2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a significant redesign, focusing on enhancing its truck-like appearance. Honda revamped the front end, adding a more aggressive grille and front end, along with new wheel designs in black and gunmetal. The Ridgeline's styling aimed to appeal to those who appreciate a traditional truck look, with features like a long, flat hood and bulging fenders. The interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and easy-to-clean surfaces, making it a practical choice for adventurers.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third generation with a complete redesign. The Tundra's exterior featured a dynamic and expressive look, highlighted by a large hexagonal grille with various trim-matched patterns. The TRD Pro trim stood out with retro "TOYOTA" badging and a technical camo pattern. Inside, the Tundra embraced premium materials and amenities, with a 14-inch touchscreen display standard on higher trims. The cohesive design linked the exterior and interior, showcasing a vehicle built from the ground up with attention to detail.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline was powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with Normal and Sport modes, and all-wheel drive was standard. The Ridgeline's Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) system allowed for torque-vectoring, enhancing its agility on the road. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Ridgeline excelled on flat terrain, offering a maximum towing capacity of 2,267 kilograms and a payload rating of 694 kilograms. Its unibody construction and independent rear suspension contributed to a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced two new engines, departing from the previous V8. The base i-Force engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's new chassis and suspension improved handling, with a multi-link rear suspension providing a more compliant ride. The Tundra's off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like the TRD Off-Road package, making it a versatile choice for adventure seekers.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a comfortable and functional interior, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a spacious rear seat. Standard features included triple-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, and a sliding rear window. The Ridgeline's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with a 960-litre capacity. The dual-action tailgate and 207-litre in-bed trunk added convenience, making it easy to load and unload cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came in Double Cab and CrewMax configurations, offering ample rear seat legroom. The Tundra's aluminum-reinforced composite bed saved weight while maintaining payload capacity, with options for different bed lengths. Towing capacity reached 5,443 kilograms, with features like trailer sway control and TOW/HAUL mode. Inside, smart storage solutions and thoughtful design elements, such as a sliding tray in the centre armrest, enhanced convenience for drivers and passengers.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While it lacked some advanced features, it provided essential connectivity options. Higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation, but the Ridgeline remained a refreshingly analog truck.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra boasted a new infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Toyota Connected services. The Tundra's upper trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch head-up display. Off-road enthusiasts benefited from the multi-terrain select system and multi-terrain monitor, enhancing the Tundra's off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came equipped with 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 featured a multi-angle reversing camera and automatic high-beam headlights. It earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, although the redesigned front-end affected its small overlap front: passenger side crash test score.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 as standard, offering features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane-tracing assist. The Star Safety System added enhanced vehicle stability control and traction control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on most trims. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the Tundra's comprehensive safety features provided peace of mind for drivers.