2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Ford F-150

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, featuring a new front end with bolder details, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread tires. These changes gave it 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 (AWD) system. Prices ranged from $38,800 to $46,230, excluding a $1,345 destination charge. The Black Edition test vehicle, with extra-cost Platinum White Pearl paint and 18-inch black alloy wheels, had an MSRP of $49,866. Despite its higher price, the Ridgeline offered a refined and sophisticated driving experience, sharing many components with the Honda Passport crossover SUV.

The 2024 Ford F-150 was available in a multitude of configurations and trim levels, including eight different trims and options for regular two-door cab, SuperCrew four-door cab, or smaller four-door Super Cab. It offered three different bed lengths, choices of four-wheel or two-wheel drive (4WD or 2WD), and six different engine options. While the base XL model was basic, the King Ranch trim was luxurious with heated and ventilated front leather seats, heated rear seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting. Mid trims, however, had some cheap-looking surfaces. The 2024 model retained chunky buttons and knobs for easy use, even with gloves on, and featured a shifter that folded down for a flat workspace. The front fascia of higher trims like the Lariat and Platinum received minor tweaks, and new wheel options were available. The Tremor trim had more noticeable changes with orange accents and unique running boards. Ford also introduced a series of earth tones for the interior, dubbed "Truffle."

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform and components with the third-generation Acura MDX and Honda Pilot SUVs, as well as the Honda Odyssey minivan and Honda Passport SUV. It featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Ridgeline offered a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity but was limited to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity due to its unibody construction. It had 7.6 inches of ground clearance and lacked a traditional four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing. Despite these limitations, the Ridgeline excelled in on-road driving dynamics, offering a comfortable and refined driving experience. It averaged 22.6 mpg on a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, landing between its official EPA ratings of 21 mpg combined and 24 mpg highway. On a Southern California test-driving route, it averaged 21.4 mpg, beating the EPA rating for combined driving.

The 2024 Ford F-150 offered a standard turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, but the PowerBoost Hybrid was a standout with 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The Tremor variant came with a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, while the Raptor R featured a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with 720 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed well across all engine options. The Tremor trim included off-road-tuned shocks and springs, a 1-inch lift, and 33-inch tires, making it capable of handling off-road terrain with ease. The Raptor R, with its 3.1-inch Fox Live Valve shocks and variable rebound control, excelled in high-speed desert running. The F-150's towing and hauling capabilities were impressive, with a maximum towing capacity of 13,500 pounds and a payload rating of 2,445 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized function with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console between the front seats, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, similar to the Honda Passport SUV, offered easy entry and exit, comfortable seats, and a practical layout. The rear seat was not as roomy as the Passport's, but it provided an elevated seating position and rear air conditioning vents. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a sizable load floor, and Honda offered an accessory rear underseat storage system. The 64-inch cargo bed featured a dual-action tailgate and a flat, scratch-resistant composite floor with 33.9 cubic feet of volume. The Ridgeline also had a lockable, weatherproof, 7.3 cubic-foot trunk under the load floor, adding to its practicality.

The 2024 Ford F-150 introduced the Pro Access tailgate, which could flip down like a traditional gate or swing open with a 20/60/20 split for easier bed access. It featured a rear bumper step and new lockable bed storage boxes. The Pro Power Assist system 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 maximum towing capacity was 13,500 pounds with the EcoBoost V6 engine, and the payload was rated at 2,445 pounds. The hybrid engine had a maximum towing rating of 11,200 pounds and a payload of 1,755 pounds. The Raptor R, with its off-road suspension setup, could tow 8,700 pounds and haul 1,400 pounds.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's infotainment system was dated, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and basic HondaLink services. The RTL-E and Black Edition trims included a navigation system, premium sound system, cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. The system was slow to load, and the voice recognition was delayed. The touchscreen interface was simple but lacked modern design standards. The wireless smartphone charger worked intermittently, and the navigation display was cluttered.

The 2024 Ford F-150 featured a 12-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, a 5G LTE wireless hotspot, and wireless charging. It also had a 12-inch digital gauge cluster and an available head-up display. The Ford Stolen Vehicle Services feature could detect tampering and alert the owner through the FordPass app. The F-150 could back itself up to the trailer coupler automatically and had Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Hitch technology.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Ridgeline received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with top marks in all crash tests and a four-star rollover resistance rating.

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