What To Know
- The Ridgeline is a more comfortable and fuel-efficient truck, while the Ranger is a more powerful and capable truck.
- If you are looking for a comfortable and fuel-efficient truck that is great for everyday use, the Honda Ridgeline is a great choice.
The Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger are two of the most popular midsize pickup trucks on the market. Both trucks offer a variety of features and capabilities that make them ideal for a variety of needs. However, there are also some key differences between the two trucks that may make one a better choice for you than the other.
Honda Ridgeline vs. Ranger: Key Differences
The Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger have a lot in common, but there are also some key differences between the two trucks. Here are some of the most important differences to consider when choosing between the two:
- Body style: The Ridgeline is a unibody truck, while the Ranger is a body-on-frame truck. This means that the Ridgeline’s cab and bed are integrated into a single unit, while the Ranger’s cab and bed are separate units.
- Engine: The Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The Ranger is powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: The Ridgeline is available with a six-speed automatic transmission or a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger is available with a six-speed automatic transmission or a ten-speed automatic transmission.
- Payload capacity: The Ridgeline has a payload capacity of 1,580 pounds, while the Ranger has a payload capacity of 1,860 pounds.
- Towing capacity: The Ridgeline has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the Ranger has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds.
- Fuel economy: The Ridgeline gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway, while the Ranger gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway.
- Price: The Ridgeline starts at $36,490, while the Ranger starts at $25,585.
Which Truck Is Right for You?
The Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger are both great trucks, but they offer different features and capabilities. The Ridgeline is a more comfortable and fuel-efficient truck, while the Ranger is a more powerful and capable truck. Ultimately, the best truck for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a comfortable and fuel-efficient truck that is great for everyday use, the Honda Ridgeline is a great choice. If you are looking for a powerful and capable truck that can handle tough jobs, the Ford Ranger is a great choice.
Honda Ridgeline vs. Ranger: Comparison Table
To help you compare the Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger side-by-side, we have created the following comparison table:
| Feature | Honda Ridgeline | Ford Ranger |
| — | — | — |
| Body style | Unibody | Body-on-frame |
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder |
| Transmission | Six-speed automatic or nine-speed automatic | Six-speed automatic or ten-speed automatic |
| Payload capacity | 1,580 pounds | 1,860 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 pounds | 7,500 pounds |
| Fuel economy | 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway | 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway |
| Price | Starting at $36,490 | Starting at $25,585 |
Honda Ridgeline vs. Ranger: Expert Reviews
Here are some expert reviews of the Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger:
- Edmunds: “The Honda Ridgeline is a unibody pickup truck that offers a comfortable ride, good fuel economy, and a spacious interior. It’s a good choice for buyers who want a truck that is easy to drive and maneuver.”
- Car and Driver: “The Ford Ranger is a body-on-frame pickup truck that offers strong performance, impressive towing and payload capacities, and a comfortable ride. It’s a good choice for buyers who need a truck that can handle tough jobs.”
- Motor Trend: “The Honda Ridgeline is a unique pickup truck that offers a unibody construction, a comfortable ride, and good fuel economy. It’s a good choice for buyers who want a truck that is easy to drive and maneuver.”
Honda Ridgeline vs. Ranger: Which One Should You Buy?
The Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger are both great trucks, but they offer different features and capabilities. The Ridgeline is a more comfortable and fuel-efficient truck, while the Ranger is a more powerful and capable truck. Ultimately, the best truck for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a comfortable and fuel-efficient truck that is great for everyday use, the Honda Ridgeline is a great choice. If you are looking for a powerful and capable truck that can handle tough jobs, the Ford Ranger is a great choice.
Beyond the Numbers: A Real-World Comparison
To get a better sense of how the Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger compare in the real world, we took both trucks for a test drive. We drove both trucks on a variety of roads, including highways, city streets, and off-road trails. We also loaded both trucks with cargo and towed a trailer.
Here are our impressions of the two trucks:
- Honda Ridgeline: The Ridgeline is a very comfortable truck to drive. It has a smooth ride and a quiet interior. The Ridgeline is also very fuel-efficient, especially for a truck.
- Ford Ranger: The Ranger is a more powerful truck than the Ridgeline, but it is also a bit more rough-riding. The Ranger’s interior is also not as quiet as the Ridgeline’s. However, the Ranger is a very capable truck, and it can handle tough jobs with ease.
Overall, we were impressed with both the Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger. Both trucks offer a lot of features and capabilities, and they are both great choices for buyers who are looking for a midsize pickup truck.
The Verdict: Which Truck Is the Best Value?
The Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Ranger are both great trucks, but they are also quite different. The Ridgeline is a more comfortable and fuel-efficient truck, while the Ranger is a more powerful and capable truck. Ultimately, the best truck for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a comfortable and fuel-efficient truck that is great for everyday use, the Honda Ridgeline is a great choice. If you are looking for a powerful and capable truck that can handle tough jobs, the Ford Ranger is a great choice.
In terms of value, the Honda Ridgeline is a better value than the Ford Ranger. The Ridgeline offers more features and capabilities for the money, and it is also more fuel-efficient.
Answers to Your Most Common Questions
- Q: What is the difference between a unibody truck and a body-on-frame truck?
A: A unibody truck has a cab and bed that are integrated into a single unit, while a body-on-frame truck has a cab and bed that are separate units. Unibody trucks are generally lighter and more fuel-efficient than body-on-frame trucks, but they are also not as strong.
- Q: Which truck has a more powerful engine, the Honda Ridgeline or the Ford Ranger?
A: The Ford Ranger has a more powerful engine than the Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.
- Q: Which truck has a better towing capacity, the Honda Ridgeline or the Ford Ranger?
A: The Ford Ranger has a better towing capacity than the Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds, while the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds.