2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma had a long history in the North American market, dating back to 1995, with its roots tracing even further to the Toyota Pickup from 1972 and the international Hilux from 1968. The third-generation Tacoma, introduced in 2016 and facelifted in 2020, began to show signs of aging despite its contemporary exterior with an aggressive grille and headlights. Inside, the cabin's design was modern enough but marred by hard plastics and outdated switchgear. The mix of new elements like push-button start with older components highlighted its age.

Trim levels for the Tacoma included SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. The base SR featured 16-inch steel wheels, a tow-hitch receiver, a sliding rear window, air conditioning, manual seats, USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added features like fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheels, larger touchscreens, alloy wheels, sport suspensions, and more luxurious amenities. The TRD Pro, the top trim, boasted unique styling, underbody skid plates, LED fog lights, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a TRD sport exhaust.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, in contrast, was built on a unibody platform similar to crossovers like the Honda Pilot and Passport, offering increased rigidity. Its styling was conservative, with a snub nose and a classic pickup rear view. The 2021 redesign made the front end blockier and more upright, aligning it more with traditional trucks. The 2022 model continued to offer Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages for added visual flair.

The Ridgeline Black Edition test vehicle featured a no-nonsense interior with high-quality fit and finish. It came well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window, and a moonroof. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches, detracting from the otherwise practical and well-designed cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which was underpowered and lacked fuel economy benefits. The recommended 3.5-liter V6 engine delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, available as an option on SR and SR5 trims and standard on higher trims. The Tacoma had a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds when properly equipped. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with TRD models offering a six-speed manual option.

Despite the V6's capability, it struggled with highway acceleration due to gearing and transmission issues. Around town, it provided decent acceleration and a smooth ride, though steering at low speeds required effort. The TRD Pro excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing trail performance. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims offered additional off-road capabilities, making the Tacoma a solid choice for trail enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline stuck with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ridgeline 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 lower than some competitors, the Ridgeline could still handle small boats or jet skis.

The naturally aspirated V6 provided ample power, but the nine-speed automatic transmission was slow to respond, and the engine start-stop system was sluggish. However, the Ridgeline impressed with its handling and ride quality, thanks to its unibody platform. It felt more like a luxury car than a traditional truck, with a comfortable ride and quiet cabin. The fully independent suspension and torque vectoring AWD added to its handling precision. Off-road capability was limited compared to traditional 4WD systems, but the Ridgeline could still handle moderate off-road conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab (extended cab) and Double Cab (crew 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 rear jump seats best suited for children or storage. The Double Cab offered seating for five, but rear legroom was still limited. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the tilt/telescoping steering wheel's limited range could be an issue for taller drivers. The Tacoma's cab featured plenty of cupholders and storage, and the bed included in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline was only available with a four-door crew cab and a 64-inch bed, offering a good balance of passenger and cargo space. The bed included a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a slot for the spare tire, an in-bed audio system, and a 115-volt AC outlet. The Dual-Action Tailgate could open down or to the side, and the bed was wide enough to carry 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood.

Inside, the Ridgeline offered additional storage under the rear seats and rear USB ports on higher trims. The front featured a pushbutton shifter, cupholders, a large center console storage bin, and a wireless phone charger. Controls were sensibly laid out, with easy-to-use toggle switches for cabin temperature. The Ridgeline felt more spacious than other midsize pickups, thanks to its wider stance and lower cowl height.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch touchscreen on all but the base SR trim. The system was user-friendly, with a basic layout and large icons. The older design made it familiar and simple to use, with easy access to Apple CarPlay. However, the tuning and volume dials were undersized, and the wireless device charger required manual activation. Advanced tech features were limited, but the system was reliable for active lifestyles.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth. SiriusXM satellite radio was available on all but the base Sport trim, and navigation was available on the RTL-E and Black Edition models. The interface was straightforward, with analog controls for vital functions. While not cutting-edge, the system was easy to navigate and live with, similar to its rivals' basic tech offerings.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like 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's image was grainy, requiring extra attention when reversing. The NHTSA gave the Tacoma a four-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side crash tests.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech but had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Average" rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Ridgeline a five-star overall rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash testing. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, with automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring was standard on all but the base Sport trim, but a 360-degree camera system was missing.