2022 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2022 Toyota Tacoma scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma is the better choice, offering superior off-road capabilities, higher towing and payload capacities, and a more familiar infotainment system.
Choose the 2022 Toyota Tacoma if:
- You need a truck with higher towing and payload capacities.
- You plan to do serious off-roading and need features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.
- You prefer a familiar and easy-to-use infotainment system.
Choose the 2021 Honda Ridgeline if:
- You prioritize a comfortable and functional interior with ample storage.
- You want a truck with a smooth and refined V6 engine.
- You need a versatile cargo bed with innovative features like a dual-action tailgate and weatherproof trunk.
Overview | |
MSRP$36,490 | MSRP$27,150 |
Average price$31,195 | Average price$35,509 |
Listings363 | Listings3724 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2021 Honda Ridgeline Reviews SummaryTrucks dominate U.S. sales charts in terms of the best-selling models in America, but they account for only 20% of total new vehicle sales. Nevertheless, this is a segment in which nearly all of the major car companies compete, including Honda. Now, thanks to styling, packaging, and functionality changes, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is poised to attract even more truck buyers. In part, that’s because it now actually looks like a truck. | |
2022 Toyota Tacoma Reviews SummaryOther small trucks have come and gone—and come back again—but the Toyota Tacoma has been the cornerstone of the segment for decades now. Though it has grown in size through the years, it has remained one of the best options if you’re in the market for a smaller alternative to full-size pickups. It’s a great option for a commuter who goes on the occasional camping, kayaking, or mountain biking adventure. The bed is good for picking up supplies to tackle a weekend project. But the midsize Tacoma has increased competition. In the past decade, the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger have returned. The Nissan Frontier recently received a long-overdue overhaul. And there’s even a new crop of compact pickups, including the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. So is the Tacoma still the big dog among small trucks? | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive Train4X2 |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City18 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway24 | MPG Highway23 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.5L 280 hp V6 | Engine Name2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | Torque180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower280 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | Drivetrain4X2 |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City18 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway24 | MPG Highway23 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity4 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Bed Length64.0 in | Bed Length73.7 in |
Cargo Space7.3 cu ft | Cargo Space |
Curb Weight4436 lbs | Curb Weight3915 lbs |
Height70.8 in | Height70.6 in |
Length210.2 in | Length212.3 in |
Width78.6 in | Width74.4 in |
Wheelbase125.2 in | Wheelbase127.4 in |
Maximum Payload1583 lbs | Maximum Payload1685 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5000 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity5000 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is 7.0 out of 10, while the 2022 Toyota Tacoma scores 7.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma is the better choice, offering superior off-road capabilities, higher towing and payload capacities, and a more familiar infotainment system.
Choose the 2022 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You need a truck with higher towing and payload capacities.
- You plan to do serious off-roading and need features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.
- You prefer a familiar and easy-to-use infotainment system.
Choose the 2021 Honda Ridgeline if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a comfortable and functional interior with ample storage.
- You want a truck with a smooth and refined V6 engine.
- You need a versatile cargo bed with innovative features like a dual-action tailgate and weatherproof trunk.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $36,490 | $27,150 |
Average price | $31,195 | $35,509 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.8 | 4.2 |
Expert reviews | 7.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Trucks dominate U.S. sales charts in terms of the best-selling models in America, but they account for only 20% of total new vehicle sales. Nevertheless, this is a segment in which nearly all of the major car companies compete, including Honda. Now, thanks to styling, packaging, and functionality changes, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is poised to attract even more truck buyers. In part, that’s because it now actually looks like a truck. | Other small trucks have come and gone—and come back again—but the Toyota Tacoma has been the cornerstone of the segment for decades now. Though it has grown in size through the years, it has remained one of the best options if you’re in the market for a smaller alternative to full-size pickups. It’s a great option for a commuter who goes on the occasional camping, kayaking, or mountain biking adventure. The bed is good for picking up supplies to tackle a weekend project. But the midsize Tacoma has increased competition. In the past decade, the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger have returned. The Nissan Frontier recently received a long-overdue overhaul. And there’s even a new crop of compact pickups, including the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick. So is the Tacoma still the big dog among small trucks? |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | 4X2 |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 18 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 24 | 23 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.5L 280 hp V6 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6000 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | 4X2 |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 18 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 24 | 23 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 4 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Bed Length | 64.0 in | 73.7 in |
Cargo Space | 7.3 cu ft | |
Curb Weight | 4436 lbs | 3915 lbs |
Height | 70.8 in | 70.6 in |
Length | 210.2 in | 212.3 in |
Width | 78.6 in | 74.4 in |
Wheelbase | 125.2 in | 127.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1583 lbs | 1685 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5000 lbs | 3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 5000 lbs | |
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a significant redesign, focusing on making it look more like a traditional truck. Honda revamped the front end and added a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets. The tires featured a more aggressive shoulder tread, and new wheel designs were introduced in black, dark gray, and bronze. The bronze wheels were part of the new Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package, which also included oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold stickers on the cargo bed. The Ridgeline's interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces.
In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, despite its 2020 facelift, started to show signs of aging, especially in the cabin. The exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights. However, the interior featured a mix of new elements like push-button start alongside older buttons and switchgear. The Tacoma offered various trim levels, each adding different features, from the basic SR with 16-inch steel wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen to the range-topping TRD Pro with unique exterior styling, underbody skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with a powerful, smooth, and refined 280-horsepower V6 engine, producing 262 pound-feet of torque. It used a nine-speed automatic transmission with Normal and Sport modes to power all four wheels. The Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) was standard, featuring torque-vectoring that could send up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. Intelligent Traction Management provided Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, but the Ridgeline was not designed for rock-crawling off-roading. It had a modest 7.64 inches of ground clearance and shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Ridgeline offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,583 pounds. It excelled in flat terrain and was remarkably athletic and enjoyable to drive.
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, but it was underpowered. The optional 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, was recommended. The Tacoma had a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. Both engines routed power through a six-speed automatic transmission, with the TRD models also available with a six-speed manual transmission. The V6 struggled to get up to highway speeds due to gearing and transmission issues. However, the TRD Pro excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, making it a capable trail vehicle.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a comfortable and functional interior, with manually-adjustable front seats and the roomiest rear seat in its class. More expensive trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The Ridgeline's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. The bed held 33.9 cubic feet of cargo and featured a power locking dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk.
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab had clamshell rear half-doors and seating for four, with tight legroom in the rear jump seats. The Double Cab offered seating for up to five but still had limited rear-seat legroom. The front seats provided plenty of legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel did not extend far enough for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed featured in-bed lighting and a wall-style power outlet.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, voice recognition, traffic information, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The Sport trim included Apple CarPlay, making it easy to stream music and find destinations.
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system was a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen available on all trims except the base SR. The system featured a basic layout with large icons, making it easy to use. The Tacoma also included a wireless device charger, but it required manual activation. The infotainment system was familiar and simple to use, with easy access to Apple CarPlay.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) 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, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights on higher trims. The Ridgeline was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crashworthiness standards, earning high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The backup camera was standard but had a grainy image. The 2022 Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star scores in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests.
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