2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was built on a unibody platform, setting it apart from the traditional body-on-frame construction of most pickup trucks. This design choice provided increased rigidity, enhancing the vehicle's handling and ride quality. Despite its innovative engineering, the Ridgeline's styling remained conservative, with a snub nose hinting at its crossover roots. The rear maintained a classic pickup look, featuring vertical taillights and dual exhausts. The 2021 redesign introduced a blockier grille, aligning the Ridgeline more closely with conventional truck aesthetics. The available Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages added visual flair with fender flares and alloy wheels, while the Black Edition test vehicle showcased a sleek, monochromatic appearance. Inside, the Ridgeline offered a straightforward design with high-quality fit and finish, though the piano black trim was prone to smudging.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier retained its well-received exterior redesign, inspired by the 1986 Nissan Hardbody, and the interior updates introduced in 2022. The new model year brought a Midnight Edition for the SV trim, featuring blacked-out elements, while Pro-X and Pro-4X trims received Lava Red interior accents. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were available on Pro grades, along with a six-way power adjustable driver's seat. The Frontier offered nine exterior color options, including unique shades like Baja Storm and Tactical Green. The interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with Zero Gravity seats and ample storage space. The Frontier's design balanced rugged off-road capability with on-road comfort, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and payload capacities ranging from 1,509 to 1,583 pounds, depending on the trim. While these figures were modest compared to competitors like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado, the Ridgeline excelled in ride quality and handling, thanks to its unibody construction and fully independent suspension. The V6 engine provided sufficient power, but the transmission's slow response and a sluggish start-stop system detracted from the driving experience. The Ridgeline's off-road capability was limited by its design, with a maximum ground clearance of 7.64 inches and no dedicated off-road version.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier featured a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive system. The Frontier's towing capacity reached 6,720 pounds, with a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds. The truck's ride quality was improved with a more progressive suspension and noise reduction measures. Hydraulic steering provided a responsive feel, and the steering gear ratio was increased for better maneuverability. The Frontier's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and skid plates on the Pro-4X trim. The EPA rated the Frontier's fuel economy at up to 20 mpg combined for RWD models.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was available only in a four-door crew cab configuration with a 64-inch bed, offering a balance of passenger and cargo space. The bed featured a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk, a spare tire slot, and an in-bed audio system. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed allowed for versatile cargo handling. Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage under the rear seats and a well-organized front cabin with a pushbutton shifter, large center console, and easy-to-use controls. While the Ridgeline's headroom and legroom were comparable to other midsize pickups, its wider stance and lower cowl height contributed to a more spacious feel.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered two cab configurations: the larger Crew Cab with a 5-foot or optional 6-foot bed, and the King Cab with a 6-foot bed. The Frontier's bed volume was increased, with the 5-foot bed offering 40.1 cubic feet and the 6-foot bed 46.4 cubic feet. The hydraulically assisted tailgate provided controlled opening and closing. The Pro-4X trim included skid plates for off-road protection. Inside, the Frontier featured Zero Gravity seats and ample storage, with 4 liters in the center console and additional space in the door pockets. Under-seat storage was available in the second row on all but the base trim.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation were available on higher trims. The interface was straightforward, with analog controls for essential functions. While not cutting-edge, the system was user-friendly and met basic tech needs.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier introduced wireless Apple CarPlay on Pro-X and Pro-4X trims, with wired connections for other trims and Android Auto users. The Pro trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, while lower trims had an 8-inch screen. A 10-speaker Fender premium sound system was available on Pro trims. The Frontier also offered a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and an off-road gauge cluster on 4WD models. Nissan's Intelligent Around-View Monitor was available on Pro-X and Pro-4X trims, enhancing off-road visibility.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention but had a "Marginal" headlight rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, with additional features like blind spot monitoring on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control were available as options. The NHTSA gave the Frontier a four-star overall safety rating, with a five-star side crash test score. The IIHS rated the 2022 model Superior for daytime front vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention.