After three years of taking test drives and watching reviews, I finally decided on a replacement for my 2003 first-gen Tundra. The Toyota seating position, with legs out straight and inadequate support under my thighs on long trips, has become an issue as I've aged, and the Tacoma hasn't improved. I gave up waiting for Nissan's new Frontier. Never warmed up to the Colorado/Canyon (and I'm still mad about the bailout.) Nothing mid-size from Ram is coming for the foreseeable future. So, it came down to Ranger vs. Ridgeline. I drove them back-to-back this week. Talk about night and day!. The Ranger was slightly quieter inside, hauls slightly more, tows significantly more. In every other aspect, the Honda wins, was $5k less expensive comparably equipped, and was available from stock vs. a seven-month wait for a Ranger (due to COVID-19.) In 17+ years driving my Tundra with its 5400-pound tow rating, I've towed that much exactly once, so the Honda will fit my needs. After sitting in the Ranger, the Ridgeline's interior felt like a full-size truck. Unlike the Ranger, Honda's back seat design actually gets out of the way when you fold it, and that's important, because in my case cargo will ride back there way more often than people will. I brought my new 2020 Ridgeline RTL-E home today, in Modern Steel Gray. Current styling trends in pickups is toward big-rig-wanna-be, but the Ridgeline's odd SUV look is more aerodynamic, one reason for the class-leading fuel economy, so I'll learn to appreciate it. The tray that holds the jack and spare tire will be temporarily relocated to the floor of the back seat if I need to haul mulch. The torque-vectoring AWD is by far the best system on-road, and will be enough for the mild off-roading I do. I'll survive without a volume knob. And my lower back will thank me for choosing the Honda's supportive seats and four-wheel independent suspension on long road trips. I'm retired, and given how long I've kept previous trucks, this is probably the last new vehicle I'll buy in my life. I'm glad I took my time and did my homework, and I'm happy with my Ridgeline. But you know what? I'm also happy that we have a bunch of choices, with something that appeals to everyone.
LMAO! If you "did your homework" you would have seen that the new Nissan has already been displayed publicly, and the new engine and trans are already being used in the current model. But if you live in an urban/suburban setting, and just want a truck to haul bedding plants and bags of mulch, the Ridgeline is definitely the right choice!
@@kiplambel4052 Yes, we've all seen the teases revealed by Nissan, the spy photos, the speculation that it will look like a baby Titan. And the 3.8 and new trans are a great move. But Nissan has said that underneath, it will be built on an incremental update of the same bones, so it's likely to have ride and efficiency close to the old truck. And it's still not available to see in the flesh or test drive. I had to cut bait. I'm on my second tank of gas in the Ridgeline, and over the first tank it got 26.1 MPG in combined driving, with the computer showing 25.8 so far for the second. I've had adults riding in the back seat, and they've commented on how comfortable they were. I don't think either of those outcomes will be common with the new Frontier. I'll post again after a couple of interstate road trips coming up, including one with cargo. So far I'm happy!
For years and years I owned cars because of ...family. They needed to serve the purpose. I always wanted a pick up truck...because I work with things that I need to transport, odd shapes. Ram 1500 V8 is awesome, but... I don’t like to spend money on fixing things. My 2019 Ridgeline is a perfect truck. Sometimes I have to drive for 5 hrs...it’s comfy. Oh it doesn’t look like a truck, seriously, I don’t care how it looks, it’s a truck that helps me do my job
@@hifromspacejojo6729 agreed. Nissan isn't something I'd consider buying, for longevity reasons, but it's more of a truck than the Honda. IF the Honda is enough truck for you, it's the obvious first choice.
RV: Same vehicle you have (RTL trim) - 06 with 223,000+ on the odo and still going strong. I really like this truck for anything I need to do. It can tow a small boat, camper or utility trailer easily, drives like a car and is still going strong, just like yours. One day I'll get the new model, but at the rate this thing keeps going, that might be several more years!
I love my Ridgeline. Never considered a truck before, but fell in love with the Ridgeline when I test drove it, and now I have one and I am so happy with it.
