2020 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma was a straightforward and rugged pickup, embodying a clean and simple design. Despite its lack of aesthetic flair, it maintained a masculine presence with features like a flared hood scoop and a chunky grille. The TRD Pro package added a touch of aggression with redesigned LED headlights, a bold grille, and a striking Army Green paint option. The Tacoma's interior mirrored its exterior simplicity, with a functional dash and a modest touchscreen. However, the use of bargain materials and lackluster leather seats left room for improvement in terms of cabin luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline embraced a more traditional truck appearance with a redesigned front end and rear bumper, featuring dual exhaust outlets. The aggressive wheel designs and shoulder tread tires enhanced its rugged look. The Ridgeline offered a range of trims, each equipped with a 280-horsepower V6 engine and standard all-wheel drive. Its interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, prioritized functionality with ample storage and durable materials. The Ridgeline's design focused on comfort and utility, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with an optional six-speed manual for certain trims. The Tacoma excelled off-road with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, although these were not available with the manual transmission. Despite its off-road prowess, the Tacoma's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow steering and a noisy V6 engine. Fuel efficiency was subpar, with ratings of 13.0 L/100 km in the city and 10.5 on the highway. However, its towing capacity of 2,950 kilograms made it a capable workhorse.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a smooth and refined driving experience with its 280-horsepower V6 engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. The standard all-wheel-drive system with torque-vectoring provided excellent traction and handling. While not designed for rock crawling, the Ridgeline handled various terrains with ease, thanks to its Intelligent Traction Management system. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to a comfortable and agile ride. The Ridgeline's towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms was lower than the Tacoma's, but its payload rating of 694 kilograms was competitive.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's compact size made it ideal for urban environments, offering easy parking and maneuverability. Its bed featured a rail system with movable cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. However, the rear seats in the Double Cab were cramped, and the lack of a rear defroster was a drawback. The Tacoma's interior storage was limited, with no flat loading floor option.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in comfort and functionality, with a spacious interior and supportive power-adjustable seats. The rear seat was the roomiest in its class, and the triple-zone climate control added to passenger comfort. The Ridgeline's cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with a dual-action tailgate and a weatherproof in-bed trunk. Its numerous storage compartments and power outlet made it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, while an 8-inch version with navigation was available. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a USB-C port. The Tacoma also offered a suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology was straightforward, with a focus on essential connectivity and entertainment options.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma included the Toyota Safety Sense suite, featuring forward-emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. It received a 4-star rating from the NHTSA and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered the Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. While effective, these features were not infallible. The Ridgeline's crashworthiness was enhanced by Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering, earning high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.