2020 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

When the 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrived for evaluation, it was clear that its design was a point of contention. My 12-year-old daughter remarked that it looked like a minivan in the front and a pickup truck in the back, highlighting a potential design and image problem for Honda. Trucks are traditionally expected to look rugged and tough, but the Ridgeline's second-generation design seemed to swing too far towards a more suburban aesthetic. Despite this, Honda made several updates for the 2020 model year, 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 the added standard equipment.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty took the blocky and muscular looks of the F-150 to the next level, embodying the essence of a heavy-duty truck. Its larger dimensions, giant grilles, heavy-duty bumpers, and robust bodywork were not just for show but also for enhanced functionality. The Super Duty's cabin varied from utilitarian in the base XL trim to luxurious in higher trims like the Limited, which featured leather and upscale finishes. The truck's tall ride height and long bed lengths improved cargo hauling and ground clearance, making it well-suited for tough terrains and job sites.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. This engine was paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, which had undergone continuous improvements to enhance shift quality. The Ridgeline featured electronic transmission controls and paddle shifters, though the latter were rarely used outside of towing scenarios. Front-wheel drive was standard on Sport and RTL trims, while the Intelligent Variable Torque Management all-wheel drive (i-VTM4) was optional for these trims and standard on RTL-E and Black Edition models. The i-VTM4 system could transfer up to 70% of the engine's power to the rear axle and 100% to a single rear wheel for added traction. The Ridgeline also offered Eco, Normal, and Sport drivetrain modes, as well as Snow, Mud, and Sand driving modes. The all-wheel-drive model had a ground clearance of 7.9 inches and a combined fuel economy rating of 21 mpg, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,580 pounds.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered three powertrains: a 6.2-liter V8 with 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, a 7.3-liter V8 with 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine with 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available as an upgrade. The F-350 model could be ordered with a dual-rear-wheel configuration for better towing capacity, which could reach over 36,000 pounds with a gooseneck setup. The Super Duty Tremor models featured factory lift kits and beefy tires for enhanced off-road capabilities. However, the EPA did not provide fuel economy ratings for heavy-duty trucks like the Super Duty.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline offered the comfort and utility of a Honda Pilot with an open 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed instead of a third-row seat. The front seats were comfortable and featured adjustable armrests, with heated front chairs standard on all trims except the Sport. The rear seat, while short on legroom, was comfortable and featured air conditioning vents. The Ridgeline's climate system effectively managed temperature changes, though solar heating through the front door glass could be an issue. In-cab storage was generous, with weather-tight, locked storage available by flipping up the rear seat cushion. The composite cargo bed included a 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a tailgate that could drop or swing to the side, a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet, and a truck-bed audio system.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, despite its focus on utility, offered plenty of creature comforts. The front seats came in a 40/20/40 folding bench setup, providing a comfortable armrest with cupholders. Crew Cab and Super Cab models featured generous rear seats with easy access through large doors. However, the truck's size made parking, maneuvering, and visibility challenging, and the tall ride height and large doors could make entering and exiting difficult. The Super Duty's tailgate could be optioned with steps and a handle for easier bed access, though it was not as elaborate as those on Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline came with Honda's Display Audio system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen display. The system lacked physical knobs and buttons, and its voice-recognition technology required specific prompts and was often slow to respond. Steering wheel controls for stereo volume and tuning were available, but other functions required patience. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker premium sound system available on RTL-E and Black Edition trims.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, known for its easy-to-navigate menus. The base XL trim had a non-touch display, while higher trims offered a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The trucks could be equipped with a variety of tech options, including a WiFi hotspot, upgraded heated and ventilated seats, adjustable upfitter switches, and a rapid heating unit for diesel-equipped models.

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. 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 received top crash-test ratings from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered various safety features as optional upgrades, including a trailer tow package with special camera views and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision alerts. However, as a commercial vehicle, the Super Duty was not crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.