Battle of the Trucks: Ford Ranger vs. Honda Ridgeline
Ford Ranger vs. Honda Ridgeline: which truck is better? (Hint: it depends on why you want a truck.) Click here for details!
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup and its key competitor—the 2022 Ford Ranger—are both viable alternatives to the full-size pickup trucks on offer from both of these auto brands. That being said, they both have their own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Traditional truck lovers will be thrilled by the Ford Ranger’s impressive towing capacity and two different bed lengths. On the other hand, the mid-size Honda Ridgeline offers a more powerful V-6 powertrain, making it a strong competitor for the Ranger pickup. Both of these pickups prove that full-size trucks aren’t the only way to go.
Here to tell you everything you need to know about the pros and cons of the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline mid-size pickup trucks is
Jerry
—the #1-rated car insurance
comparison shopping app. (Keep reading to learn how you can find cheap truck insurance without a hassle.) 2022 Ford Ranger vs. 2022 Honda Ridgeline: the basics
So what exactly is the difference between the 2022 Ford Ranger and the 2022 Honda Ridgeline? Here are four of the biggest differences separating the two models:
- Engine: The Ridgeline offers a significantly larger 3.5-liter V-6 engine compared to the Ford Ranger’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
- Pricing: Starting prices for the Ranger are more than $10,000 lower than the Ridgeline. You can make an entry-level Ranger XL pickup yours for $27,425 while the entry-level Ridgeline Sport will cost at least $39,435 upfront.
- Safety: When it comes to safety ratings, the Honda Ridgeline received a stellar five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Ford Ranger only managed to receive a four-star rating.
- Towing power: While the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds with its six-cylinder engine, it's nothing compared to the Ranger’s 7,500-pound maximum towing capacity.
The differences between these two pickups don’t stop there though. For a more thorough side-by-side comparison between the two models, check out the sections below.
2022 Ford Ranger vs. 2022 Honda Ridgeline: power & performance
When buying a pickup truck, you’re probably going to start by looking at the model’s powertrain, horsepower, and efficiency.
The Honda Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive capabilities. The combination of those features offers Ridgeline drivers 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.
Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger is equipped with a 270-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and your choice between rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, the Ranger’s engine might be smaller than the Ridgeline’s but it’s enough to offer this mid-size pickup a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
Model | 2022 Honda Ridgeline | 2022 Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
Engine | 3.5L V-6 | 2.3L I-4 |
Horsepower | 280 hp | 270 hp |
Torque | 262 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
Transmission | Nine-speed automatic | Ten-speed automatic |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD or AWD |
EPA fuel economy (combined) | 21 mpg | 23 mpg |
2022 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2022 Ford Ranger: interior & storage
The engine isn’t the only part inside each of these two pickups that you’ll want to consider when deciding which model to buy. You’ll also want to take a close look at the difference between their interior sizes for passengers and storage. The Ridgeline’s SUV-based unibody construction is ever-so-slightly smaller than the Ford Ranger in most categories—but not by much.
One of the main differences between the two models is that the Ford Ranger is available with two different cab configurations: SuperCrew (five-foot bed) and SuperCab (six-foot bed). If you plan on frequently filling out the Ranger’s five-passenger seating area, you may want to opt for the SuperCrew configuration as it offers additional passenger volume over the SuperCab configuration.
Model | 2022 Honda Ridgeline | 2022 Ford Ranger |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 125.1 inches | 126.8 inches |
Length | 210.0 inches | 210.8 inches |
Bed length | 64 inches | 60 to 72 inches |
Bed volume | 33.9 cubic feet | 43.4 to 51.8 cubic feet |
Headroom (front / rear) | 40.1 / 38.8 inches | 41 / 38.3 inches |
Legroom (front / rear) | 40.9 / 36.7 inches | 43.1 / 34.5 inches |
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2022 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2022 Ford Ranger: technology & trims
Truck owners might be more concerned with performance than they are with technology, which explains why both models keep their tech packages fairly low-key.
Standard tech for the 2022 Ridgeline includes an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone integration, plus an in-bed audio system as well as standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking.
The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, features a similar bare-bones technology package, including a wi-fi hotspot that connects up to 10 devices, a four-speaker audio system, and standard forward-collision warning—same as the Ridgeline. But there’s more available as you climb up through the XLT and Lariat trim levels and packages:
- Co-Pilot360 Package (standard on XLT and above)
- Larger infotainment display
- Keyless entry (XLT)
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (XLT)
- Universal garage door opener (Lariat 501A package)
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2022 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2022 Ford Ranger: towing & off-roading
If you’re looking for a mid-size pickup that can go the distance in terms of towing and off-road capability, the Ford Ranger is the undeniable winner in this contest.
That’s not to say that the Honda Ridgeline isn’t made for work. Its unibody construction is paired with a powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive equipped with torque vectoring technology that sends 70% of its power to the truck’s rear wheel for added off-road stability. Similarly, the Ridgeline features a multi-mode terrain response system that increases traction on slippery, wet surfaces.
In the end, however, the Ridgeline is just no match for the heavy-duty hauling power of the Ford Ranger. When paired with all-wheel drive and an optional tow package, the Ranger can haul up to 7,500 pounds compared to the Ridgeline’s 5,000-pound towing capacity.
In terms of payload capacity, there is less of a difference between the two models, though the Ridgeline still comes up short. The Ranger boasts a maximum payload capacity of 1,905 pounds with the Tremor package. The Ridgeline, on the other hand, only offers a maximum payload capacity of 1,583 pounds across its four trims.
The Ranger’s optional Tremor Off-Road Package also makes it the clear winner in terms of off-roading. Available on the pickup’s XLT and Lariat trims, the package adds extra ground clearance, an upgraded suspension, massive 32-inch all-terrain tires, and underbody protection. Even better, the Ranger Tremor will only cost you $41,000 compared to the $39,435 you’ll be paying for the entry-level Ridgeline.
2022 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2022 Ford Ranger: safety
Neither the Ridgeline nor the Ranger is equipped with an outstanding package of safety features, especially when looking at their entry-level trims. The Ranger can benefit from Ford’s optional Co-Pilot360 safety suite, which includes features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping assist. Unfortunately, Co-Pilot360 is not standard on the entry-level Ranger.
The Ranger received a four-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while the Honda Ridgeline received a slightly more impressive five-star crash test rating.
2022 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2022 Ford Ranger: reliability
According to J.D. Power, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline has a predicted reliability rating of 78 out of 100, which the publication considers to be “Average.” Consumer Reports (CR) gives the pickup a rating of 4 out of 5 in terms of reliability.
The 2022 Ranger has received a similar 4 out of 5 predicted reliability rating from CR. The Ranger does, however, outclass the Ridgeline when it comes to its quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power at 85 out of 100.
Which is better: Ridgeline or Ranger?
Now that we’ve covered all of the major differences between the 2022 Honda Ridgeline and the 2022 Ford Ranger, it’s time to determine which of the models is the better truck.
From tip to tail, we’d have to say that the Ford Ranger is the better of the two trucks. It’s more affordable, more powerful, more capable off-road, and can tow significantly more weight than the Ridgeline.
How to find cheap auto insurance for your truck
One last thing you’ll need to consider when deciding which of these trucks is the best option for you: the cost of insurance for the
Honda Ridgeline
and the Ford Ranger
. The Ranger costs, on average, an additional $400 a year to insure compared to the Ridgeline—though those prices are going to fluctuate depending on your pickup’s trim level and upgrades, as well as your own driving history and other factors.
Regardless, you can find the lowest possible rates on truck insurance when you download the
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