2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2024 Toyota Tacoma

In the past, Honda gave the 2023 Ridgeline a noticeable facelift. A bolder front end, dual exhaust outlets, and beefier wheels with new aggressive tread design tires contributed to a more rugged appearance. However, the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages featured oversized fender flares that somewhat detracted from this rugged aesthetic. The 2023 Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition, all powered by a robust V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The base Sport model was fairly basic, while the upscale Black Edition could be had in white or gray—a nod to those not fond of all-black finishes. Notably, the tested Black Edition came with extra-cost Platinum White Pearl paint and 18-inch black alloy wheels, hiking its price to $49,866, including destination charges. By contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, despite being a brand-new model, did not stray far from the look of its predecessors. With a meaner and more angular hexagonal grille, it maintained the familiar Toyota truck design. The base SR trim featured 17-inch steel wheels, with higher trims riding on 17-inch alloys or 18-inch alloys on TRD Sport and Limited trims. Where the Tacoma truly shined was inside. A significant shift in aesthetic made the new Tacoma’s interior appear influenced by the Ford F-Series, with squared-off dash areas and a bulkier gear shift knob. MOLLE panels throughout the cabin further emphasized functionality over form. Even the priciest Limited trim sported practical, if large, plastic grids inside the doors and along the console.

Despite its SUV roots, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline offered sophisticated driving dynamics. Sharing its platform and major components with the Honda Passport and the Acura MDX SUV, Honda fortified this construction for pickup duties. The 3.5-liter V6 engine generated 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system capable of delivering 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel. While the Ridgeline excelled on paved roads, offering a smooth, nimble, and quiet ride in city traffic and on highways, its unibody construction limited it to a 5,000-pound towing capacity. Its 1,583-pound payload capacity was competitive, though. However, the Ridgeline's 7.6 inches of ground clearance and lack of a traditional four-wheel-drive system rendered it less capable in serious off-road conditions. In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma adopted turbocharging across its lineup. The standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. The base SR trim offered this engine tuned for 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic replaced the older six-speed, while a classic six-speed manual remained available but proved somewhat unwieldy in tight situations. With the introduction of various suspension systems and new rear configurations, the Tacoma aimed to provide a tailored driving experience across its trims. The TRD Sport featured sport-tuned shocks, the TRD Off-Road came with Bilstein shocks, and the Limited trim offered an adaptive variable suspension for enhanced ride comfort. However, full specs for the maximum capability of the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain remained under wraps. Newly standard disc brakes and electric power steering greatly improved overall handling, addressing the vague steering feel of previous models. Overall, the Tacoma presented a more diverse and capable driving profile, though some turbo lag was evident under heavy acceleration.

Functionality defined the 2023 Honda Ridgeline’s interior. Its SUV-like front seats and a middle console packed with storage options were user-friendly updates. Heated front seats and a steering wheel added comfort, although rear seating was less roomy compared to the front. The Ridgeline’s stand-out feature was its dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk, offering a unique combination of practicality and cargo space. With a cargo bed flat and over 50 inches wide at the wheel wells, the Ridgeline presented 33.9 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Ridgeline enhanced usability with its lockable, weatherproof in-bed trunk holding 7.3 cubic feet, invaluable for securely transporting gear or serving as an ice chest during tailgating events. In the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, Toyota eliminated the small rear seats from previous versions, instead offering a two-door “XtraCab” configuration for cargo space. This approach featured lockable storage and a convenient flat-folding front passenger seat for solo contractors. The four-door Double Cab models, such as the gas-powered Tacoma Limited, displayed an upgraded seating comfort, with ample head and legroom figures. With 41.8 inches of legroom upfront and 33.7 inches in the rear, the Tacoma provided better interior spatial arrangements. Additionally, the bed volume increased by seven percent, aided by deeper bed depths. Gas models offered a 440-watt outlet, and hybrids provided a more robust 2400-watt option.

Honda Ridgeline's tech offerings lagged behind due to its mid-2010s engineering. While standard features included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, most trims had satellite radio, and higher trims offered navigation and premium sound systems. The Ridgeline’s 8-inch touchscreen, basic by today's standards, exhibited slow loading times and outdated graphics. Toyota leapfrogged ahead with significant upgrades in the 2024 Tacoma. The standard 8-inch screen surpassed previous offerings, and higher trims boasted a 14-inch display. The new interface was responsive, allowing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Device charging was streamlined, featuring a Qi wireless charging pad and USB-C ports. Toyota's highlight was the optional 10-speaker JBL sound system integrated with a removable Bluetooth speaker, rivaling the Jeep Gladiator’s tailgate capabilities. Pre-wired auxiliary switches, inspired by the Ford F-150 Raptor, and a trailer brake controller paired with the Panoramic View Monitor, enhanced the Tacoma’s tech-savvy nature.

The Honda Ridgeline's safety systems felt dated, lacking the leap in refinement seen in more recent Honda models. While offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance, it omitted blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert in lower trims. Even the advanced features had quirks, such as the adaptive cruise control’s jerky responses. The Tacoma's safety features advanced considerably with the 2024 model. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 now included advanced features like Lane Tracing Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, and an emergency stop system. These additions marked a significant leap in modernized driver-assistance features, propelling the Tacoma into a new era of safety technology. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert became available on all but the base trim.