, 7-inch box. With seven trim levels ranging from the basic Tradesman to the high-performance TRX, the RAM catered to a diverse audience. The inclusion of numerous appearance packages, option packages, and special editions allowed for significant customization. Notable new features for 2022 included the Clean Air System, which filtered 95 percent of particulates from the truck’s interior air. Starting from the Big Horn trim, the RAM 1500 gained the next-gen Uconnect 5 infotainment system with either an 8.4-inch or a 12-inch touchscreen. The Trailer Hitch Light feature was also introduced, enhancing nighttime towing visibility. Additionally, several special editions were launched this year, further enriching the lineup. Our test vehicle, a Crew Cab Limited trim equipped with a turbodiesel engine, four-wheel drive (4WD), and an electronic locking rear axle with a 3.92 axle ratio, highlighted the truck’s opulence. It came with packages like the Limited Level 1 Group, Technology Group, Trailer Tow Group, and power-folding trailer mirrors, among others. The Limited 10th Anniversary Edition package introduced luxurious Indigo and Sea Salt leather upholstery, a suede headliner, ventilated rear seats, and a 19-speaker premium sound system. Overall, the RAM 1500 retained vestiges of its bold “big rig” styling but leaned towards a more contemporary and understated design compared to its rivals. The interior of the Limited trim exuded luxury, featuring exposed stitching, mixed materials, and various patterns and surfaces. The Indigo and Sea Salt color scheme and high construction quality further emphasized its premium nature. Conversely, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, built on a unibody platform similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot, had a conservative but practical design. The innovative engineering delivered increased rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame construction. The Ridgeline's snub nose betrayed its car-like origins, while the rear had classic pickup truck cues like vertical taillights, a big centered badge, and dual exhausts. The current generation Ridgeline, updated in 2021, sported a blockier, more upright grille, aligning more closely with conventional truck aesthetics. Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages added flair with fender flares, alloy wheels, and decals. Our Ridgeline Black Edition test vehicle featured Berlina Black paint and blacked-out trim for a sleeker look. Inside, the Ridgeline offered a straightforward design built for utility. The high-quality fit and finish, leather upholstery, and heated front seats provided a comfortable environment. However, the extensive use of piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches, presenting a minor drawback in an otherwise well-equipped cabin.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered an array of engines to suit various needs. The base 3.6-liter V6 featured a mild-hybrid system called eTorque to boost performance and fuel economy. A 5.7-liter V8, with or without eTorque, provided greater capability and traditional truck sounds. The exclusive supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the RAM TRX delivered high-performance thrills, drawing from the Hellcat engines of Dodge muscle cars. Our test truck came with the EcoDiesel engine, priced at $3,200 extra for our Limited trim, offering 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EcoDiesel engine's towing capacity was substantial, with figures reaching up to 12,560 pounds depending on truck configuration, while our Crew Cab Limited 4WD managed 9,600 pounds of towing capacity and a payload of 1,780 pounds. Its fuel economy was impressive, with EPA estimates of 24 mpg combined. Testing yielded 24.8 mpg, aided by the truck’s tonneau cover. The RAM’s ride quality derived from its coil-spring rear suspension and class-exclusive four-corner air suspension, offering a smooth and quiet drive with minimal noise from wind, road, or engine. The Honda Ridgeline employed a single powertrain, a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Its standard all-wheel-drive system and relatively modest towing capacity of 5,000 pounds were sufficient for smaller loads like boats or jet skis. Payload capacities varied by trim, with the RTL-E and Black Edition supporting up to 1,509 pounds. While the Ridgeline’s towing capacities were lower than competitors like the Ford Ranger (7,500 pounds) and diesel Chevy Colorado (7,700 pounds), it excelled in ride comfort and handling, more akin to a luxury car than a traditional truck. The fully independent suspension and torque vectoring AWD contributed to precise handling. Despite its advantages in ride quality, the Ridgeline’s off-road capabilities were limited. Its 7.64 inches of ground clearance were below expectations for serious off-roading, and it lacked the traction management systems of 4WD-focused pickups. It performed adequately on mild off-road trails but wasn't equipped for more strenuous paths.

Turning to functionality, the RAM 1500’s comfortable cabin featured power-deploying running boards (though their control location in the Uconnect 5 system was odd), extensive storage, and a multi-function tailgate supporting both traditional and side-opening functions. The RAM 1500 could be equipped with the RamBox storage bins for extra secure cargo space, though our test unit lacked this feature. In contrast, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline upheld a practical and thoughtful approach with its four-door crew cab and 64-inch bed configuration. The truck bed included a lockable in-bed trunk with a 7.3-cubic-foot capacity, a drain plug, and a spare tire slot for easier access. The Dual-Action Tailgate and in-bed audio system further amplified the Ridgeline's utility. Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage beneath the rear seats, USB ports for the rear passengers, and user-friendly controls. The pushbutton shifter allowed for more space in the front console, accommodating cupholders, a large storage bin, and a wireless phone charger. The RAM 1500 outshined the Ridgeline in cargo capabilities, with higher payload (up to 1,780 pounds) and towing capacities (up to 12,560 pounds). The Ridgeline, with its unibody design, was constrained to a 1,509-pound payload maximum and lower towing capacity, but it delivered a richer sense of interior spaciousness and practical storage solutions within its midsized frame.

Technologically, the RAM 1500 benefited from the new Uconnect 5 system present on Big Horn trims and above. Our test vehicle’s 12-inch screen offered an intuitive interface, quick response times, and features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, and comprehensive connected services. The Harman Kardon surround-sound system further enhanced the premium feel. Though the system had some quirks and complexities, it represented an improvement over previous iterations. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation. While the technology was less advanced than the RAM’s, the system was user-friendly, with analog controls complementing the touchscreen. The Ridgeline’s streamlined approach to infotainment was in stark contrast to the RAM’s high-tech offerings. However, both vehicles demonstrated distinct advantages in their implementations, catering to different user preferences.

The 2022 RAM 1500 covered safety comprehensively, with available driver-assist features across trims. Lower trims offered essentials like lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring, while higher trims included advanced features through packages like the Advanced Safety Group and Rebel Safety Group. These packages added systems such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. Our test truck's safety features included rear parking sensors and a rear automatic braking system, albeit with some misbehavior in certain scenarios. Despite minor issues, the RAM 1500 earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline also received commendable safety ratings, with top scores in most IIHS tests, except for an "Average" in the passenger-side small overlap test. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard on the Ridgeline was the Honda Sensing suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring, though a 360-degree camera system was notably absent.