2021 Nissan Titan vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from the previous year, offering three Crew Cab trim levels in Canada: SV, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve, each with distinct design elements. The Titan SV featured a dark grille, while the Platinum Reserve boasted a satin chrome one, and the Pro-4X had a black grille with a unique lava-red script logo. The Pro-4X also included lava-red tow hooks, adding character. The Titan's new headlights provided 120% more light output than the 2019 model, with optional LED fog lights enhancing visibility by 15%. The truck bed featured four LED light sources, a significant improvement over older models. The rear showcased LED taillights and unique tailgate finishers, with the Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve having black and satin chrome finishers, respectively. The Titan's interior received a modern upgrade with a large infotainment screen and piano-black plastic trim, though the steering wheel design felt dated.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a redesign, focusing on a more traditional truck appearance with a long, flat hood, aggressive grille, and bulging fenders. The front and rear received updates, including a new bumper with dual exhaust outlets and more aggressive tire treads. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with prices ranging from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding destination charges. It featured 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 hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning. The Ridgeline's design and features made it a comfortable and practical choice for midsize truck owners.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 5.6-litre V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, making it the best-in-class standard powertrain. It required premium fuel to achieve these figures. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth shifts but struggling in mid-range gears. The Titan's acceleration was strong, and it featured a four-wheel drive system in Canada, with no rear-wheel drive option. Fuel efficiency was rated at 15.2 L/100 km in the city, 11.1 on the highway, and 13.4 combined, with slightly higher figures for the Pro-4X grade. The Titan's steering was traditional, with a full-size truck feel, and its ride quality was average for the class. It had a payload capacity of up to 739 kg and a towing capacity of 4,178 kg, with standard trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller. The Pro-4X model included off-road features like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management was standard, offering torque-vectoring capabilities. Intelligent Traction Management provided Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, but the Ridgeline was not designed for rock-crawling. With 194 mm of ground clearance, it excelled on flat terrain. The Ridgeline's unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to its athletic and enjoyable driving experience. It had a towing capacity of 2,267 kg and a payload rating of 694 kg. The Ridgeline's capabilities were demonstrated at Honda's proving grounds, handling various off-road conditions with ease, though it was not intended for extreme off-roading.

The 2021 Nissan Titan offered a front bench seat as standard, with optional bucket seats, accommodating five or six passengers. The Zero Gravity design of the front and rear outboard seats provided comfort for long journeys. Heated and cooled front seats were available, along with heated rear seats. However, petite adults might struggle to find a comfortable driving position. The Titan provided ample seating space and storage, with a large centre console and smartphone holders. A panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window were available, enhancing the cabin experience. The Titan's interior featured thoughtful design elements like easy-to-reach grab handles and folding rear seatbacks.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and functionality, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat as standard, both heated. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and triple-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and a sliding rear window were standard. The Ridgeline's interior offered abundant storage, with a large centre console, door panel shelves, and various bins. The composite cargo bed was durable, with tie-down hooks and a power outlet in higher trims. The dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk added versatility, with the tailgate swinging open for easier loading and the trunk featuring a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a standard 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and satellite radio. Navigation, HD Radio, additional USB ports, and a Fender Premium Audio System were available. The interface was responsive, though the graphics were less modern than competitors. A 7-inch programmable information display was standard, and the audio system could be upgraded to a 12-speaker Fender system with a 485-watt amplifier.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a seven-speaker sound system. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline Sport test truck lacked these upgrades but offered seamless music streaming and navigation through Apple CarPlay. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward, with a focus on essential features.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional features included forward-collision warning, parking sensors, and an Around View Monitor camera system. The Titan offered a five-year/160,000-kilometre bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best in Canada.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centring assistance. The Ridgeline's safety systems were generally helpful but not infallible. It also included a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. The Ridgeline was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, earning high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though the 2021 redesign affected its small overlap front crash test score.