2022 Toyota Tacoma 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. The truck's tires had a more aggressive tread, and new wheel designs were introduced in black and gunmetal. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with prices ranging from $44,355 to $53,355, excluding a destination charge. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean hard plastic surfaces.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, despite showing signs of aging, maintained a contemporary exterior with an aggressive grille and headlights. Inside, the cabin revealed its age with hard plastics and outdated switchgear. The Tacoma was available in various configurations, including Access and Double Cab styles, with different trim levels like SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD Pro. Standard features included 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TRD Pro trim offered unique styling, a TRD-tuned suspension, and advanced off-road features, making it well-suited for trail adventures.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The standard all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management allowed up to 70% of the engine's power to be directed to a single rear wheel. The Ridgeline offered Snow, Sand, and Mud settings for traction management but lacked a Rock setting, indicating its limitations in off-road capabilities. With a towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms and a payload rating of 694 kilograms, the Ridgeline was competitive in its class. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension provided a smooth and athletic driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. While the V6 offered decent acceleration in town, it struggled on highways due to transmission gearing. The TRD Pro trim excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing trail performance. The Tacoma's suspension balanced trail capability with a smooth ride, though steering effort was noticeable at low speeds.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a roomy rear seat. Standard features included triple-zone automatic climate control and a power moonroof. The Ridgeline's utility was highlighted by its composite cargo bed, which was dent- and scratch-resistant, and its innovative dual-action tailgate. The bed provided 960 litres of cargo space, and the in-bed trunk offered 207 litres of weatherproof storage with a drain plug for easy cleaning.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma was available in Access Cab and Double Cab styles, with a choice of bed lengths. The Access Cab's rear jump seats were tight on legroom, while the Double Cab offered slightly more space but remained cramped for adults. The front seats provided ample legroom, though the steering wheel's limited adjustment could be an issue for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed featured in-bed lighting and a power outlet, adding to its practicality.

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

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and a simple layout. The Tacoma also offered a wireless device charger, though it required manual activation. While the infotainment system was basic, it was reliable and easy to use.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Ridgeline also had 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 small overlap front crash test score.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.