2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck aesthetic with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille, creating a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize twins. Certain models, like the Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition, offered unique styling features such as TRD Off-Road alloy wheels and blacked-out trim. The TRD Pro model stood out with its exclusive Lunar Rock color, blacked-out hood, and Rigid Industries LED fog lights. Despite its rugged exterior, the Tacoma's body-on-frame construction, typical of most pickups, compromised ride and handling but enhanced towing and off-road capabilities. The interior mirrored the exterior's ruggedness with chunky plastic elements, though material quality felt lacking at higher price points, even with optional leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, built on a unibody platform, offered a more car-like construction, enhancing rigidity and ride quality. Its conservative styling featured a snub nose and a classic pickup rear view with vertical taillights and dual exhausts. The 2021 redesign introduced a blockier grille, aligning the Ridgeline more closely with traditional trucks. The HPD packages added visual flair with fender flares and alloy wheels, while the Black Edition exuded a sleek, dark aesthetic. Inside, the Ridgeline's no-nonsense design boasted high-quality fit and finish, with features like leather upholstery, heated seats, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches, detracting from the otherwise well-equipped interior.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two powertrain options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The V6, available with both automatic and manual transmissions, featured Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel economy. The Tacoma's off-road prowess was enhanced by the TRD models, with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and all-terrain tires. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, but it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado in both towing and payload capacities.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, with its sole 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. While its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds was modest compared to other midsize pickups, the Ridgeline excelled in ride quality and handling, thanks to its unibody platform and independent suspension. The V6 provided ample power, but the transmission's slow response and a sluggish start-stop system detracted from the driving experience. Off-road capability was limited by the Ridgeline's design, with less ground clearance and traction management compared to traditional 4WD systems.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's interior space was compromised by its midsize-truck footprint, with the Double Cab offering limited rear headroom and legroom. The cabin's bunker-like feel was exacerbated by a short windshield and tall hood, impairing visibility. While rear seats folded up for additional storage, in-cab storage was limited, though a wireless charging pad was included. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an optional 120-volt outlet, but lacked innovative storage solutions like the Ridgeline's in-bed trunk.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, available only with a four-door crew cab and 64-inch bed, balanced passenger and cargo space effectively. Its bed included a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a slot for the spare tire, and an in-bed audio system. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed accommodated 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Inside, the Ridgeline offered under-seat storage, rear USB ports, and a large center console. The cabin felt more spacious than competitors, with a wider stance and lower cowl height enhancing the sense of roominess.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth, with a JBL audio system available on higher trims. The infotainment system was functional but unremarkable, with plain graphics and basic features. The TRD Pro model included a Multi-Terrain Monitor for off-road and parking assistance.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth. SiriusXM was available on all but the base trim, with navigation on higher trims. While the interface was not cutting-edge, it was user-friendly, with analog controls for essential functions. The Ridgeline's infotainment system was basic but functional, similar to its rivals.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline earned "Good" scores in most IIHS tests, with an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was standard on most trims, but a 360-degree camera system was absent.