2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a significant styling update a couple of years prior, which included a new front end with bolder details, LED lighting all around, larger dual exhaust outlets, and more appealing wheels with aggressive tread design. These changes gave the Ridgeline a more rugged appearance, although the optional Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages with oversized fender flares were best avoided. The Ridgeline was available in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Black Edition, all equipped with a V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and an i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system. Prices ranged from $47,435 to $56,435, excluding destination charges and fees. The Ridgeline shared many components with the Honda Passport SUV, resulting in a refined and sophisticated driving experience compared to the more traditional and raw Toyota Tacoma. The interior of the Ridgeline, especially in the Black Edition, was leather-lined, exuded quality, and offered a comfortable and modern design, despite its roots in the 2016 Honda Pilot.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma presented a more traditional pickup truck aesthetic with an assertive stance, upright grille, and tall bed, making it look substantial without being overly large. Toyota offered the Tacoma in various trims, including SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro, with multiple powertrain options and configurations. The TRD Pro trim, tested in bright Solar Octane paint, featured off-road-oriented enhancements like underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a unique grille. Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic to well-appointed, with the TRD Pro offering Softex leather-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats. The Tacoma's interior was functional, with physical knobs for climate control and easy-to-operate buttons, even with gloves on.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport and Acura MDX, featuring a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system capable of directing up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel. The Ridgeline offered a competitive 694-kilogram payload capacity but was limited to a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity due to its unibody construction. Despite its limitations in off-roading, the Ridgeline excelled in on-road driving dynamics, offering a comfortable and refined experience with class-leading fuel economy figures of 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a road trip. The Ridgeline's ride was supple in the city, SUV-like on the highway, and athletic on twisty roads, although the steering felt slightly heavy at lower speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma, in contrast, was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 provided a power advantage, the Tacoma was not particularly quick, requiring significant throttle input to reach highway speeds. The TRD Pro's off-road suspension handled city streets well but resulted in a tendency to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was less impressive, with the Tacoma delivering 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl control, but its on-road performance was less refined compared to the Ridgeline.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized functionality with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, a dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed trunk. The interior, shared with the Honda Passport, offered comfortable seats with power adjustment and excellent leg support. The rear seat was less spacious than the Passport but provided a high seating position and rear air conditioning vents. The Ridgeline's truck bed was impressive, with a dual-action tailgate, a flat cargo bed floor, and a lockable, weatherproof trunk with a drain plug. Honda offered numerous accessories for the Ridgeline, enhancing its practicality for various needs.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered multiple configuration choices, including access-cab and double-cab body styles with different bed lengths. The access cab featured clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, while the double cab offered easier entry and egress with a choice of bed lengths. The Tacoma's interior was functional, with available dual-zone climate control and seating for four in the access cab, although rear legroom was tight. The double cab improved rear seat comfort, and the front seats offered ample cubby space. However, the steering wheel's limited extension made it challenging for tall drivers to find a comfortable position. The Tacoma's bed was large enough to carry gear for a ski trip, showcasing its practicality.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline's infotainment system was dated, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The system was simple but slow to load, and the voice recognition system exhibited delayed responses. The touchscreen interface was straightforward, with touch-sensing shortcut buttons and a stereo volume knob. However, the lack of a tuning knob and cluttered navigation display were drawbacks. The wireless smartphone charger worked inconsistently, adding to the Ridgeline's need for a technology overhaul.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered an intuitive interface with a 7-inch touchscreen in base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was simple but outdated, with wireless charging available on higher trims. The Tacoma's premium JBL audio system and USB-A ports provided adequate tech features, but it lacked the latest infotainment software found in newer Toyota models.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline came equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard in Canada. The Ridgeline received favourable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and top marks from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro model added blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, the Tacoma lacked lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. It received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, with five stars in side-impact tests but lower scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.