2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Ford Ranger

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, which included a new front end with bolder details, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread design. These changes gave the Ridgeline a more rugged appearance, although the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages with oversized fender flares were best avoided. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, all equipped with a V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Prices ranged from $38,800 to $46,230, excluding a destination charge of $1,345. The Black Edition test vehicle, with additional features, had an MSRP of $49,866. Despite its higher price, the Ridgeline offered refinement and sophistication, sharing many components with the Honda Passport crossover SUV. Its interior, though dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, was leather-lined, exuded quality, and provided comfort and modernity.

The 2024 Ford Ranger adopted a design reminiscent of a smaller F-150, featuring C-shaped daytime running lights and double chrome bars intersecting the headlights and grille. The XLT model with the Chrome Appearance Package included matching C surrounds for the fog lights. While the Ranger was handsome, it wasn't as burly as competitors like the Colorado or Canyon. The Ranger Raptor, with its 33-inch all-terrain tires, didn't appear as menacing as the Bronco Raptor or F-150 Raptor. The Ranger was available only as a crew cab with a five-foot bed, eliminating the extended cab option. The Azure Gray Metallic paint on the XLT model complemented the chrome accents. The FX4 Off-Road Package added fixed side steps, which could be damaged off-road, and slightly reduced ground clearance. The Ranger's interior had improved but still featured brittle plastic and uneven gaps. The drive-mode selector felt flimsy, and the dash design was a mix of painted silver and textured gray plastic. Despite these issues, the Ranger's interior was more spacious, especially in the rear seat, compared to previous models.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform with the third-generation Acura MDX and Honda Pilot SUVs, as well as the Honda Odyssey minivan and Passport SUV. It featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Ridgeline offered a payload capacity of 1,583 pounds and a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, limited by its unibody construction. It excelled in driving dynamics on pavement, providing a comfortable and nimble ride. The Ridgeline averaged 22.6 mpg on a road trip, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined and 24 mpg on the highway. Its unibody construction and independent suspension contributed to exceptional ride and handling qualities, though the steering felt slightly heavy at lower speeds.

The 2024 Ford Ranger offered three engine choices. The standard 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine produced 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. An optional 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivered 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, suitable for towing up to 7,500 pounds. The Ranger Raptor featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine with 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, with an available software remap boosting it to 455 horsepower and 536 lb-ft. The Raptor's race-ready suspension and off-road features made it ideal for off-road adventures. The Ranger's fuel economy was decent, with the base four-cylinder achieving 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The Raptor's fuel economy was lower, with ratings of 16/18/17 mpg.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized function 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 similarities with the Honda Passport SUV, offering comfortable seats and a practical layout. The rear seat was less roomy than the Passport but provided an elevated seating position and rear air conditioning vents. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a load floor, and the dashboard had a slot for smartphones and a wireless charging pad. The Ridgeline's 64-inch cargo bed featured a dual-action tailgate and a flat, scratch-resistant composite floor. It offered 33.9 cubic feet of volume and standard tie-down cleats. The Ridgeline also had a lockable, weatherproof 7.3 cubic-foot trunk with a drain plug, ideal for carrying various items.

The 2024 Ford Ranger had a longer wheelbase and a wider body, with improved ground clearance and approach angle. The rear seat offered more room, and the seatbacks folded flat for additional cargo space. The Ranger's visibility was excellent, and it featured physical climate controls and a volume knob. The bed had side bumper cutouts for easy access and a damped tailgate. It offered up to 43.5 cubic feet of cargo space and an optional 400-watt AC outlet. Ford's Zone Lighting illuminated the truck's exterior for extended periods.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's infotainment system was dated, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Most trims included satellite radio, but only the RTL-E and Black Edition had a navigation system, premium sound system, cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system was slow to load, and the voice recognition system had delayed responses. The 8-inch touchscreen was smaller than expected, and the graphics were outdated. The user interface was simple, with touch-sensing shortcut buttons and a stereo volume knob. However, tuning between radio stations required tapping on the screen, and the navigation display was cluttered. The wireless smartphone charger worked inconsistently, and the Ridgeline needed a technology overhaul.

The 2024 Ford Ranger's Lariat trim featured a short gear selector and push-button engine start, integrating with automatic parking and trailer reversing systems. It had a 12.4-inch instrument panel with crisp animations and unique gauges. The XLT trim had an 8-inch panel, while the XL had a 10-inch portrait touchscreen, and other trims had a 12-inch screen. The infotainment system mimicked the Mustang Mach-E's layout, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto resized to fit the display. The menus were slow to load, and BlueCruise handsfree driving assist was unavailable. The Lariat and Raptor trims included a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo and 360-degree cameras.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had aging driver-assistance systems, with the standard Honda Sensing suite lacking blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. These features were available on the RTL trim and above. Honda Sensing included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. 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 2024 Ford Ranger had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. The base XL trim lacked driver assists, but the XLT and above trims included forward and reverse emergency braking, auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, front cross-traffic braking, and evasive steering assist. Adaptive cruise control was optional on the XLT and standard on Lariat and Raptor trims.