2020 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma had a clean, pure, and simple design, though it wasn't the most visually striking among pickups. The back doors had a tinny sound reminiscent of older Toyota trucks, and the flared hood scoop was purely decorative. The Tacoma's body, available in extended Access or four-door Double Cab forms, balanced a rounded feel with upright lines and chiseled panels, maintaining a rugged appearance without feeling overly bulky. The TRD Pro model featured redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint, enhancing its aggressive look. The interior was straightforward, with a modestly sized touchscreen and mostly bargain materials, though fit and finish were superior to competitors like the Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline, redesigned forward of the windshield and front doors, featured a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets and more aggressive tire treads. The HPD Package added oversized fender trim, a unique grille, and bold stickers, available on all trims. The Ridgeline's interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and hard plastic surfaces for easy cleanup. The Sport trim included cloth seats, while higher trims offered leather, heated front seats, and ambient lighting. The composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks, a power outlet, and an in-bed audio system. The dual-action tailgate and weatherproof trunk added to its utility.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which was insufficient for a vehicle of its weight. The 3.5-liter V6, standard on most trims, delivered 278 hp and 265 lb-ft, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with 4-wheel drive optional. The TRD Pro model came with standard 4WD and a 6-speed manual option for TRD Off-Road and Pro models. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, though the manual transmission lacked these. On-road performance was less impressive, with slow steering and a laboring V6 engine. Fuel economy was poor, but the Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 pounds and carry a 1,440-pound payload.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The AWD system, with Intelligent Variable Torque Management, could direct up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management offered Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, though the Ridgeline wasn't designed for rock-crawling. With 7.64 inches of ground clearance, the Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,583 pounds. The Ridgeline's unibody architecture and independent rear suspension provided a smooth, athletic driving experience, making it enjoyable on paved roads and capable on controlled off-road environments.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's smaller size made it easier to maneuver in city environments and on wooded trails. The bed, available in 5- or 6-foot lengths, featured a rail system with movable cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. The Double Cab's rear seats were cramped for long trips, with limited storage options and no rear air vents. The lack of a rear defroster and driver-side grab handle were notable omissions, though the heater was quick and powerful.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a more comfortable and functional interior, with manually-adjustable front seats and the roomiest rear seat in its class. Higher trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient lighting. The Ridgeline's utility was enhanced by a large center storage console, various storage bins, and a composite cargo bed with tie-down hooks, a power outlet, and an in-bed audio system. The dual-action tailgate and weatherproof trunk added to its versatility, with the bed holding 33.9 cubic feet of cargo and minimal wheel well intrusion.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive interior with a 7-inch touchscreen radio, while higher trims had an 8-inch version with navigation and cloud-based traffic routes. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a USB-C port. Optional features included wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi. The Tacoma's 360-degree cameras provided ample views, and a standard suite of driver assists included adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, traffic information, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward and functional, with a focus on essential features.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma included standard safety features like forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Tacoma scored 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera, with blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning standard on all but the Sport trim. The Ridgeline's crashworthiness was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, with high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.