2023 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 and Hilux models from the 1970s. The third-generation Tacoma, introduced in 2016 and refreshed in 2020, began to show its age despite its aggressive and contemporary exterior design. Inside, the cabin revealed its dated nature with hard plastics and older switchgear, although it did incorporate some modern elements like a push-button start.

Trim levels for the Tacoma ranged from the base SR to the off-road-focused TRD Pro. The SR trim included basic features like 16-inch steel wheels and a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road added sport-tuned suspensions, larger alloy wheels, and more advanced infotainment systems. The Limited trim offered a more luxurious experience with leather upholstery and a JBL premium audio system. The TRD Pro, which we tested, featured unique styling, underbody skid plates, and a TRD-tuned suspension, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, resulting in a more rugged appearance with a new front end, larger exhaust outlets, and aggressive tread tires. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, all equipped with a robust V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring AWD system. Prices ranged from $38,800 to $46,230, with our Black Edition test vehicle priced at $49,866.

The Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport SUV, which contributed to its refined and sophisticated driving dynamics. The interior, though dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, still felt modern and upscale, with quality materials and a comfortable layout. The Black Edition's leather-lined interior, ample storage, and excellent visibility made it a pleasant place to be. Despite its unibody construction limiting its off-road capabilities, the Ridgeline excelled in daily driving practicality and comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered two engine options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder producing 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine, available as an option on the SR and SR5 trims and standard on higher trims, provided better performance but still struggled with highway acceleration due to its transmission gearing. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds.

The Tacoma's suspension was designed for off-road use, particularly in the TRD Pro trim, which excelled on rough terrain with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, the steering felt heavy at low speeds, making city driving less enjoyable. The TRD Pro's off-road capabilities were impressive, absorbing rocks and bumps with ease and providing a thrilling trail experience.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, shared its powertrain with the Honda Passport. The Ridgeline's nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD system contributed to its sophisticated driving dynamics on pavement. The Ridgeline's unibody construction limited its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds, but it offered a competitive 1,583-pound payload capacity.

The Ridgeline's 7.6 inches of ground clearance and lack of traditional 4WD with low-range gearing made it less suitable for serious off-roading. However, it excelled in daily driving, providing a comfortable and quiet ride on highways and nimble handling in city traffic. The Ridgeline's fuel economy was also commendable, averaging 22.6 mpg on a road trip and 21.4 mpg on a test-driving route, making it one of the more fuel-efficient options in its class.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with a choice of a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab featured clamshell rear half-doors and limited rear legroom, making it more suitable for storage than passenger use. The Double Cab offered slightly better rear-seat space but was still tight for adults on longer trips. 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 bed included useful features like in-bed lighting and a power outlet.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized functionality with features like shelves in the front door panels, a large center console storage bin, and a dual-action tailgate. The Ridgeline's interior, shared with the Honda Passport, offered comfortable seats and a practical layout. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create additional cargo space, and the bed's flat floor and 50-inch width at the wheel wells made it versatile for various loads. The Ridgeline also featured a lockable, weatherproof in-bed trunk with a drain plug, adding to its practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system's basic layout and large icons made it user-friendly, though the tuning and volume dials were undersized. The Tacoma's wireless device charger required manual activation, which could be inconvenient. Overall, the Tacoma's infotainment system was straightforward and functional, if not particularly advanced.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's infotainment system, dating back to the mid-2010s, included an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like navigation, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The system's slow loading times and delayed voice recognition were drawbacks, but the user interface was simple enough to navigate. The Ridgeline's wireless charger was inconsistent, often failing to charge devices reliably.

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 Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's standard Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The Ridgeline received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and top marks from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.