2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

2021 Toyota Tacoma
2021 Toyota Tacoma
$26,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Tacoma
$26,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$26,400

MSRP

$36,490

Average price

$36,001

Average price

$31,925

Listings

4048

Listings

348
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Easy-to-use technology
  • Excellent off-road capability
Cons
  • Sluggish performance
  • Poor handling
  • Underwhelming base engine
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Great handling
Cons
  • No alternate bed or cab configurations
  • Limited towing and payload capacities

2021 Toyota Tacoma Reviews Summary

Last redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way.

Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions.

Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup.

Search for a Toyota Tacoma on CarGurus

2021 Honda Ridgeline Reviews 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.
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.7L 159 hp I4

Engine

3.5L 280 hp V6

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

4

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

159 hp @ 5200 rpm

Horsepower

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

18

MPG Highway

23

MPG Highway

24
2021 Toyota Tacoma
2021 Toyota Tacoma
$26,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Tacoma
$26,400MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$26,400
$36,490
Average price
$36,001
$31,925
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.9
4.8
Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10

Read full review

7.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Easy-to-use technology
  • Excellent off-road capability
Cons
  • Sluggish performance
  • Poor handling
  • Underwhelming base engine
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Great handling
Cons
  • No alternate bed or cab configurations
  • Limited towing and payload capacities
Summary

Last redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way.

Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions.

Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup.

Search for a Toyota Tacoma on CarGurus

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.
Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.7L 159 hp I4
3.5L 280 hp V6
Drive Train
4X2
AWD
Seating Capacity
4
5
Horsepower
159 hp @ 5200 rpm
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
20
18
MPG Highway
23
24
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.

Popular vehicle comparisons