Which midsize truck is meant for your daily drive, the 2023 Ford Ranger or Honda Ridgeline? These pickups might have some comfort and convenience features in common, but they’re two totally different kinds of drivers. Let’s take a look at what each truck can bring to your adventures.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Ranger is the more affordable option, potentially saving you more than $10,000.
- With its excellent midrange torque and available four-wheel drive, the Ranger is the much sportier option.
- Unlike the Ridgeline, the Ranger offers a variety of off-road packages to upgrade your adventures.
- Both midsize trucks offer a healthy dose of comfort and convenience, though the more expensive Ridgeline comes standard with more features.
Price: 2023 Ford Ranger
The Ranger is the much better deal, with an MSRP of $27,400. The entry-level Ridgeline will set you back quite a bit more, starting at $38,800.
Sporty Power: 2023 Ford Ranger
With its impressive mid-range torque, the Ranger will surprise you with its stout performance. Not only does this midsize truck get up to speed in a flash, but it’s also available with rugged four-wheel drive. Add this performance gear for an adventure-ready drive.
- Turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine (270 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive
- Optional four-wheel drive
On paper, the Ridgeline does indeed deliver a little more horsepower than the Ranger. However, you can only access it at higher RPMs, which means that this truck isn’t quite as fast as the Ranger. That said, the Ridgeline is known for its impressive steering and handling, which come to you via its unique unibody chassis and fully independent suspension. The standard torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system also helps you safely navigate an icy highway.
- 3.5L V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft)
- Nine-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel drive
Off-Road Performance: 2023 Ford Ranger
Whether with standard rear-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive, the 2023 Ranger is the much more rugged option. And you can upgrade any Ranger model with rugged gear, compliments of the FX2 (for rear-wheel-drive Rangers) and FX4 (for four-wheel-drive Rangers) packages. They upgrade your ride with all-terrain tires and a sport-tuned suspension, among other features. Then there’s the Tremor Off-Road package, meant for true enthusiasts, with bigger, 32-inch all-terrain tires, a revised sport-tuned suspension for 0.8 inch more ground clearance, and off-road-specific Fox shocks.
The 2023 Ridgeline, meanwhile, comes standard with all-wheel drive, helping you improve traction on light trails or wintery roads. However, remember that all-wheel-drive systems only power all four wheels when they sense slippage in the rear wheels. Otherwise, the Ridgeline is basically a front-wheel drive pickup. Not only that, but the Ridgeline doesn’t offer off-road packages or trim models to help you travel an especially rugged trail.
Creature Comforts: 2023 Honda Ridgeline
With its significantly higher starting price, the Ridgeline does give you a few extra standard features. For instance, automatic tri-zone climate control lets you create three different temperate zones. And every Ridgeline includes an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
Although the entry-level Ranger XL is pretty basic (with manual AC and a single USB port), it’s still available with a smartphone-friendly infotainment system and dual-zone automatic climate control (And, remember, the entry-level XL is a much better deal than the Ridgeline!) Just like the Ridgeline, the Ranger is also available with all the usual upgrades, from leather upholstery to heated front seats.
Your New Truck
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline appeals to the kind of truck driver who prefers to travel the pavement and doesn’t mind spending big. However, in addition to being the much more rugged option, the 2023 Ford Ranger is far more impressive in around-town driving situations. This Ford truck also gives you a much lower starting price!