I am in the same boat, I have never been a truck buying customer. I have always bought sedans or SUV. The Ridgeline is the first truck that I am seriously considering... mainly to bring those big TV's home from the electronic store :)
I have a 1 gen Ridgeline. I do think that the new generation has a face that only a mother can love. However, I hated the looks of the 1 gen when I started looking and still drive my 1st gen. The reason being: you don't see the ugly face while sitting comfortably inside. The ride is incredible, does awesome in Montana winters, reliable, rides great, hauls me to the MTB trails over nasty fire roads, hauls road bikes, hauls us to hiking trails over gnarly fire roads, hauls garbage to the dump, hauls stuff home from home depot, etc..... So, people can bag on the Ridgeline not being a pickup, but keep in mind I traded my Nissan for something that was nice for commuting, carries my toys in comfort, and still hauls the stuff an average homeowner needs hauled. I love the looks of the Tacoma, but have a feeling I'll buy a 2nd gen Ridgeline when this one is done.
@@chrisafp071 Buying something because it looks good is exactly the type of behavior I expect from a child. Adults make purchase decisions based on usefulness and value.
@@yotapualie I really like the looks and practicality of the Tacoma and I really saw myself getting one when I was done with my Ram 1500 but I just don't fit in the Tacoma very well. I'm 6 foot, 240 pounds and it feels really confined as compared to the Ridgeline. I know there are bigger guys out there currently driving the Tacoma but that ridgeline was cavernous inside compared to the Toyota. I would argue that the Ridgeline felt as large inside as my quad cab Ram where as the Tacoma felt substantially smaller. I occasionally haul my ATV and firewood. For those few tasks, I get to put fuel in a full size V8 truck for the remainder of the year. I wonder if I could get the Ridgeline to operate within those parameters?
Good comparison. Thanks. It's interesting. My friend is all in on the Tacoma. But, I am leaning the other way. Frankly, the commentators who say that the Ridgeline isn't a real truck aren't very convincing to me. Practicality is the key. The Honda's creature comforts (love the wide bed, swing-out tailgate, and trunk) make it a much more long-term livable vehicle. At 65, I see the Ridgeline as a "gentleman's truck." At 42, my buddy sees the Tacoma as a "man's truck." They are both bloody expensive!
Had Tacoma's for years, then got screwed when the frame went to rust and I took a huge hit to the wallet. On my second Ridgeline (tree fell on my first one) and will never go back. Drives and rides better than any vehicle, car or truck I have owned and it tows my trailer in such a way that I forget it's there. Love the swing tail gate and the trunk keeps my small tools out of the back seat. Also the flat floor in the back seat area allows me to put boxes and cargo flat on the floor. I found the price to be very comparable to the Tacoma also.
@@jerrylush8435 I have the 6 speed. It is better for a young man, more responsive. However, the 9 speed is standard on the 2020 model. You can tell the difference because the 6 speed has the shift knob, 9 speed doesn't.
@@aweba25I was offered $5500 off the price of a 2019 touring with the 6 speed. I going to trade my 2014 Ram Sport which has been a lemon. $10,000 in out of pocket repairs since 2018.
I did drive the new Tacoma and it is greatly improved over the old one. What I didn't like was the seating needed more adjustments and it felt underpowered (felt that way in the 4Runner too). The 17 Ridgeline had everything I need including day to day being much more livable so I bought one and love it. 25 mpg on a long trip recenlty, tows my 4500lb camper with ease, lots of power, very comfortable for 4 adults. And it looks darn good too.
I had three new Tacoma's before getting a Ridgeline, and I will never go back. I got more vibration on dirt roads from the Tacoma and it is definitely a rougher and louder ride on the rode than the Ridgeline. The Ridgeline only has a couple more HP, but it drives so much more sporty than the Tacoma. The acceleration difference is extremely apparent, and makes the Ridgeline a ton of fun to drive.
Great review! I have a 98 extended 4wd Taco that I bought new. It now has over 500,000 miles and its all decked out for off road. I've driven both the 2018 Taco TRD-pro and the 2018 Ridgeline Black Edition. Both are nice but I'm going with the Honda for practical reasons. Its more in line with what I need as a daily driver and besides I'm also keeping my TACO for the rough work. As you said, different trucks that shine in different applications. Both are very nice.
It’s hard to knock a good truck, & they are making more than just one! I picked a Honda, for my needs & my families! Got room for car seats! Room for inside cargo, like a new TV 📺. LOVE the lighting, too. Storage inside the bed, with tie downs, just to name my reasons! If you see me off-road, I’ve had an accident! I’ve always taken care of my property, and don’t abuse my trucks. I’ve been a heavy equipment operator for over 50 years, and spent them building good smooth roads! I’ve been places with my dozers, that no truck can go, because I haven’t built the road yet! A truck for everyone’s need, a tow truck for everyone’s stupidity!
