2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck aesthetic, with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille, all contributing to its rugged appearance. This design contrasted with the more streamlined look of competitors like the Ford Ranger and General Motors' midsize trucks. Certain Tacoma models, such as the Nightshade Edition and TRD Pro, featured unique styling elements like blacked-out trim and model-specific grilles. Despite its body-on-frame construction, which typically affects ride and handling, the Tacoma was designed to excel in towing and off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, built on a unibody platform, offered a more car-like construction, providing increased rigidity. Its styling was conservative, with a snub nose hinting at its crossover roots. The Ridgeline's front-end design was updated in 2021 to appear blockier and more truck-like. The Black Edition test vehicle featured a dark exterior with matching alloy wheels and trim. Inside, the Ridgeline's no-nonsense design was complemented by high-quality fit and finish, with features like leather upholstery and heated seats. However, the piano black trim was prone to smudges and scratches.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It featured both 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions, with a part-time 4WD drivetrain that included a standard electronic rear limited-slip differential. The TRD models enhanced off-road capabilities with features like upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control. Despite its off-road prowess, the Tacoma's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. Its maximum towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, and payload capacity was 571 kilograms, though these figures varied by configuration.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline, with its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. Its towing capacity was 2,267 kilograms, and payload capacity varied slightly between trims. While not leading in towing or payload, the Ridgeline excelled in ride quality and handling, thanks to its unibody platform and independent suspension. However, its off-road capabilities were limited compared to traditional 4WD systems, with a maximum ground clearance of 19.4 centimetres.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's interior space was compromised by its midsize-truck footprint, with the Double Cab offering limited rear headroom and legroom. The cabin's bunker-like feel was exacerbated by a tall hood and short windshield. While rear seats folded for additional storage, in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet, but lacked innovative storage solutions.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline offered a four-door crew cab with a 162.5-centimetre bed, balancing passenger and cargo space. Its bed included a 207-litre lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a slot for the spare tire, and an in-bed audio system. The Dual-Action Tailgate and wide bed accommodated 4-foot-wide sheets of plywood. Inside, the Ridgeline provided additional storage under the rear seats and a well-organized front cabin with a large centre console and wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a JBL audio system and a Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system. While functional, the infotainment system lacked standout features, with plain graphics and basic navigation and phone connectivity.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth. SiriusXM and navigation were available on higher trims. The interface was straightforward, with analog controls for vital functions. While not cutting-edge, the system was user-friendly, and most rivals offered similarly basic tech.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating. The Tacoma included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control, though it lacked some features offered by competitors.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline earned top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with an "Average" score in the passenger-side small overlap frontal test. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included the Honda Sensing suite, with automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. The Ridgeline also offered blind spot monitoring, though it lacked a 360-degree camera system.