2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline offered a unique approach among midsize pickup trucks with its unibody platform, similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport. This construction provided increased rigidity that traditional body-on-frame trucks couldn’t match. However, in terms of styling, the Ridgeline was quite conservative. The most distinct feature was its snub nose, a result of a platform designed for front-wheel drive vehicles. From the rear three-quarters view, it appeared more like a classic pickup with vertical taillights, a centered badge, and dual exhausts peeking out from the rear bumper.

Launched in 2017, the current-generation Ridgeline initially had a front-end styling closely resembling the Honda Pilot. By 2021, Honda revised the grille to be blockier and more upright, giving it a more traditional truck look. The 2022 model continued this design. Additionally, Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages featuring fender flares, 18-inch alloy wheels, and distinct decals were available to add visual flair. Our Ridgeline Black Edition test vehicle had a monochromatic theme with Berlina Black paint and matching wheels and trim.

Inside, the Ridgeline had a straightforward, practical design with high fit-and-finish standards typical of Honda. The Black Edition test vehicle was well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudging and scratching, failing to stand out in the predominantly black interior.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma retained a strong, assertive stance despite being shorter than full-size pickups like the Toyota Tundra. It featured an upright grille and a tall bed, making it look substantial without appearing overly large. Toyota offered the Tacoma in various trims from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, and introduced new packages like the SR5 SX and Chrome Package in 2023, offering distinct styling options for different tastes.

Our TRD Pro test truck came in a vibrant Solar Octane paint, making it eye-catching even in snowy conditions. It included unique features such as a TRD-tuned suspension, underbody skid pads, and a TRD sport exhaust. The blacked-out badging and a hood scoop further enhanced its rugged, cool appearance.

Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic fabric-and-plastic interiors in lower trims to more refined settings with leather upholstery and soft-touch materials in higher trims. Our TRD Pro model featured Softex leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and all-weather floor mats, offering a comfortable and functional environment. The large knobs and buttons for climate control and infotainment were easy to use, even while wearing gloves.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline featured a single powertrain option: a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds across all models, with payload capacities varying slightly by trim, with the Black Edition having a 1,509-pound rating. While these figures were adequate for light towing, they lagged behind competitors like the Ford Ranger and diesel versions of the Chevy Colorado.

Despite this, the Ridgeline excelled in on-road performance due to its unibody design and fully independent suspension. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for daily driving, though the nine-speed transmission was sometimes slow to respond, and the engine start-stop system was sluggish. The Ridgeline offered a superior ride quality and handling than other midsize trucks, feeling more like a luxury car with its comfortable ride and quiet cabin. However, its lower ground clearance and less capable AWD system made it less suitable for serious off-road adventures.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with two engine options. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, wasn’t particularly impressive, often leading buyers to opt for the more powerful 3.5-liter V6. The V6 delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic or optional six-speed manual transmission.

In our TRD Pro model, equipped with the V6 and 4WD, the Tacoma wasn’t quick but delivered sufficient city driving performance and decent acceleration from a stop. However, it suffered from engine and wind noise at highway speeds, and the all-terrain tires contributed to additional road noise. The Tacoma’s TRD Pro suspension provided excellent off-road capability but resulted in a somewhat vague steering feel on paved roads.

Fuel economy was average for the segment, with the V6 4WD automatic delivering 18/22/20 mpg. Our TRD Pro test model achieved a disappointing 16.3 mpg in winter conditions. The Tacoma’s off-road capabilities were highlighted by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl control, making it adept at handling challenging terrains.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was available only as a four-door crew cab with a 64-inch bed, offering a balanced combination of passenger and cargo space. Its bed included innovative features like a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a slot for the spare tire, and an in-bed audio system. The Dual-Action Tailgate could open down or to the side, and the bed’s width allowed for carrying 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood.

Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage under the rear seats and rear USB ports on higher trims. The front cabin was well-designed with a pushbutton shifter, ample cupholders, a large center console storage bin, and a wireless phone charger. The wide stance and lower cowl height made the interior feel spacious, though it didn’t have clear advantages in headroom or legroom when compared to other midsize trucks.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered more configuration choices with access-cab and double-cab body styles, along with five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed lengths. The access cab had clamshell-style doors and tight rear seating, suitable mostly for storage rather than passengers. The double cab featured four genuine doors, making it easier for entry and egress, though rear legroom was still limited.

In the rear, the five-foot bed of our Tacoma test truck was sufficient for ski gear and other equipment. The front seats provided good cubby space but the steering wheel’s limited extension made it difficult for tall drivers to find a comfortable position. The seating position felt somewhat awkward, akin to sitting on a park bench.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Ridgeline’s payload capacity ranged from 1,509 to 1,583 pounds, while the Tacoma’s varied significantly based on configuration and trim, generally offering a competitive capacity within the midsize truck segment.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. SiriusXM satellite radio was available on all but the base Sport trim, and navigation was offered on the RTL-E and Black Edition models. The infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, though the graphics were outdated and the screen size was modest by current standards. Analog controls for essential functions helped mitigate the shortcomings of the touchscreen system.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. It provided Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While the interface was simple and intuitive, it felt somewhat outdated compared to newer systems in other vehicles. Our test truck included a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports. Overall, the Tacoma’s tech offerings were adequate but fell short of the more advanced systems in some competitors.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline earned top “Good” scores in most IIHS crash tests but received an “Average” score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. It had a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention, though the headlights were rated as “Marginal” and the LATCH system as “Average.” The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in the rollover test.

Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, encompassing automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added automatic high beams and blind-spot monitoring, though it lacked a 360-degree camera system, which would have been beneficial for a vehicle of its size.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro model also featured blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. While these features provided a good safety foundation, the Tacoma lacked more advanced aids like lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking.

In crash-test evaluations from the NHTSA, the Tacoma scored four out of five stars overall, achieving five stars in side-impact tests but missing top marks in frontal crash and rollover tests. It did not receive a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS.