2024 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Ford F-150

The 2024 Ford F-150 was available in a multitude of configurations and trim levels, offering buyers a choice of eight different trims and options for a regular two-door cab, a SuperCrew four-door cab, or a smaller four-door Super Cab. It featured three different bed lengths, options for four-wheel or two-wheel drive, and six different engine choices. While the base XL model was quite basic, the King Ranch trim offered luxury with heated and ventilated front leather seats, heated rear seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting. However, mid-level trims had some cheap-looking surfaces and hard plastic touchpoints. The F-150 retained its chunky buttons and knobs, making it user-friendly even with gloves on, and the shifter folded down to create a flat workspace. The exterior saw subtle changes, with higher trims like the Lariat and Platinum receiving minor tweaks, and the Tremor model featuring more noticeable changes with orange accents and unique running boards. Ford also introduced a series of earth tones for the interior, adding a touch of sophistication to certain models.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline, while not known for its striking looks, received styling updates that gave it more presence. The blunt nose, tall hood, and new tailgate lettering helped it blend in better with other trucks, and the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires added some attitude. The interior saw a new center console design with a wide center armrest covering a large storage bin, making it feel more like a proper pickup. Honda added a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel to the gauge cluster and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with numerous improvements. The Ridgeline was available in four versions: Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition, all featuring a standard 280-horsepower V6 engine and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $39,750 to $46,350, making it an affordable, family-friendly pickup. The TrailSport trim, with its Radiant Red paint and optional black tailgate lettering, had an MSRP of $46,990, including the destination charge.

The 2024 Ford F-150 offered a range of engine options, with the turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 as the standard engine. However, the PowerBoost Hybrid, available on the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, stood out with its 3.5-liter turbo V6 hybrid engine producing 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly, always in the right gear and eager to downshift when needed. The Tremor variant came with a 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, along with off-road enhancements like 33-inch tires, a 1-inch lift, and off-road-tuned shocks. The Raptor R took performance to the extreme with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine generating 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque, paired with 37-inch tires and advanced suspension technology for high-speed desert running.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline featured a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda’s intelligent Variable Torque Management AWD system. The Ridgeline’s towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and its maximum payload capacity was 1,583 pounds. Off-road capabilities were limited by shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a maximum ground clearance of just over 7.6 inches. However, the Ridgeline excelled on the road, offering a smooth powertrain, quick acceleration, and responsive handling. The TrailSport’s off-road suspension felt slightly firmer on pavement, and the all-terrain tires emitted a faint whir at speed. The automatic transmission had a minor issue with rolling when parked, requiring careful use of the parking brake. The Ridgeline TrailSport achieved an average fuel economy of 19.4 mpg during testing, slightly below the official EPA rating of 20 mpg.

The 2024 Ford F-150 continued to excel in traditional truck capabilities, introducing a new Pro Access tailgate with a 20/60/20 split swing gate for easier bed access. The tailgate could stop at various angles to avoid hitting the trailer jack, and the truck featured a rear bumper step and lockable bed storage boxes. The Pro Power Assist allowed gas-powered trucks to have a 2.0-kW onboard generator, while the PowerBoost hybrid could produce 2.4 kW of power for 85 hours on a full tank. The F-150’s maximum towing capacity was 13,500 pounds with the EcoBoost V6 engine, and the maximum payload was 2,445 pounds. The hybrid engine offered a towing rating of 11,200 pounds and a payload of 1,755 pounds, while the Raptor R could tow 8,700 pounds and haul 1,400 pounds.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and practicality over towing and off-roading capabilities. It offered easy entry and exit, with supportive cushions and ample leg support for five passengers. The TrailSport trim featured perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat had 10-way power adjustment, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed sufficient legroom and a triple-zone climate control system. The Ridgeline’s interior was equipped with numerous storage options, including shelves, trays, and bins. The rear seat cushion could be flipped up for additional cargo space, and the TrailSport’s rear window power slid open for ventilation. The cargo bed offered 33.9 cubic feet of space, with a weatherproof and locking trunk providing an additional 7.3 cubic feet.

The 2024 Ford F-150 came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen running SYNC 4, offering a quick learning curve and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included satellite radio, a 5G LTE wireless hotspot, and wireless charging. A 12-inch digital gauge cluster was also standard, with an available head-up display for towing, off-roading, or driving assistance information. Ford Stolen Vehicle Services provided theft detection and recovery capabilities. The F-150 featured Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Hitch technology for easier towing, along with an Onboard Scale for payload weight display.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a volume knob, tuning buttons, and steering wheel controls. The system was updated with a faster processor and improved navigation graphics. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Ridgeline Sport benefited from these upgrades, while higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and an eight-speaker premium sound system. The instrumentation included a 7-inch digital display, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2024 Ford F-150 was equipped with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of advanced driver aids, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a 360-degree camera and the Blue Cruise driving-assist system with lane-change assist and lane-repositioning. The F-150 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top scores in crashworthiness from the IIHS, although it received lower ratings for rear-seat passenger safety and seatbelt reminders.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Sport came standard with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, along with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems. The ADAS included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Ridgeline received an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap frontal-impact test and a Marginal rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Ridgeline five-star ratings across the board, except for rollover resistance, where it received a four-star rating.