Nissan Frontier vs Honda Ridgeline

The Frontier is built on bones that date back more than two decades. Nissan re-skinned this midsize pickup truck for the 2022 model year, carrying over its relatively new powertrain and primarily changing only what you can see and touch, which is why it drives more like an old-school truck than most of its rivals. Nevertheless, Nissan has continually improved the Frontier, a process that continues for the 2026 model year with extra standard equipment for some models and new option packages.

Verdict: We like the 2026 Nissan Frontier despite its old-school nature. It feels solid, it's simple, it exudes quality, and it's reasonably fuel efficient. Plus, it can tow more than a Toyota Tacoma. An obtuse digital assistant and a concerning crash-test rating are primary reasons to consider alternatives.

Honda isn’t known for pickup trucks, but that means it approaches them without any preconceived notions. The 2025 Honda Ridgeline takes a different approach than rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma with crossover-like unibody construction and clever storage solutions. Having received a few updates for the 2024 model year, the 2025 Ridgeline carries over unchanged.

Verdict: It doesn’t offer the towing capacity or off-road capability of more traditional trucks, but the Ridgeline is much easier to live with.