2022 RAM 1500 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 truck's new wheel designs in black and gunmetal, along with more aggressive tire treads, contributed to its enhanced look. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with prices ranging from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding a destination charge. Inside, the Ridgeline emphasized functionality, with ample storage and hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning. The interior was modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, offering a comfortable and practical space for drivers and passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 RAM 1500 was available in Quad Cab and Crew Cab styles, with a design that balanced contemporary aesthetics with vestiges of its "big rig" styling. The RAM 1500's design was clean and understated, with chrome elements that complemented the overall look. Inside, the RAM 1500 Limited trim exuded luxury, featuring Indigo and Sea Salt quilted leather upholstery, a suede headliner, and a 19-speaker premium sound system. The cabin was busy with mixed materials and patterns, yet it maintained a high level of quality and comfort. The RAM 1500's interior was spacious, with heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a reclining back seat, making it a comfortable choice for long drives.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivering 262 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management was standard, providing torque-vectoring capabilities and Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud settings. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Ridgeline offered a modest 194 mm of ground clearance and excelled on flat terrain. Its maximum towing capacity was 2,267 kg, with a payload rating of 694 kg. The Ridgeline's unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to its athletic and enjoyable driving experience, making it a capable choice for light off-road adventures.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered a range of engine options, including a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with eTorque, a 5.7-litre Hemi V8, and a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the TRX model. Our test truck featured the EcoDiesel engine, producing 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EcoDiesel's towing capacity reached up to 5,697 kg, with a payload capacity of 807 kg. The RAM 1500's coil-spring rear suspension and optional air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Despite its size, the RAM 1500 handled well on various road conditions, offering an SUV-like driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a comfortable and functional interior, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat, both heated. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and the truck featured triple-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and a sliding rear window. The Ridgeline's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with 960 litres of cargo space and a 207-litre in-bed trunk. The dual-action tailgate and various storage solutions made the Ridgeline a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2022 RAM 1500 Limited trim provided a luxurious and spacious interior, with heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and ample storage options. The centre console featured trays, bins, and cubbies, while the rear centre armrest included a covered tray and cupholders. The RAM 1500's multi-function tailgate supported up to 900 kg and offered easy access to the bed. Optional RamBox storage bins added further utility, although our test vehicle did not include them. The RAM 1500's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came 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 additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, providing essential connectivity and entertainment options.

The 2022 RAM 1500 introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster performance and a wider range of features. Lower trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 12-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and connected services. Our test truck had the 12-inch display, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a Ramcharger wireless charging dock. Despite some user experience challenges, Uconnect 5 represented an improvement over previous systems, offering a comprehensive suite of technology options.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Ridgeline also had a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. While the safety features were generally helpful, they were not fail-proof, as demonstrated during our test drive. The Ridgeline earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, although the redesigned front-end affected its small overlap front: passenger side crash test score.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered a range of driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims included additional features like automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and a surround-view camera system. Our test truck had rear parking sensors and a rear automatic braking system, although the latter proved problematic in certain situations. The RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, indicating strong safety performance.