2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Frontier marked a significant step in Nissan’s “Nissan Next” strategy, which aimed to deliver 10 refreshed, redesigned, or debuting vehicles over 20 months. Following major updates to models like the Kicks and Armada, and full redesigns for the Rogue and Pathfinder, the Frontier emerged as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck. With its blocky, rugged styling, the 2022 Frontier echoed the design of the old Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s. Lead designer Hiren Patel described the design process as machining a solid block of metal to create the truck’s shape. Available in nine exterior colors and two interior shades, the Frontier offered a variety of customization options, including the off-road ready PRO-4X and 2WD PRO-X trim levels.

The 2023 Ridgeline, on the other hand, had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, featuring a new front end with bolder details, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread designs. The changes gave the Ridgeline a more rugged appearance, although the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages with oversized fender flares were best avoided. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, all equipped with a V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and torque-vectoring AWD system. Prices ranged from $38,800 to $46,230, with the Black Edition test vehicle priced at $49,866, including destination charges.

The 2022 Frontier’s powertrain was highlighted by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, which Nissan had introduced in 2020. Retuned for the heavier 2022 model, the engine delivered a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier offered strong acceleration and ample passing power at highway speeds. It featured a tow mode that remapped shift points for better performance under load, with a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. The nine-speed automatic transmission managed power efficiently, shifting down eagerly when climbing hills and quickly climbing back up to maximize fuel economy. EPA estimates for the Frontier were 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for RWD models, and 17/22/19 for 4WD models. The Frontier’s hydraulic rack and pinion steering system provided a heavier feel compared to the Tacoma’s electric steering. The PRO-4X trim offered a capable off-road kit, including hill-start assist, hill-descent control, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, and steel underbody skid plates.

The 2023 Ridgeline shared its platform and components with the third-generation Acura MDX, Honda Pilot, Odyssey minivan, and Passport SUV. The Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system. The Ridgeline offered a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity but was limited to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity due to its unibody construction. The Ridgeline’s 7.6 inches of ground clearance and lack of a traditional 4WD system with low-range gearing limited its off-roading capabilities. However, the Ridgeline excelled in on-road driving dynamics, offering a comfortable and quiet ride, nimble handling, and class-leading fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg combined and 24 mpg highway. During a road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the Ridgeline averaged 22.6 mpg, demonstrating its efficiency and refinement.

The 2022 Frontier excelled in comfort and capability, particularly in the front seats, which featured Nissan’s lauded Zero Gravity technology. The Frontier provided convenient storage options, surpassing the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. The Crew Cab offered a manageable amount of headroom and legroom, while the King Cab’s rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier’s cabin featured eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. Overall, the Frontier felt ahead of its competitors in terms of comfort and convenience.

The 2023 Ridgeline prioritized function, with practical features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The Ridgeline shared its interior design with the Honda Passport, offering easy entry and exit, comfortable seats, and a high-quality look and feel. The rear seat provided an elevated seating position and ample legroom, although it was not as spacious as the Passport. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a sizable load floor, and Honda offered an accessory rear underseat storage system. The Ridgeline’s 64-inch cargo bed featured a dual-action tailgate, a flat floor, and standard tie-down cleats. The in-bed trunk provided 7.3 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof storage with a drain plug, making it ideal for carrying groceries, luggage, or wet gear.

The 2022 Frontier saw significant advancements in technology, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on the S and SV trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The infotainment system featured physical knobs for volume and tuning, hard buttons for audio source, map, and camera, and a dedicated menu button. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but required a wired connection. The Frontier offered a wireless phone charger, an optional Kicker tailgate audio system, and a 10-speaker Fender stereo as part of the Premium Package. The Technology Package added safety features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Convenience Package included a spray-in bedliner, bed lighting, a trailer hitch, two 120-volt outlets, and heated mirrors, seats, and steering wheel.

The 2023 Ridgeline’s infotainment system was dated, with an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and basic HondaLink services. Most trims included satellite radio, but only the RTL-E and Black Edition had navigation, premium sound, cargo bed speakers, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system loaded slowly, and the voice recognition system had delayed responses. The user interface was simple, with touch-sensing shortcut buttons and a stereo volume knob. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the cluttered navigation display were drawbacks. The wireless smartphone charger worked inconsistently, making it a frustrating feature. Overall, the Ridgeline’s technology needed an overhaul.

The 2022 Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to perform better than the previous generation. The Frontier offered a range of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) under Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, trailer sway control, rear-door alert, and an easy-fill tire alert. Optional safety features included traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear sonar.

The 2023 Ridgeline’s driver-assistance systems were aging and less refined than newer Honda models. The standard Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on the RTL trim and above. The adaptive cruise control system struggled to maintain a safe following distance, and the lane-departure warning system’s steering wheel wobble was irritating. The IIHS gave the Ridgeline mostly favorable crash-test ratings, while the NHTSA awarded it top marks in all crash tests and a four-star rollover resistance rating.