2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a standout for its styling and the upscale Denali trim level. In truck circles, owning a “Denali” was akin to having a Mercedes. Even if you didn’t opt for the Denali’s chrome bling, other variants could be optioned into the same boast-worthy pricing territory. The Sierra AT4, priced at $66,695 MSRP, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension with Rancho monotube shocks, skid plates, and unique design details like red front recovery hooks and body-color trim. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a CarbonPro carbon fiber composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System for its six-position configurable tailgate. Inside, the truck was a sea of black plastic with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents, reflecting standard-issue Sierra quality with an industrial-themed design.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with trim levels including XL, XLT, and Lariat. Every Ranger had the same turbo four-cylinder engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD or 4WD. Our test truck, a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, was priced at $46,865. The Tremor package added unique 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road hoop-style side steps. Inside, the Lariat trim combined with the Tremor’s simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches made it the best-equipped Ranger. The cabin featured a clean and contemporary design with simple radio and climate controls, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and switchgear that wouldn’t be out of place in a Lincoln.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered an affordable Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine for $995, delivering 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. This engine provided the same amount of torque as the Sierra’s 6.2-liter V8 but at a much lower rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax was adept at choosing gears and maintaining its generous torque band. The automatic 4WD system was easy to use, and in Auto 4WD mode, the Sierra maintained impressive traction in various weather conditions, averaging 21.1 mpg. The AT4’s suspension handled tough terrain confidently and was preferable to the standard suspension in other GM pickups. The Sierra could tow up to 9,300 pounds and had a payload capacity of 2,150 pounds, with our test truck mustering 8,800 pounds of towing capacity and a payload rating of 1,810 pounds.

The 2021 Ford Ranger featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 270 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. The Ranger’s 4WD system included a rotary dial for switching between 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo, and the Tremor package added a Terrain Management System with various settings and Trail Control for low-speed off-road driving. The Tremor’s off-road suspension, with revised springs and Fox shocks, provided 9.7 inches of ground clearance and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up to 1,860 pounds of payload, with the Tremor’s payload capacity reduced to 1,430 pounds. The EPA fuel economy rating for the Tremor was 19 mpg in combined driving, and we averaged 18.5 mpg. The Ranger’s suspension tuning was comfortable on paved roads, and its handling was on par with other off-road-oriented midsize trucks.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered large, supportive front seats with power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats were spacious and heated, with rear air conditioning vents and a power sliding rear window. High-clearance side rails and the innovative six-position Multipro tailgate made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, saving 60 pounds of curb weight and improving durability. The Sierra’s bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs. However, the cab’s storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor featured sturdy hoop-style step bars, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, both heated. The rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, but the Ranger lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. Storage bins under the rear-seat cushion were inconveniently designed as a single piece. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) with four tie-down hooks. Ford offered a long list of accessories to enhance the Ranger’s utility.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 came with numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra’s infotainment system featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display, with the 8-inch version offering large volume and tuning knobs, physical menu shortcut buttons, and excellent voice recognition technology. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system were standard. The Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors’ audio systems.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor was equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out in favor of Sync 4, it remained competitive in the midsize truck segment. However, the voice recognition technology was hit-or-miss during testing, sometimes providing incorrect responses to commands. The climate system was integrated with Sync 3, allowing temperature adjustments via voice commands.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking, even on the most basic version. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on the Denali and optional on other trims. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat were available, along with adaptive cruise control. The Sierra’s crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front-passenger protection and LATCH anchor accessibility. The Sierra’s headlights received a "Poor" rating.

The 2021 Ford Ranger came with the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard on the Lariat trim. The Ranger also offered rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and a wiper de-icer system. The NHTSA gave the Ranger an overall rating of four stars, with a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS awarded the Ranger top scores, except for an "Acceptable" rating for front-passenger protection and a "Marginal" rating for its headlights.