Had my 2017 RTL-T fwd for a couple of weeks and could not be any happier with it. 70 year old Disabled Vietnam veteran Marine with horrendous back problems and sciatic leg pain. The comfort level of driving this truck makes it possible for me to tow my boat for extended trips. I also do not haul much(occasional trips from Home Depot Lowes ,etc) and the only off roading I do is chasing Upland birds on logging and field roads. My 2009 Sierra SLE 4X4 served me well, but this Ridgeline meets my needs now. Everybody enjoy whatever truck you get.
Great video! I have a 2019 black edition Ridgeline and I absolutely love it and have no regrets about getting it. Style wise when I first saw it I thought it was ugly as hell but it has grown on me.. I do really prefer the look of the Tacoma but when it came down to it my new job is 130 miles away so for driving comfort the Ridgeline was a no brainer. Also like the bed speakers which I actually use sometimes but especially love the trunk in the bed. It’s huge it holds a lot including groceries and it seems so intuitive I don’t know why somebody didn’t think of it before. FYI I get about 26 or 27 miles per gallon but again most of my driving is highway.
I've had several Toyota and Honda vehicles in my life. I love both brands and am looking to purchase a "small" truck. After driving the Tacoma, I found that Consumer Reports rates the 2017 as a "worst buy" in its class, while the Honda is rated best in its class. The Honda meets all of my needs, I like the AWD and the larger and more versatile bed.
I had a 2017 Tacoma and the transmission is horrible. Mine skipped when downshifting. Love the look. Hated the mechanical issues. Had trust with Toyota, but having second thoughts now.
Test drove both yesterday. Like the driving feel of the Honda. Taco's bed for my purpose has more room and the walls are much higher. If the bed walls were higher on the Honda I'd choose the Honda.
Matanumi it’s hilarious all the people giving props to the Ridgeline. Lol just look at the resale value of a 06 Ridgeline vs the 06 tacoma lol it’s obvious which one is better
I have had several pick-ups in my 73 years, gmc, chevrolet, ford. I think you have to be totally honest about what you really need in a pick-up. If you do construction, ranching, farming, lots of towing medium to heavy loads you need a full size pick up. I live in suburbia, I haul or carry some 2x4's or a couple of sheets of plywood, go to the dump once in a while, really do not need a big heavy duty truck. I bought my first Ridgeline in 2008, the R T X in all honesty it has been the best pick-up I have ever owned. only has 116,000 miles on it . Normal maintenance, it's whole life so far, except 2 light bulbs, and after 104,000 miles a alternator, and a sensor on the fuel system. Still runs fantastic, oh the c d player had an issue and I replaced the radio for a modern blue tooth set up so I could play the music on my phone. My next and probably last will for sure be the Ridgeline. Now the wife's vehicle, family car if you please, is a Toyota Highlander, bought new in 2012, we have only put 61,000 thousand on it so far, awesome vehicle, after years of American vehicles, and what I call built in obsolescence, I have become a Toyota, Honda man, period. 12 years with the Ridgeline and 8 years with the Highlander, both in great shape. I had a little tacoma before the Ridgeline that I bought used, you could not kill that thing with a gun.
I currently drive a great 2008 Toyota 4Runner, but my next vehicle will be a Honda Ridgeline. You should mention that the Ridgeline can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in the bed flat, and comes with a sun roof, lighter color interior option, and non-subscription navigation.
My teenage (13yrs old) Ridgeline has never failed me in any way and continues to be a comfortable and impressive people and cargo carrier. I did add a backup camera to this 2006 model to bring it up to date, and it still stands out in a crowd. The bed trunk and interior fold-up space adds greatly to its utility.
I had a 1998 Tacoma for 10 years, then 2009 Tacoma TRD Sport and loved it. I just bought a 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport a few months ago....and wish I had the 2009 back! The new truck shifts all the time, which I find very annoying. I feel it's a harsher ride and has poorer sight lines than the 2009 model too. I never even put brakes on the first 2 truck....this one has an issue with the brakes at 1500 miles.The electronics are great though. I test drove a Ridgeline a few weeks ago and....wow. Smoother, quieter, faster, etc. I'm seriously considering trading for a new one.
