2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was a testament to Honda's understanding of truck aesthetics. Redesigned from the windshield forward, it featured a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets, aggressive shoulder tread tires, and new wheel designs in black and gunmetal. The Ridgeline's styling was complemented by its trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition, with pricing ranging from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding a $1,870 destination charge. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning. The Sport trim, with its cloth seats, was the only one available in black, adding a touch of durability and style.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 exuded a larger, more aggressive presence with its updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design. The Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants expanded on the premium Denali and AT4 trims, offering a range of eight trim levels. The Sierra's grille designs varied across trims, with the Denali featuring a "tri-linear" theme and the Denali Ultimate showcasing dark-coloured "Vader bars." New 22-inch wheel designs and three premium paint options added to its appeal. The interior redesign made the cabin feel more spacious, with premium materials like full-grain leather and open-pore wood in the Denali Ultimate, and off-road-focused features in the AT4X.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. With standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the Ridgeline offered Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud settings. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension provided a smooth and athletic driving experience, though its towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms was modest compared to competitors. The Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain, with a maximum payload rating of 694 kilograms, and handled off-road conditions with ease during testing in California's Mojave Desert.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine's towing capacity reached up to 5,987 kilograms with the Max Trailering Package. The Sierra's V8 options included a 5.3-litre engine with 355 horsepower and a 6.2L Ecotec3 engine with 420 horsepower. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD provided a smooth and comfortable ride, while the AT4X impressed with its off-road capabilities, featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers and e-locking differentials. Testing in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park showcased the AT4X's prowess on challenging terrain.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a comfortable and functional interior, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat as standard in Canada. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and features like triple-zone automatic climate control and a power moonroof added to its appeal. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with a 960-litre capacity and a unique dual-action tailgate. The 207-litre in-bed trunk with a drain plug was a standout feature, enhancing the Ridgeline's utility.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 boasted best-in-class cargo capacity, even with its short bed. The interior was spacious, with front headroom of 1,093 mm and front legroom of 1,131 mm. Rear-seat passengers in the crew cab enjoyed 1,102 mm of legroom. The Sierra's cabin featured numerous storage compartments, though the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The driver-oriented cockpit had a low centreline, with screens and controls positioned lower than expected. The AT4X's off-road controls were split between the steering wheel and centre console, adding to the complexity.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included a seven-speaker sound system, text-messaging capability, and basic HondaLink connected services. Higher trims offered upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, with a focus on essential features.

In the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, larger display screens were available, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen on most trims. The infotainment system featured Google built-in, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a customizable interface. The Denali models had an interactive start-up screen, and the system allowed for dual-mode display. Higher trims offered wireless charging, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system, enhancing the Sierra's technological appeal.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. While these systems were generally helpful, they were not infallible, as demonstrated during a test drive. The Ridgeline also included a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. It met Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the redesigned front-end affected its small overlap front: passenger side crash test score.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system available on the Denali Ultimate. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra featured up to 14 camera views, a GCW Alert, and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. GMC Pro Safety included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS, but its headlights earned a "Poor" grade. NHTSA ratings were four out of five stars for 2WD models, with 4WD variants unrated.