2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Ford F-150

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a few years back, which included a new front end with bolder details, LED lighting all around, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread design. These changes gave the Ridgeline a more rugged appearance, although the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages with oversized fender flares were best avoided. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition, all equipped with a V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and an i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system. Prices ranged from $47,435 to $56,435, excluding additional fees. The Ridgeline shared many components with the Honda Passport SUV, resulting in a refined and sophisticated driving experience compared to traditional pickups like the Toyota Tacoma. The interior, reminiscent of the Honda Pilot, offered quality materials, ample storage, and a comfortable layout, despite its design dating back to 2016.

The 2024 Ford F-150 offered a vast array of configurations and trim levels, including eight different trims and options for regular, SuperCrew, or Super Cab configurations. It featured three bed lengths, choices between 4WD or 2WD, and six engine options. While the base XL model was basic, the King Ranch trim provided luxury with leather seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting. The F-150 retained physical controls for essential functions, making it user-friendly even with gloves on. The exterior saw subtle updates, with new wheel options and noticeable changes in the Tremor trim, which included orange accents and unique running boards. The interior introduced new earth tones, dubbed "Truffle," for certain models. The F-150's design focused on practicality and versatility, catering to a wide range of customer needs.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, featuring a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It had a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system, offering a payload capacity of 694 kilograms and a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Ridgeline's unibody construction limited its off-road capabilities, but it excelled in on-road driving dynamics, providing a comfortable and refined experience. It achieved a fuel economy of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a road trip, showcasing its efficiency among midsize pickups with gas-powered V6 engines.

The 2024 Ford F-150 offered a range of engine options, with the PowerBoost Hybrid being a standout choice. This 3.5-litre turbo V6 hybrid delivered 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. The Tremor variant featured a 5.0-litre V8 with 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor R boasted a 5.2-litre supercharged V8 with 720 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. The F-150's 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth gear changes. The Tremor and Raptor R variants excelled in off-road performance, with features like off-road-tuned shocks, electronic locking rear differential, and advanced suspension systems. The Raptor R's suspension allowed for high-speed desert running, making it a formidable off-road performer.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized functionality with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, similar to the Honda Passport, offered comfortable seats with power adjustment and excellent leg support. The rear seat provided a high seating position and rear air conditioning vents. The Ridgeline's truck bed measured 1,625 mm in length and offered 960 litres of volume. It featured a dual-action tailgate and a lockable, weatherproof 206-litre trunk with a drain plug. Honda offered various accessories to enhance the Ridgeline's practicality.

The 2024 Ford F-150 introduced the Pro Access tailgate, which could flip down or swing open for easier bed access. It featured a rear bumper step and lockable bed storage boxes. The F-150's Pro Power Assist allowed for powering accessories and tools, with options for a 2.0-kW or 7.2-kW onboard generator. Towing and hauling capacities were impressive, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,123 kilograms and a payload capacity of 1,018 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The hybrid engine offered a towing capacity of 5,080 kilograms and a payload capacity of 796 kilograms. The Raptor R prioritized off-road performance, resulting in lower towing and payload capacities.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline featured an older infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Higher trims included a navigation system, premium audio, and cargo bed speakers. The system's interface was simple but lacked modern design standards, and the voice recognition system exhibited delays. The wireless charging pad was inconsistent, and the infotainment system needed an update.

The 2024 Ford F-150 came with a 12-inch touchscreen running SYNC 4, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, a 5G LTE wireless hotspot, and wireless charging. A 12-inch digital gauge cluster was standard, and a head-up display was available. The F-150 introduced Ford Stolen Vehicle Services, allowing owners to track and recover stolen vehicles. The truck could back itself up to a trailer coupler automatically, and features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Smart Hitch technology enhanced towing convenience.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard in Canada. The Ridgeline received favourable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with top marks in most categories.

The 2024 Ford F-150 featured the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a 360-degree camera and Blue Cruise driving-assist system. The F-150 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top scores in crashworthiness from the IIHS, although some areas received lower ratings.