When it comes to compact pickups, two of the most popular ones on the market are the Honda Ridgeline and the GMC Canyon. These two trucks have one thing in common when you compare each one with rivals in the same segment. What is it, what does each have to offer, and what do critics think about each pickup?

What 1 thing do these two have in common?

The one thing that these two pickups have in common is the starting price being on the higher side. Many of the competitors start as low as $20,000, but the Honda Ridgeline begins at $38,800 while the GMC Canyon price tag starts at $36,900. 

With the Honda Ridgeline, you get three other trim levels besides the base, Sport. The RTL model begins at $41,780 and the RTL-E starts at $44,730. The highest trim is the Black Edition, which brings a price tag of $46,230 before any features are added, according to Honda. 

With the 2023 GMC Canyon, there are three other trims besides the Elevation version, which is the base model. The Canyon AT4 begins at $43,900, and the Canyon Denali trim starts at $51,000. The highest version of the model is the Canyon AT4X, which begins at $55,500. 

What do you get for the Honda Ridgeline and GMC Canyon price for the base trims?

When it comes to the base trim of the Honda Ridgeline, you get a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produces 280 hp and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup enables the pickup to go from 0 to 60 mph in seven seconds. For fuel economy, you get 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg when traveling on the highway. 

The Ridgeline offers AWD, 18-inch alloy wheels, Class III Tow Hitch, an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, remote keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and manually adjustable front seats. 

For the GMC Canyon, you can expect a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine generating 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, according to GMC. Paired with it is an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination enables it to go from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds. 

As for features, you’ll get rear-wheel drive, a remote locking tailgate, an 11.3-inch display screen, three USB ports, and a push-button start. As for fuel economy, you can expect 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.

What do critics think about these two pickups

While these two trucks have high starting prices compared to competitors in the same class, U.S. News reviewers still ranked the trucks #1 in the Best Compact Truck segment. Both tied for that spot with a score of 8.4. 

When it came to the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, the reviewers still liked the powerful engine, standard AWD, excellent towing capability (up to 5,000 lbs), great handling abilities, and a comfortable interior with plenty of room for up to five people. 

As for the Canyon, the reviewers were impressed with the towing capabilities (up to 7,700 lbs) as well as its zippy four-cylinder engine. They also liked its spacious interior, comfortable seating, and large infotainment system that’s user-friendly, according to U.S. News. 

The Ridgeline and Canyon are great little pickups with much to offer. Just expect to pay quite a bit more for each one compared to many other competitors in the segment, which have starting prices in the $20,000 range.