2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

A couple of years ago, Honda updated the Ridgeline’s styling, adding a new front end with bolder details, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread tires. These changes resulted in a more rugged appearance, but the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages with oversized fender flares were best avoided. The 2023 Ridgeline came in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, all equipped with a V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Prices ranged from $38,800 to $46,230, excluding a $1,345 destination charge. The Black Edition test vehicle, with extra-cost Platinum White Pearl paint and accessory 18-inch black alloy wheels, had an MSRP of $49,866, including destination charges.

The Ridgeline shared many components with the Honda Passport SUV, resulting in a refined and sophisticated driving experience. The interior, dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, still looked modern and upscale. The Black Edition’s leather-lined interior exuded quality, offered plenty of storage, and provided terrific outward visibility. The layout was sensible, with properly marked switchgear, and the cabin was comfortable for all occupants. Despite its age, the Ridgeline’s interior remained more advanced than several of its rivals.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a revolution. Trims included XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The XL was a work truck with basic comforts, while the XLT added more features like cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Lariat introduced modern comforts such as leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a larger 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The King Ranch, a luxury truck, 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, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium stereo system. The Platinum trim offered similar features with more cosmopolitan styling, while the range-topping Limited trim included nearly every package and option available.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform and components with the third-generation Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, and Honda Passport. The Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. This setup provided sophisticated driving dynamics on pavement, with a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity and a 5,000-pound towing capacity. However, its unibody construction limited its off-roading capabilities, with only 7.6 inches of ground clearance and a lack of low-range gearing. Despite these limitations, the Ridgeline excelled in city and highway driving, averaging 22.6 mpg on a road trip and 21.4 mpg on a test-driving route.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered multiple engine options, including a 6.8-liter gas V8 with 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque, a 7.3-liter V8 with 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 with 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. The high-output version of the diesel engine produced 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. Power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive on the base XL trim and standard four-wheel drive on other trims. The Super Duty’s towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds with the turbodiesel engine. The 10-speed transmission ensured optimal power delivery, making the truck lively from a standstill and capable of reaching highway speeds with ease. However, its large size made maneuvering in tight spaces challenging.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized function, with shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, similar to the Honda Passport, offered easy entry and exit, comfortable seats, and a practical layout. The rear seat was less roomy than the Passport’s, but it featured a high seating position, padded front seatbacks, and rear air conditioning vents. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a sizable load floor, and Honda offered an accessory rear underseat storage system. The 64-inch cargo bed had a dual-action tailgate, a flat floor, and a 7.3 cubic-foot lockable, weatherproof trunk with a drain plug.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available 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 offered a full four-door setup. Our test model had an optional Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate with bed steps. Inside, the F-250 had numerous cupholders, a massive center storage bin, dual glove boxes, and ample door storage. The rear seats in the Super Crew folded up to create a large cargo area protected from the elements.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline’s infotainment system, dating back to the mid-2010s, included an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, basic HondaLink services, and satellite radio on most trims. The RTL-E and Black Edition added a navigation system, premium sound system, cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. The system was slow to load, and the voice recognition system had delayed responses. The user interface was simple, but the lack of a tuning knob and cluttered navigation display were drawbacks. The wireless smartphone charger worked intermittently, making it unreliable.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty’s base infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model had a larger 12-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a logical control layout, and redundant dials for radio and climate controls. The F-250 also offered 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 2023 Honda Ridgeline’s standard Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the RTL trim and higher. The adaptive cruise control system struggled to maintain a safe following distance, and the lane-departure warning system’s steering wheel wobble was irritating. The Ridgeline received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and top marks from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty’s Ford CoPilot 360 suite included 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, depending on the trim. Our test model had dual-tier power-adjustable and power-telescoping trailer mirrors, a trailer blind-spot monitoring system, and a backup camera for when the tailgate was lowered. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the Ford Super Duty.