YOU DON'T BUY THE RIDGELINE FOR SERIOUS OFF ROADING! Ok? Good, now that it's out of the way you DO buy the Ridgeline for everything else. If 98% of your needs are normal stuff then the Ridgeline is the one as far as mid size trucks go. It's really more of a hybrid between an SUV and a truck. I like that!
I like the innovation Honda made with the Ridgeline. Most people I have seen only drive a truck around to show off and never haul anything other than groceries. Honda took that into consideration and made a good truck for the average Joe with mostly city driving in mind . That being said I am leaning toward the Ridgeline. I also have a personal preference for the interior of the Honda. Anybody that thinks I should buy another truck then I am very open to somebody else subsidizing my next purchase, put your money where your mouth is!
Iv'e spent years in Ford F-150s....recently I changed and bought an upgraded Honda. It is no contest. The Ford is nowhere close to the Honda. Not even close. The Honda simply blows the Ford away.
I test drive both of these trucks with similar trim, level and my take away from driving both is that if you're 6ft and over you'll be more comfortable in the Ridgeline. If you're shorter than 6ft the Tacoma is the ride for you. Storage space is also better in the Ridgeline, and more bed space to load more stuff. For off-road performance the Tacoma is better for the fact that it has a much better ground clearance, and it's 4X4 vs AWD. The Ridgeline is a much better daily driver, and on long trips. I'm now enjoying my Ridgeline.
I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD off road and it's great. Only took it off road once since I had it the rear lock differential comes in handy and I agree the stability control is very sensitive. The slippage light comes on due to any slippage or rollback on an incline. Haven't used the crawl control or MTS features yet but they seem like useful things to have. I would say the Ridgeline is a better option if you have a long commute and don't do any off roading as I am sure it has better road manners.
why you so butt hurt of people wanting a Ridgeline? I am on my 4th tacoma and cant stand the harsh ride anymore. I dont do any offroading. Rarely tow. A Ridgeline will be in my driveway within a month. So much nicer ride and comfort that still gives be the utility of a bed. I dont consider the Ridgeling a truck myself but does it really matter? I guess it does if you have nothing better to do than to compare dick size.
Thanks, Ridgeline is it, after all I spend 95% with my drive from city to city, and less than 5% I will be using it outdoor activities. So why not get one that is comfortable.
I agree. both are great vehicles, designed to excel in different conditions. I'm not an off-roader; so I'll stick with my Ridgeline. If I were driving off-road; I'd probably get the Tacoma.
Overall, this is a good, comprehensive review of both these trucks. Unfortunately, it's all let down by the fact you don't declare a winner. You cannot tout that this is a face-off review in the title and then not say which truck you liked best. Which would you buy if it was your money? People already understand that these vehicles are different in the way they approach being a truck. We already know they're both probably good in their own way after hearing you talk about them. What you do need to do is tell us which truck you personally liked the best, and then justify that decision. That would make your videos more entertaining to watch. As it is, there too many of these types of face-off reviews online where the final lame conclusion is, "both of them are good".
You can't really declare a winner due to the different characteristics of the two trucks. Off road, go with the Tacoma. Mostly street driving, Honda takes it. It just comes down to personal preference and intended usage.
I got the Ridgeline over the Tacoma in a heartbeat after test drive both, I wasn't even considering the Honda but man o man its just too good to pass, so happy!
@Sol Dei they are overpriced. The Tacoma was one of the few things Iv bought and been happy with. Most of my friends have driven Toyota’s into the 300k range with lots of abuse and little to no maintenance. Enjoy your head gaskets while they last 😝
I have a 2006 loaded Ridgeline bought in 2008 with 18 k miles ,has 125 k and is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned . I like the older body better than the newer but that is just me . I have 2 friends that have bought them after they used mine or rode with me several times . I am 62 and have had a bunch of cars vans ect. but this thing does it all . Had in the sand at the beach, snow, ice off road in the hills but not like abusive off road, have towed a boat and so on. I will never be with out one of these . The best concept of a vehicle for what most people need I have ever been in ,great for 4 people on a road trip rides great . Trunk storage and under seat storage is fantastic concept I have a retractable cover on the back that is great . It is not the brute that a full size power truck is but it does what most people need a truck to do without giving up what you will be using it the most for witch is running on the roads . I am sure Tacomas are great but for those that want a Ridgeline get it you will not be disappointed !
