2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth, prioritizing function over form with its massive scale. Whether in a base trim or the luxurious Denali, the Sierra 2500HD was always ready for serious work. The enormous grille fed multiple radiators for the hard-working engine and other sub-systems. The Denali stood out with its extensive use of chrome, including a large chrome grille and chrome wheels. Offered in premium exterior colors, the Onyx Black was particularly popular. Despite its flashy touches, the Denali was preferred over most versions of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or 2500 due to its more appealing design.

Trims for the Sierra 2500HD started with the Base, known as the “Sierra,” followed by the SLE, SLT, and the top-tier Denali. The base model came with a V8 engine and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLE added features like 17-inch aluminum wheels, two-tier trailering mirrors, and a 4.2-inch color driver-information screen. The SLT offered more upscale features, including 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and a power-release tailgate. The Denali boasted a full leather interior, wood-grain inserts, navigation, wireless device charging, and a Bose premium sound system. However, the Denali’s cabin was criticized for its lackluster fit-and-finish compared to competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline had a design that drew mixed reactions. Its front resembled a minivan, while the back looked like a pickup truck. This design choice led to a perception problem, as trucks were expected to look rugged and tough. The Ridgeline’s second-generation design swung too far from the original’s rugged look. For 2020, Honda made several updates, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission, standard Honda Sensing ADAS, and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The lineup was simplified to Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims, with the base price rising to $33,900 due to added standard equipment.

The Ridgeline’s interior was high-quality, with perforated leather upholstery, gloss-black trim, and soft-touch surfaces, especially in the RTL-E trim. However, the dashboard was nearly identical to the Honda Pilot, a vehicle known for its suburban appeal. The test truck, an RTL-E trim, came in at $43,140 MSRP, including destination charges. Despite its design quirks, the Ridgeline offered a comfortable and well-appointed interior compared to other midsize trucks.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two V8 engine options: a gas and a diesel. The gas V8 produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the Duramax diesel V8 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed Allison transmission, provided a lively feel and immense power, making it capable of towing up to 18,510 pounds and hauling a payload of up to 3,979 pounds. The gas engine used a 6-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the Sierra 2500HD had a poor turning radius, making it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. The truck averaged 16.5 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving.

The 2020 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, the engine provided smooth and effortless performance. The Ridgeline offered front-wheel drive in Sport and RTL trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims came standard with all-wheel drive, increasing ground clearance to 7.9 inches. The i-VTM4 system could transfer up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to the rear axle, enhancing traction and torque-vectoring. The Ridgeline’s independent rear suspension and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive made it enjoyable to drive on pavement, while its off-road capabilities were sufficient for most users. The Ridgeline achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, with a tested average of 20.9 mpg. The all-wheel-drive version could tow up to 5,000 pounds and haul a payload of up to 1,580 pounds.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs with standard or long beds. The Denali trim was offered only with the crew cab and a choice of bed lengths. Both bed sizes featured bed corner steps and steps ahead of the rear wheel well, accommodating larger work boots. The EZ lift-and-lower tailgate and the MultiPro tailgate, with its six configurations, provided easy access to the truck bed. Inside, the 2500HD offered ample room and numerous storage options, including a storage area below the rear seats in SLT-and-up trims.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline provided the comfort and utility of a Honda Pilot with a 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed. The front seats were comfortable, with adjustable armrests and heated front chairs in all trims except the Sport. The rear seat, while short on legroom, was comfortable and featured air conditioning vents. The Ridgeline excelled in in-cab storage, with numerous compartments and a weather-tight storage area behind the rear seat. The composite cargo bed included a 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a dual-action tailgate, a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet, and a truck-bed audio system.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC Infotainment 3, featuring customizable icons, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims upgraded to an 8-inch infotainment screen, with navigation available. The Denali also included an 8-inch color driver-information screen in the instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though modest compared to competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline featured Honda’s Display Audio system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen. The system lacked physical knobs and buttons, relying on voice-recognition technology that was often slow to respond. Steering wheel controls for volume and tuning were essential for ease of use. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker premium sound system with a truck-bed audio system. However, user experience issues persisted.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD included standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Driver Alert Package I added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The truck’s size and poor turning radius posed safety challenges, but the camera system and trailering mirrors helped mitigate these issues.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims added automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The lane-departure warning system wobbled the steering wheel, and the forward-collision warning system was overly sensitive. Despite these issues, the Ridgeline earned top crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of an "acceptable" score for the small overlap frontal impact test for the front passenger and a four-star rollover resistance rating.