2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in multiple trims, including SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. As you moved up the trim levels, the Tundra became more luxurious. It offered two cab styles: Double Cab and CrewMax, with three bed lengths depending on the configuration. Prices ranged from $33,425 to $52,930, excluding destination charges and options. The test model was a top-tier TRD Pro CrewMax with 4WD, painted in an exclusive Army Green color and featuring black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. The interior was equipped with black leather seats with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery. Despite its aged design, the interior was functional but marred by industrial-grade plastic.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a redesign, particularly in the front and rear bumpers, giving it a more aggressive look. It featured new wheel designs in black, dark gray, and bronze, with the latter part of the new HPD Package. The HPD Package also included oversized fender trim, a unique grille, and bold stickers. Available in Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims, prices ranged from $36,490 to $43,920, excluding a $1,175 destination charge. The test model was a Sport trim with Radiant Red Metallic II paint and the HPD Package, priced at $41,039. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. It had a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds in the SR Double Cab with RWD. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a stainless-steel TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine delivered robust power, but the truck's size made it less agile on narrow trails. Fuel efficiency was poor, averaging 14.3 mpg, with EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Honda's AWD system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) was standard, capable of directing up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. The Ridgeline featured Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud settings. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,583 pounds. The Ridgeline excelled in on-road performance, thanks to its unibody architecture, independent rear suspension, and torque-vectoring AWD. It handled off-road conditions well but was not designed for rock crawling.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, especially in the CrewMax configuration. The rear seating area was large, and the front seats were supportive and comfortable. However, storage options were limited, with a small glove compartment and few practical storage spots in the backseat. The bed was basic, lacking advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates. The Tundra emphasized simplicity over frills.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a more comfortable and functional interior. The Sport trim featured manually-adjustable front seats with inboard armrests and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and triple-zone automatic climate control was standard. Higher trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The Ridgeline excelled in utility, with a large center storage console, various storage bins, and a composite cargo bed with a dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system featured a 7-inch display in lower trims and an 8-inch screen in higher trims. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and connected services. The TRD Pro model had dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. However, the system's design was outdated, and it lacked advanced towing technology.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, and a premium sound system. The Sport trim test model lacked these upgrades but still offered essential connectivity features. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also offered a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. However, its crash-test performance was subpar, with Marginal and Poor ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact tests from the IIHS. The NHTSA gave it more favorable ratings, with 5 stars for side-impact protection and 4 stars for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance (3 stars for RWD models).

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. It also had a multi-angle reversing camera and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert in higher trims. The Ridgeline was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS in previous models. New crash tests were pending due to the redesign.