Honda and toyota are the best..ive never had an american car last me more than 150k miles.. My crv has well over 200k and still making trips to other states no problem
It really seems like the Tacoma is a tight fit like most smaller trucks. A while back, I purchased a full size 4dr truck because it fit me. That being said, my wife's minivan fits me great, it's extremely comfortable and I no longer need the capabilities of my full size truck. Fuel economy is a sore spot also. I'm leaning more towards the Ridgeline because it seems to have more interior room and I can still carry my quad. As for the body-on-frame vs. unibody, the Ridgeline is still a truck, just a less capable truck. Let's not forget that not long ago, most SUVs were body-on-frame and now most are unibody and yet we still call them SUVs.
Great video! I recently purchase the Ridgeline and couldn't be happier. I'm not a truck guy, and love the "truck convenience with car-like function." It is comfortable for city driving, Lowes shopping, and highway travel. Love this car-trunk-whatever. Your video is spot-on!
love my Tacoma X runner and would like buy another Tacoma but my reality is little to no towing, certainly within the weight class of any truck and comfort is more important on a long trip than off road abilities I'm never going to explore at speed; I have Enduro bikes for that. Honda it is for me next truck.
I recently test drove both of these, and RTT and the TRD Sport. I can tell you the Ridgeline wins hands down unless you spend 90% of your commute in the dirt. The ridgeline has a lot wider bed and a huge back seat compared to the Tacoma. There are a lot of smaller features the Ridgeline has as well like rear vents for the passengers and the rear seats tat lift up. Honestly I was really disappointed with the Tacoma. I had to floor it just to get it going and anyone over 7yrs old does not want to ride in the back. Looks and styling def go to the Tacoma but I dont believe the 10k plus for the TRD models are worth the money. I would get a V6 4x4, extended cab SR5 for around 30k, but if you can get by with the Pilot styling, I would go with the ridgeline for the comforts and features. Either way, they are both great vehicles that have great resale and can log 300k miles with ease.
I agreed with your review. I'm a fan of Toyota, but in term of pickup truck, I think I would buy the Ridgeline this time, just because the interior styling, the bed unit design and mpg.
If what you do is tow daily or weekly then Tacoma all the way....I have one and it’s transmission sucks. It skips and Toyota has done all they can to reprogram the software to NO avail! Selling it.
Ridgeline for me. Better ride and handling, bigger, more comfortable cabin, more tech, more bed utility, better acceleration, better and more convenient AWD system (traction wise) for winter conditions. Tacoma might be good offroad, but i've seen a few videos of a Ridgeline with a lift/levelling kit and proper tires doing some impressive stuff in the mud, although the AWD system is certainly not built for rock crawling. As far as towing goes, I don't tow much, but anything over 5000lbs i'd prefer a full size truck for it. Both good trucks, but on a day to day basis, the Ridgeline does a lot of things so well that it's hard to ignore. As far as not being a "real" truck, North American Truck of the Year is truck enough for me.
Look up the You Tube video "Ridgeline stuck in the mud". It doesn't actually get stuck, although the guy tried to get it stuck all day. The guy driving the Ridgeline in the video owns a Tacoma. It actually does quite well off road when properly equipped. On a side note what does "fake news CNN" or politics have to do with which truck I like best? LOL I'm Canadian bud, i've driven everything from F350s to the Ridgeline so I have an informed opinion on the subject.
That's why I bought it. I downsized from a F150 because parking and driving in Chicago. I didn't need to get a in bed toolbox because of the large trunk, It can tow my boat, I have driven it through 12"+ snow, and I can put a 4x8 sheet of sheetrock in the back without it sitting on the wheel humps.
My husban have a Tacoma and last week, we try The Ridgeline way better on the inside. Overall i dont know its a guy think. But i fell in love with the Honda!
I have a 2008 4 Runner with the old 4.0 V6. That engine is great power and reliability. I recently test drove the Tacoma 2018 and found it to be woefully under powered with the 3.5 V6, it had to pull a huge amount of RPM's to get up to speed quickly. Additionally, the reliability rating for the Tacoma is even below that of the Colorado/Canyon. The Honda Ridgeline effortlessly gets up to speed very quickly, ride is tight and smooth, and it is luxurious. For my use, I go to work, I haul light loads (hunting gear etc), might tow a utility trailer etc. Very rarely off road except for an occasional grassy field. No doubt, Tacoma is better if you really plan to go off road. But, for me, the Ridgeline RTL is the obvious choice. Bought one this week, waiting for it to arrive.
hmm, I got an 06 Taco with the offroad package and the 4.0 L engine and I routinely trash people with it, its got tons of power. I would def miss that if I ever upgrade to a newer truck.
thank you for posting ,brother! i'm 6' 03"-i bought a Tacoma in quicksand 5 months ago. i drove it 200 miles before i realized i can't stand folding myself up-folding my head over EVERY TIME i got in and out of it. i went in to dealership(Toyota of Salinas) and got a Highlander Limited instead. i'm so happy with it. -and ive got my old ranger for hauling.
