2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was designed with a focus on traditional truck aesthetics, featuring a long, flat hood, an aggressive grille, and bulging fenders. Honda revamped the Ridgeline's front end and added a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets, giving it a more rugged appearance. The truck's tires had a more aggressive tread, and new wheel designs were introduced in black and gunmetal. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with a price range from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding destination charges.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier arrived as a dramatically new midsize pickup, reflecting a rugged design reminiscent of the old Nissan Hardbody pickups. The Frontier was available in nine exterior colours and two interior shades, with our test truck featuring Baja Storm paint and charcoal leather seating. The Frontier was slightly longer than its predecessor, fitting well in garages and parking spots. It offered King Cab and Crew Cab configurations, with the King Cab's rear seats being more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier's design included a spray-in bedliner, optional LED bed lighting, and a three-channel tie-down system, enhancing its utility. Inside, the Frontier featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seats and improved insulation for a quieter ride.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivering 262 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management was standard, providing torque-vectoring capabilities. The Ridgeline offered Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud settings, but lacked a Rock setting, indicating its limitations in off-road conditions. With a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kg and a payload rating of 694 kg, the Ridgeline was competitive but not class-leading. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to a smooth and athletic driving experience.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier featured a retuned 3.8-litre V6 engine, producing class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission managed power to a four-wheel-drive system with 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. The Frontier's maximum payload was 635 kg, with a towing capacity of 2,944 kg. While not class-leading, these figures were competitive. The Frontier's hydraulic rack and pinion steering provided a heavier feel, appealing to traditional truck enthusiasts. The PRO-4X trim offered off-road capabilities with an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks, and skid plates, along with a best-in-class approach angle of 32.3 degrees.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline excelled in comfort and functionality, offering a spacious interior with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a roomy rear seat. Standard features included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and heated outboard positions. The Ridgeline's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 158 kg each. The bed offered 960 litres of cargo space, and the dual-action tailgate and 207-litre in-bed trunk added to its utility.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier provided exceptional front-seat comfort with its Zero Gravity seats, though the rear seats in the Crew Cab were less spacious. The King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier offered ample storage options, including eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. The truck's interior felt spacious and ahead of its competitors, with a focus on comfort and convenience.

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

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in technology, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The interface was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though wireless projection was not supported. The PRO-4X offered wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability, with an optional 10-speaker Fender audio system available.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. While these features were generally helpful, they were not fail-proof. The Ridgeline also included a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. It was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering standards, earning high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the redesigned front-end affected its IIHS score.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Frontier also featured eight airbags and traffic sign recognition on the PRO-4X grade.