Pickup options vary considerably. But if you want something capable and lightweight, you’ll want to shop for a compact truck. Two of the trendiest models in this category are the Honda Ridgeline and the GMC Canyon. Both pickups present numerous benefits, but there are a few reasons why you might want to get the Ridgeline over the Canyon.

The Ridgeline is more refined than the Canyon

For 2020, the Ridgeline tops most lists as the best compact/midsize truck of the year. What sets the Ridgeline apart from rivals like the Canyon is its exceptionally smooth driving experience. As Consumer Reports put it, the Ridgeline shines as an “unconventional” modern workhouse. This Honda appeals to those who want a polished everyday-driver with truck capabilities.

The Ridgeline provides a single engine choice, and that’s a 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 linked to a nine-speed automatic transmission. As CR highlights in its vehicle road tests, the Ridgeline outperforms the Canyon in a few areas. The Ridgeline scored an 83 in CR’s road test while the Canyon got a 61. 

CR ranks the Ridgeline higher because of its comfortable ride quality and low noise levels. The Canyon isn’t as impressive in these areas. It’s also worth noting that CR officially recommends the 2020 Ridgeline as its #1 compact pickup. The Ridgeline got an overall score of 76, while the Canyon got a low score of 37 overall.

The Ridgeline comes with more in-car tech

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The Ridgeline and Canyon are nearly matched regarding infotainment. Both have infotainment systems powered by touchscreens; both come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. That said, the Ridgeline has the most standard safety features of any midsize truck. The Ridgeline’s long list of active safety features includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and road departure mitigation. Items like these are optional on the Canyon.

Many critics also consider the Ridgeline to have the most upscale car cabin in the class. The Ridgeline has five comfortable seats and incorporates soft-touch paneling. As CR noted, the Ridgeline has a fantastic interior compared to the Canyon, as well as the Toyota Tacoma. The main critiques the Canyon gets on the inside is that its seats lack support, and its finishings are cheap. 

It has better predicted reliability ratings too

Another significant reason to pick the Ridgeline over the Canyon is predicted reliability. Based on member data and testing evaluations, CR gave the Ridgeline a solid three out of five overall for dependability. CR gave the Canyon its lowest possible rating, a one out five. Also, according to CR, the Ridgeline has earned higher predicted owner satisfaction ratings than the Canyon. CR found that 80 percent of Ridgeline owners would repurchase their truck; 59 percent of Canyon owners said they would repurchase theirs. 

Research also displays that the Ridgeline has proved to be the longest-lasting truck. The data shows that the Ridgeline is the pickup with the highest chance of lasting 200,000 miles or even more. The Ridgeline has earned above-average dependability evaluations from other experts, including J.D. Power and U.S. News.