I bought the Pilot with the upgraded stiffer suspension and bed - otherwise known as the Ridgeline. Why? Family road trips/ski trips, where maybe the last few miles were on dirt roads or steep snow covered roads. It made more sense to me to buy the vehicle to be best on 99% of the miles driven and give up a very small amount on the other 1%. Whoever said women will love them was right. My wife has pretty much taken it over for daily driving, leaving me with my sedan for the most part. I am lucky the sedan is a Tesla Model S Performance, so I don't feel too bad about it.
The Ridgeline is what I need. The Taco is what I want. One makes your brain feel better, the other increases the testosterone. After 3 kids, I'm going with the latter...😂
The Ridgeline is the "safe" vehicle that the wife would approve of because it reminds her of the family minivan. The Taco is an actual (FUN) truck and the wife will be pissed you got it but hey she'll get used to it :)
I think you would have to be a small man to think that getting a Tacoma over a Ridgeline makes you a man. You would also have to be small to fit in the Tacoma. The Ridgeline is made to look like a woman's truck but made to fit a man and the Tacoma looks like a man's truck but made to fit a woman. It's rediculious that Toyota would build such a great looking truck that I almost can't drive because my head is into the headliner all the while my ass is nearly on the floor. The Ridgeline rides and drives like my wife's minivan but it's almost as roomy inside as my Ram 1500 so the Ridgeline gets my vote. The Tacoma is a very viable option for some of you smaller guys. I almost envy you.
I feel like people bashing the Ridgeline conveniently ignore that it is the only midsized that can lay plywood and drywall flat, and has a higher payload rating than the tacoma by 200lbs.
After trying nearly every truck...they all seemed slightly less than perfect, then I stopped by Honda, no expectations at all. Within minutes I knew the truck was far better than the others. That's my opinion. I bought the upgraded model. It's a damn fine truck.
I think you'll fall in love with it. I've own full and mid size for the past 20yrs...Nissan, Ford, and Toyota. It is very practical If you don't offroad much and tow heavy and get 30+ mpg on the freeway even with the AWD. Then you have the in bed trunk. You can buy the front door stops for 30$ and an 1hr of your time to make the rear doors open wider. Just swap it out, lots of vids in here.
@@squidusn71 I think I will like it. Wanted a little more comfort and a little less truck in my old age. My offloading is limited to the gravel roads at the local shooting range.
I picked the Ridgeline 17 and 2020. I had to be really honest about how much time I spent off road vs long drives on the highways. For my life I need the comfort of long distance travels on highways. Storage space and passenger of the Ridgeline cannot be beat. I go down fire roads 2 days a year so no brainer.
I owned tacomas and tundras in the past. I took a ridgeline line for a spin and fell in love.bought a 2018 and Sold the tundra to my my coworker and don't regret that decision.
I live in Panama, I had to choose between the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux, Mazada BT 50 and other full size trucks like the F150 or the Silverado. All the models I mentioned above apart from the Chevy and Ford come with Diesel engines and they drive like what they are work focused trucks, I ended up choosing the Ridgeline because in this market is a far better value for money and I won't be doing a lot of offroading, but for long trips occasional towing and practicality the Ridgeline is the best from the bunch...also it has the best interior of them all, by far. I'm picking up mine this week :)
What is considered a truck these days? Remember a pickup truck was a single cab does anybody remember those aside from the base model construction trucks when was the last time you saw one single cab long bed, short bed? That was a truck
Great video and great comparison. You are very well detailed on pluses and minuses. I liked very much on intended design based off the traditional PU design. People can't seem to grasp change so that is why they are "haters". I WAS one of those people. When I change out my S-10, I'm going to seriously consider a Ridgeline. The kicker to these deniers is EXACTLY what you said what it was intended for; city use with the general now and then PU use of hauling & off road traveling. I'd say 80% of the actual truck market should be buying a Ridgeline instead of what they do buy. There is absolutely no reason why the average Joe/Jane needs to get a 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton in downtown Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, etc when all its used for is city driving. And Lord forbid somebody should put anything in the PU bed! Great video and keep up the good work sir!
