2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a truck that stood out for its styling and the upscale Denali trim level, which was often compared to owning a Mercedes in the truck world. Even without opting for the Denali's chrome-heavy appearance, buyers could still configure other variants to reach similar high-end pricing. The Sierra AT4, priced at $78,938 Canadian, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a factory-installed suspension lift, off-road suspension, and unique design elements like red front recovery hooks. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a carbon fibre composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System. Despite its rugged capabilities, the Sierra's interior was dominated by black plastic, with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents, reflecting a more industrial design.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline embraced a more traditional truck appearance with a redesigned front end and new rear bumper. It featured aggressive tire treads and new wheel designs, enhancing its rugged look. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with pricing ranging from $44,355 to $53,355 Canadian. Every Ridgeline came equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine, standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean surfaces. The Ridgeline's design and features made it a comfortable and practical choice for midsize truck owners.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, which was considered a bargain at $1,995 Canadian. This engine produced 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm, providing significant power early in the rev range. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Sierra's powertrain was adept at selecting gears and maintaining torque. The truck's Auto 4WD mode allowed for seamless transitions between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, contributing to an average fuel economy of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The AT4's suspension handled rough terrain with ease, and the truck's off-road capabilities were further enhanced by its all-terrain tires. The Sierra could tow up to 4,173 kilograms and had a payload capacity of 962 kilograms.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivered 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with Intelligent Variable Torque Management. The Ridgeline's Intelligent Traction Management system offered Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, although it lacked a Rock setting, reflecting its focus on flat terrain. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms and a payload rating of 694 kilograms, the Ridgeline was competitive in its class. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to a smooth and athletic driving experience, making it enjoyable on paved roads. The Ridgeline demonstrated its capabilities on various terrains during testing, though it was not designed for extreme off-roading.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 provided ample seating comfort with large, supportive front seats and spacious rear seats. The test truck featured durable leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents. The Sierra's innovative six-position Multipro tailgate and CarbonPro Edition cargo bed enhanced its utility, offering between 1,781 and 2,523 litres of cargo space. However, interior storage was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups, with limited innovative storage solutions.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in comfort and functionality, offering a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat as standard. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and features like triple-zone automatic climate control and a power moonroof added to passenger comfort. The Ridgeline's interior was designed for utility, with a large centre storage console, various storage compartments, and a composite cargo bed with 960 litres of space. The dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk with a drain plug were standout features, enhancing the Ridgeline's practicality.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped with numerous camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. These features, part of the optional Technology Package, improved visibility and maneuverability. The Sierra's infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, with the test truck featuring the latter. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The available Bose premium sound system was adequate, though not as impressive as competitors' offerings.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It also included a seven-speaker sound system, text-messaging capability, and basic HondaLink connected services. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology offerings were straightforward, with a focus on essential connectivity and entertainment features.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered several safety features, though many were optional. Forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking were available, while blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on the Denali trim. Adaptive cruise control was optional on higher trims. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were mixed, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for certain tests.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. Built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, the Ridgeline earned high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, though its score in the small overlap front: passenger side crash test was lowered due to a redesign.