Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma: A Comprehensive Breakdown
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Few vehicles are more iconic or more standardized than a pickup truck. For a long time, the main things you needed to think about if you were getting a truck were the size of the bed, hauling capacity, and how comfortable you wanted the interior to be. Almost everything else about these vehicles was similar, with only a few modifications across manufacturers and production years. When you’re talking Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma, though, it’s something different entirely.
Toyota Tacoma’s are very much what you’d think of when you think about the standard, classic, time-honored pickup truck. But the Honda Ridgeline is something a bit different from the mold.
In this review, we’ll look at how the Tacoma and the Ridgeline perform, which is better for what kind of consumer, and whether Honda’s breaking of the mold is working for the Ridgeline or holding it back.
In short, we’ll cover everything you need to know to decide between these two iconic pickup trucks.
Let’s dive in.
Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma General Overview
When you’re talking about a Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma, there’s one thing you just can’t forget. The Honda Ridgeline, for all its non-standard design, is one of the top-rated mid-size trucks. It’s consistently incredibly popular with drivers, and Ridgeline drivers are usually happier with their truck than most other truck drivers.
At the same time, the Toyota Tacoma might not get the performance ratings the Ridgeline does, but it’s consistently one of the top-selling trucks in its category. When it comes to sales, the Tacoma outperforms the Ridgeline despite its lower popularity rankings.
Let’s take a closer look at these two powerhouses of the pickup truck world.
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Honda Ridgeline
Unlike most pickup trucks, you don’t have a drivetrain choice when it comes to the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline comes standard with the Honda Intelligent Variable Torque Management All-Wheel Drive system.
That means you have a little less control over the truck’s performance but also speaks to Honda’s confidence in that design.
The system gives this truck a lot of power and helps it handle on different terrain types and in different weather conditions better than you might expect. The only problem is that the Ridgeline doesn’t offer much tire clearance, which limits its potential as an off-roading or work vehicle.
The Ridgeline is also standardized as a crew-cab pickup with four seats. However, you do get a little more customization in the 4 trim levels. The 64-inch open cargo bed is also fully standardized; there is no option to upgrade or extend the bed on this design.
Overall, that means that the Ridgeline isn’t just a mold-breaker; it’s also highly standardized and less customizable than most mid-size truck options. That might not be as much of a problem as you’d think, though, given how popular the design is with its drivers.
The Ridgeline warranty is nothing special, but it’s not a bad warranty either. Honda’s maintenance schedule is less standardized than some drivers prefer, but it’s close enough to give you a good idea when your truck needs significant maintenance.
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Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a little different in a few ways. For one thing, if you’re looking for more options when it comes to cab and bed configurations, the Tacoma can deliver in a way the Ridgeline just doesn’t. The Tacoma has a few standard options to choose from, which means that most drivers can get exactly the cab and bed design they’re looking for.
The Tacoma Double Cab (its crew cap option) is a little roomier and a good option for consumers with kids or who need to pack more than 2 people into the truck cab on occasion.
You also have more control over the drivetrain when it comes to the Tacoma. The most recent models are available with 2WD, 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case, and both options have some trim-level options to help customize even further. That’s a lot more selection than you get with the Ridgeline, but that also means more performance variability between the different options.
In terms of in-cabin features, the Tacoma really shines. Newer releases come with a trial subscription to Toyota’s in-cabin services, including a wifi hotspot, so you can see if you like the model features and want to continue. However, a lot of these bells and whistles get a lot less useful if you don’t subscribe to Toyota’s services after the trial period.
Model Pros and Cons
Looking at these two models, there’s a lot more similar on the surface than there is under the hood. Here’s a comparison of the pros and cons of these two vehicles so you can get a better idea of which mid-size pickup is right for you.
Honda Ridgeline
Pros:
- Incredibly high user ratings
- Lots of convenience and comfort features standard
- High fuel efficiency
- Lots of in-cabin tech standard
- A couple of trim levels to help customize
Cons:
- No drivetrain options
- Cab and bed configuration is not customizable
Toyota Tacoma
Pros:
- Lots more customization options to help your truck feel like your truck
- One of the most popular models in terms of sales
- More trim levels and additional features to help you get exactly the setup you want
- Drivetrain options
Cons:
- Some features require an ongoing subscription to access
- Standard cabin has fewer devices and driver assists than the Ridgeline
- Slightly lower safety rating than the Ridgeline
Choosing The Right Pickup: Tradition Or Innovation, Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma
A lot of times, in a head-to-head comparison, you’re looking at two models that are incredibly similar in their design, trim options, and additional features. That just isn’t true here.
When it comes to the Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma, you’re looking at a clash between a traditional pickup, with all the traditional options (the Tacoma) vs. a mold-breaking design that’s much less customizable than the industry standard but still incredibly popular with consumers (the Ridgeline).
When it comes right down to it, the difference between these two is whether you’re looking for a solid, versatile, and slightly different design or whether you want to customize your truck to meet your exact needs.
The Ridgeline just isn’t very customizable, but it’s more popular with its drivers than the more customizable and less standardized Tacoma.
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