Toyota Tacoma vs Honda Ridgeline

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma, while brand new, did not stray far from its roots in design. The familiar Toyota truck appearance was retained, but with a meaner twist thanks to the new hexagonal grille and blockier, angular lines. The base SR trim featured standard 17-inch steel wheels, with most other trims rolling on 17-inch alloy wheels, and the TRD Sport and Limited came with 18-inch alloys.

Inside, the changes were more pronounced. The aesthetic shift appeared influenced by the Ford F-Series, with the dashboard sections now squared off and a hefty, geometric gear shift knob. The MOLLE panels, strategically placed throughout the cabin, underscored a function-over-form approach, even in the Limited trim, which featured heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats but still had conspicuous plastic grids. The Limited’s interior design choice served to emphasize practicality over luxury, a clear priority for Toyota trucks.

In contrast, the Honda Ridgeline’s appearance had always been controversial. The first generation was quirky, while the second made the truck look like an SUV with a chopped rear end. By 2024, recent styling changes gave this model a better presence with a blunt nose, tall hood, and new tailgate lettering packaging it more cohesively. The TrailSport trim's all-terrain tires also added some rugged appeal.

Inside, a noticeable change in the 2024 Ridgeline was the redesigned center console featuring a large storage bin covered by a wide armrest, replacing the former tray. The interior aimed for a more truck-like feel, distancing itself from the minivan image. The new 7-inch digital instrumentation panel, integrated into the gauge cluster, and the improved 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system amplified the modern feel.

Overall, the Tacoma retained its rugged, utilitarian essence with updated aggression, while the Ridgeline moved towards a more refined and cohesive look, bridging the gap between a traditional truck and a comfortable SUV.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma revamped its powertrain options entirely, now featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims. This engine, branded "i-FORCE," produced 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque in most trims, although the base SR's version was tuned down to 228 hp and 243 lb-ft. Both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive were available, but test drives were limited to 4WD models. The eight-speed automatic transmission that replaced the old six-speed automatic was smooth and timely in shifting, albeit with minor turbo lag from a stop. A six-speed manual was also available.

Toyota aimed for trim differentiation with distinct suspension setups: from the sport-tuned shocks on the TRD Sport to the monotube Bilstein shocks on the TRD Off-Road, each trim had its tailored driving dynamics. The TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims featured enhanced off-road capabilities with shocks from FOX and Old Man Emu respectively. Additionally, the updated electric power steering, now standard, improved handling and allowed more advanced driver-assistance features. The new Tacoma boasted disc brakes and an adaptive variable suspension option on the Limited trim for a noticeably improved ride comfort.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline continued to rely on its trusted 3.5-liter V6 engine, which produced 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda’s i-VTM4 AWD system, the power could be distributed dynamically, with up to 70% directed to a single rear wheel if needed. The Ridgeline's towing capacity stood at 5,000 pounds, short of traditional body-on-frame rivals, and it could haul up to 1,583 pounds in the Sport trim.

The Ridgeline's off-road capabilities were limited by shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a maximum ground clearance of just over 7.6 inches. The all-terrain prowess fell short, struggling on rugged trails and scraping the TrailSport’s new oil pan skid plate. However, it excelled on regular roads, offering a smooth powertrain, quick acceleration, and comfortable daily driving. The firmer off-road suspension in the TrailSport trim was a bit stiffer on pavement, and the new tires were slightly noisier.

While the Ridgeline's transmission was mostly smooth, it had quirks like excessive rolling when parked, which required careful use around pedestrians and close parking situations. In terms of fuel economy, it averaged 19.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 20 mpg combined rating.

Toyota’s new Tacoma bid farewell to the small rear seats of the previous generation with the introduction of the XtraCab, a two-door configuration intended solely for cargo space. Lockable storage on the floor and back panel made the area behind the front seats practical. However, accessing the driver’s side storage was cumbersome due to the manual seat adjustments, although the passenger side provided easier access.

The four-door Double Cab version offered improved seat comfort and saw nearly identical head- and legroom figures from the previous year. The gas-powered models increased under-seat storage threefold, making it more practical. The Tacoma offered a choice of 5-foot or 6-foot beds, with the larger bed only available in the XtraCab. The bed depth was increased, allowing for better cargo volume, and accommodations for accessories like camp fridges were improved.

On the Honda front, the Ridgeline made a strong case with its emphasis on comfort and practicality. Entry and exit were easy, and seat comfort was superior with supportive cushions. The TrailSport trim added luxurious features like perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Ridgeline’s roomy rear seats and triple-zone climate control with rear air conditioning vents contributed to passenger comfort.

A standout feature of the Ridgeline was its cargo flexibility. The rear seat cushions flipped up for more cargo space or to create a pet-friendly area. The TrailSport trim featured additional conveniences like a power-sliding rear window. The truck's innovative cargo bed incorporated a weatherproof, locking trunk with a drain plug, ideal for tailgate events or securing muddy gear. The dual-action tailgate facilitated practical loading either flat or wide open.

Cargo capacity comparisons revealed that the Tacoma excelled in towing with up to 6,800 pounds and a notable payload capacity, whereas the Ridgeline’s 5,000-pound towing limit and versatile bed and trunk storage catered to more casual utility.

Technologically, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma saw the most significant advancements. The standard touchscreen grew from a 7-inch to an 8-inch, while higher trims boasted a whopping 14-inch display running Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system. Despite the minimalist graphics, the interface was responsive and legible. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an optional Qi wireless charging pad, and the 10-speaker JBL system with a removable portable speaker highlighted Toyota's innovative drive. Optional pre-wired auxiliary switches and a newly available trailer brake controller complemented the practical aspects, making towing easier with the Panoramic View Monitor and wireless trailer camera accessory.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline, while not as revolutionary, made significant strides in technology. A 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system came standard, featuring a volume knob, tuning buttons, and quicker processor speeds. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging from the base model. The 7-inch digital instrumentation display provided clear, easy-to-navigate information alongside the analog speedometer. While the Black Edition trim enjoyed HD Radio, additional USB ports, and an eight-speaker premium sound system, the overall setup was user-friendly and efficient, benefiting all trims.

Safety saw considerable enhancements in the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The inclusion of electric power steering brought in new technologies alongside Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), offering Lane Tracing Assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Road-sign assist and an emergency stop system added another layer of safety, and the adaptive cruise control now featured four following distance options. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert became standard in all but the base trim.

Honda improved the 2024 Ridgeline’s safety package as well, making blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard on the Sport trim. The standard Honda Sensing suite remained comprehensive, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Road Departure Mitigation, however, showed quirks, causing unexpected hard braking in some situations.

The Ridgeline held a generally acceptable IIHS rating, marked down to Marginal for headlights and Acceptable for small overlap frontal-impact. NHTSA, however, awarded the Ridgeline five stars in most categories, with an impressive four-star rating for rollover resistance.