Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma
The Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma take completely different approaches to solve the midsize truck equation. Toyota employs body-on-frame construction with a separate cab and pickup bed, traditional rear- or 4-wheel drive with transfer case, and a solid rear axle for its Tacoma. Conversely, the Ridgeline has unibody construction, front- or all-wheel drive, and an independent suspension. Considering these factors, it's no surprise that the Ridgeline offers far superior on- road manners while the Tacoma is the off-road enthusiasts' preferred choice. A new Ridgeline does cost about $10,000 more than a new Tacoma but it is a much better daily driver with a more comfortable and functional interior. The Ridgeline's standard V6 engine provides significantly more power than the base 4- cylinder in the Tacoma, but with the optional V6, the Toyota has better towing capabilities. The Ridgeline has some clever features the Tacoma doesn't, including a tailgate that can fold down or swing to the side and an integrated, lockable "trunk" in the pickup bed. The Ridgeline also has better safety scores and offers more driver-assistance tech.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$42,413 - $49,070
Used Asking Price:
$28,571 - $39,997
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
23.6%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$30,236 - $48,067
Used Asking Price:
$27,997 - $44,724
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
13.8%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 10iSeeCars Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 11Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
7 out of / 10Summary Review
The Honda Ridgeline differs from all of its peers in this segment by being a unit-body vehicle, meaning it is not built upon a traditional truck ladder frame. That is either the best feature or worst feature of this truck, depending upon which view you hold and what you intend to do with it. The Ridgeline is only offered in a crew cab configuration.
Summary Review
Toyota’s Tacoma has been the sales leader in the midsize segment for decades. While other brands quit this market, Toyota continued to polish the gem that is the Tacoma pickup.
Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class on-road ride quality and performance due to advanced chassis design
- Best-in-class safety
- 2nd Highest reliability score in the class
- Great in-vehicle storage features
- Not an “off-road” truck in comparison to its peers’ off-road trims
- Least workmanlike design
- No extended cab configuration
Pros and Cons
- Wide range of trim levels and styles from affordable barebones to serious off-road
- Best in class retained value
- Strong track record of overall reliability
- Composite bed eliminates corrosion concerns
- Beware the recent few used years with transmission issues with some recent models
- Interior oddities like a low, flat seat
- Not as refined as most competitors, overdue for a full update
- Towing capability less than segment best
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Body Styles
Pickup Truck
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab
Available Cab Types
Crew Cab, Extended Cab
Available Bed Length(s)
64 inches
Available Bed Length(s)
60.5 inches, 73.7 inches
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
Sport, RTL, RTL-E, Black Edition
Trim Levels
TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport, SR5 V6, TRD Pro, SR V6, Trail Special Edition, Limited, SR5, SR
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
262 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.063 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
5000 lbs
Max Payload:
1583 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
159 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.041 hp per pound
Towing Capacity:
Not yet available
Max Payload :
1685 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 24 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
351 / 468 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.7 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 23 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
422 / 485 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
62 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.5 inches
Cargo Space:
7.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
109.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
34.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
24.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
85.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4436 lbs
Width:
78.6 inches
Height:
70.8 inches
Length:
210.2 inches
Wheelbase:
125.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.6 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3915 lbs
Width:
74.4 inches
Height:
70.6 inches
Length:
212.3 inches
Wheelbase:
127.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P245/75R16
