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Starting at
Starting at
| 5 | Engine Options | 1 |
| 285-420 HP | Horsepower | 280 HP |
| 305-460 lb-ft | Torque | 262 lb-ft |
| 7,600-12,500 LBS | Towing Capacity | 3,500-5,000 LBS |
Over the last couple of decades, light-duty pickup trucks have become increasingly popular since they provide many of the advantages of a truck without committing to something as large as a full-size or heavy-duty model. When looking at something like the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2019 Honda Ridgeline, it is important to compare similar versions and trim levels. Although the Ridgeline starts at a lower price, it also lacks many of the features of the GMC Sierra 1500.
When looking at models at similar price points, however, it is easy to see what the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 brings to the table that makes it so hard to beat. In terms of power and performance, the Sierra offers greater horsepower and torque across the board, which means you get a lot more towing and payload capacity compared to the Honda Ridgeline. The interior features of the GMC Sierra are also a cut above the rest, including some of the best technology and comfort options available anywhere.
Overall, both the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2019 Honda Ridgeline are excellent trucks, but the Sierra simply has more to offer. It is more powerful, which means it can haul a lot more behind it, and gives you sophisticated interior options and more trim levels. While the Ridgeline might start at a lower price, by the time you start adding features and stepping up the trim level to get what you really want, you may find you should have simply started with the GMC Sierra.
A pickup truck should be able to deliver when it comes to engine power and performance – even a light-duty truck. While you would not expect something like the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2019 Honda Ridgeline to perform on the same level as a heavy-duty pickup, they should still bring plenty of muscle to the party. Fortunately, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 has great engines to offer with plenty of power, but the Ridgeline is underwhelming in this area.
There are essentially four different engines available with the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, depending on configuration and trim levels. The starting engine is a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 that offers up to 285hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. Up from there, you can choose a 2.7L Turbo engine that provides up to 310hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque. There is also an available 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine that offers up to 355hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. And finally, you can get a 6.2L EcoTEc3 V8 engine with up to 420hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque for incredible performance.
By comparison, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline falls short for one simple reason: there is only one engine available. No matter what trim you choose or other options you look at, you get the same engine in the Ridgeline. It is a 3.5L V6 engine that offers up to 280hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. That is fine, but you can see it does not even compare with the Sierra’s starting engine. Compared to something like the Sierra’s available 6.2L engine, they are not even in the same league.
The price difference between the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2019 Honda Ridgeline is definitely noticeable. In order to really see what you get at the same cost, it is useful to look at similarly priced trim levels. For example, the highest trim level for the Ridgeline is the Black Edition, which starts at just over $43,000 – pretty close to the Sierra 1500 SLE’s starting price of about $42,000.
For that price, the Ridgeline has the standard V6 engine with 280hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque and includes remote engine start. It has power windows and door locks, cruise control, and automatic climate control. You get a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic dimming rear-view mirror, an 8-inch Infotainment system, and a 4-inch driver information display.
At about the same price, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE starts off with a 2.7L Turbo engine that provides up to 310hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque. It has an 8-inch Infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and power windows and door locks. The SLE includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 4-inch driver information system.
Of course, if you want to step up your trim options even more, there are three additional levels available for the GMC Sierra 1500 beyond the SLE, including the coveted Denali level. With the Ridgeline, however, the Black Edition is its pinnacle – so it lacks options available with the Sierra 1500 Denali like a Bose premium sound system, wireless device charging pad, and an 8-inch customizable driver information center.
Even light-duty pickup trucks should be able to handle a wide range of tasks and get a lot of work done for you. We don’t expect the level of strength seen with heavy-duty trucks, of course, but a pickup should still be a workhorse, even when it’s a mid-size model. With that in mind, let’s compare how much weight the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and Honda Ridgeline can handle.
In terms of towing capacity, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 can handle up to 12,200 lbs. when properly equipped. By comparison, the maximum towing capacity for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline is just 5,000 lbs. If the weight of your trailer or camper and everything you plan on loading up in it is less than 5,000 lbs. then that might be sufficient. But that’s not even half the maximum towing capacity of the GMC Sierra, largely due to the much less powerful engine found in the Ridgeline.
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum payload of up to 2,160 lbs. depending on your choice of engine and configuration. That gives you quite a lot of weight you can pile into the back of the Sierra, which has a maximum cargo volume of over 70 cu. ft. On the other hand, the Honda Ridgeline has a maximum payload of only 1,586 lbs. That’s only about three-fourths the payload that the Sierra 1500 can handle, and the bed of the Ridgeline offers only about 33 cu. ft. of cargo volume.
If towing and payload are important to you, then the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is the clear winner, particularly if you need to haul more than 5,000 lbs. behind your truck.
To see just how safe the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the Honda Ridgeline are, let’s take a look at the full suite of available safety features on each of them.
The GMC Sierra has StabiliTrak with stability and traction control, numerous airbags, and LED daytime running lamps. There is an available hitch guidance package with “hitch view” functionality, and an available HD rear vision camera. Other available safety features include front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, a rear cross traffic alert, and even a safety alert seat that uses vibrations to warn you rather than audible warning noises.
With the 2019 Honda Ridgeline, there is stability assist and traction control, with numerous airbags, and available LED daytime running lights. Available safety options include a collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. Additional features like a safety alert seat, however, are not available.
It can be easy to get distracted by the lower starting price of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline without looking at what is behind that number. There are a lot of sacrifices made in terms of power, performance, and overall features in order to offer such a low price. And once you start upgrading to more impressive trim levels, the price goes up to the point that those sacrifices are definitely not worth it compared to something like the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500.
You deserve the best truck possible, rather than settling for something that falls short under the illusion of providing you with a better value. Come to Rick Hendrick Buick GMC and see the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 for yourself; decide with your own eyes which truck is the superior vehicle. Because, at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that you are happy with the truck you drive away in.
That is what sets Rick Hendrick Buick GMC apart from so many other dealerships. Our customers are far more important to us than any bottom line and we work hard every day to demonstrate that to each and every person who steps onto our lot. Come discover the Rick Hendrick Buick GMC difference and find the truck that is just right for you.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.