2022 GMC Canyon vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was designed with a focus on traditional truck aesthetics, featuring a long, flat hood, an aggressive grille, and bulging fenders. Honda revamped the Ridgeline's front end and added a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets, giving it a more rugged appearance. The vehicle's tires had a more aggressive tread, and new wheel designs in black and gunmetal were introduced. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with pricing ranging from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding a destination charge.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Canyon offered a premium look, especially in the luxury-oriented Denali trim, which featured a unique chrome grille, 20-inch diamond-cut machined alloy wheels, and a Bose premium audio system. The rugged AT4 off-road version also boasted premium features like a black chrome grille and premium heated leather seats. The Canyon's material quality was above expectations for its class, with the Denali trim offering open-pore Ash wood trim and embossed floor mats. The Canyon's cabin was spacious, particularly in the crew cab form, and offered comfortable seating with power adjustments and heating options.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with Normal and Sport modes, powering all four wheels through Honda's standard all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management. The Ridgeline's Intelligent Traction Management provided Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, although it lacked a Rock setting, indicating its limitations in rock-crawling scenarios. 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 its athletic and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2022 GMC Canyon offered three powertrains: a 200-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder, a 308-horsepower 3.6-litre V6, and a 181-horsepower 2.8-litre Duramax turbodiesel engine with 369 lb-ft of torque. The V6 and turbodiesel engines had a maximum tow rating of 3,175 kilograms with the Trailering package. The Canyon's performance was enhanced by its eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the V6 engine, providing abundant power and smooth shifts. The AT4's off-road capabilities were supported by features like an Autotrac two-speed electronic transfer case, off-road suspension, and hill-descent control. The Canyon's ride and handling were stable, with the AT4's off-road tires providing a slightly higher ride height and wider stance.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in comfort and functionality, offering a spacious interior with a supportive 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a roomy rear seat. Standard features included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and heated outboard positions. The Ridgeline's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 158 kilograms each. The bed offered 960 litres of cargo space, and the dual-action tailgate and 207-litre in-bed trunk added to its utility.

The 2022 GMC Canyon provided a spacious cabin, especially in the crew cab form, with comfortable seating and power adjustments. The Canyon's cargo bed featured two-tier loading and 13 tie-down points, making it easy to secure gear. The integrated corner step rear bumper facilitated access to the bed. The Canyon's visibility was excellent, aided by a rearview camera and rear park assist.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward, with a focus on essential features.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's technology offerings varied by trim. The Elevation Standard trim included a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The AT4 added a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Denali trim included navigation and a high-definition rearview camera. The Canyon also offered a free trial of SiriusXM satellite radio and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Ridgeline's crashworthiness was supported by Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 GMC Canyon's safety features varied by trim, with the Driver Alert package available on higher trims. This package included forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rear parking assistance. The Canyon received four out of five stars for overall crash protection from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, although it received lower ratings for its headlights and front crash prevention.