Toyota tried to be more masculine in design, likely to appeal to the type of Americans who buy pickups for that reason. The Ridgeline is definitely more creative in innovation & with its Unibody which "bros" seem to love to criticize is actually beneficial for daily use on the road. My nod goes to Honda.
Excellent review! The Tacoma is more of a “truck” and the Ridgeline is more of a car with a bed. Both beat any big 3 midsize truck in quality, resale and longevity.
I'm in the market for a new truck. And I'm not going to lie the more research I do into the mid size trucks I'm leaving more towards the Honda Ridgeline.
I have almost 35,000 miles on my Ridgeline. All will dive in the Ridgeline is far superior to 4 wheel dive 95 % of the time unless you only go off roading everyday. But the HONDA has done everything I need to do off road as well and was great on the dirt roads in Big Bend Texas. Ridgeline is safer and a better ride with unibody construction. Tailgate and trunk storage is VERY useful. Last, seating position is far better in the front and the back seat in the Ridgeline
I was in the market for a smaller truck for years. The entirety of that time, I was all about the Frontier...until I test drove a Ridgeline. Schedule a drive, and the decision practically makes itself
Great comparison video...only wish he’d have brought up the fact thT the ridgeline parts are 50% larger Then the pilot...I have a love hate relationship with the ridgeline! New one is a great Truck can’t wait to see the next generation...if they make a type R ...if if if
Thanks for sharing your video and as a former Honda salesman I can tell you the Tacoma would always outsell the Ridgeline because for some reason people wanted a truck and they always felt like the Ridgeline was just a car frame with a truck bed combined and they never like that for hardcore truck enthusiasts
I have driven both. I am 6’ 4” and the Tacoma is quite uncomfortable on a long trip or as a daily driver. The seat profile in the Tacoma is just too low. I’ll take the Ridgeline. If I need more off road quality I can take a ATV.
I really debated between these two vehicles but I found that the Ridgeline was a better fit for my typical everyday needs. If I lived in a desert area, I would probably end up with the Tacoma. Both great trucks, but one will fit you better for how you typically use it. The in-bed trunk and folding rear seats in the Ridgeline make it pretty versatile for everyday chores (I keep all the stuff I hardly need (e.g. jumpers) in the trunk, and the back seats are almost always folded up to put things that I've bought) and the height is a little easier to get in-and-out-of for my wife. The higher towing capacity of the Tacoma will make a big difference if you are planning on getting a boat, etc. Great video!
I can assure you you don’t need a Tacoma if you live in the desert. The Ridgeline is capable for off-roading. Besides, 80% of truck owners don’t utilize trucks for it’s purpose and don’t know nothing about off-roading. My 1st gen Ridgeline never let me down and have pulled Tacoma’s and Jeeps stuck in the mud.
I own an old ridgeline and really like it. The storage options and comfort are off the charts! The only thing I'm sad about is lack of aftermarket off road upgrades and customizations. But I'm able to keep all my gear close and accessible and love it's flexible capability.
i have 2014 Tacoma 4drs. bought it for $34k.. it value now is 26K. it's like buying a block of GOLD. the Tacoma hold it used value very well. very reliable also.. looking to get another one.. Tacoma trd PRO is next
I've owned several pickup trucks over the past 30 years. The most recent truck I sold was a Ford F350 diesel 4x4 that I used to tow a heavy fifth wheel camper. Each vehicle I've owned was a tool to do a job. I only bought that diesel, for example, because it was big, heavy, and had massive torque. Those are things you want when towing a big trailer and it performed that specific job flawlessly. Because that's what it was designed for. When I wasn't towing the fifth wheel the truck wasn't doing what it was really designed for and it was terrible at everything else. Terrible at driving without a full load due to the stiff suspension, terrible at parking, terrible on forest roads, terrible in the snow, terrible ride quality on bumpy dirt roads, and very expensive to work on when things broke. My Tacoma was far more reliable and easier to park in the city but it rode like a brick too. But hey, it was also a tool that I needed because I wanted to do some hard-core wheeling on the weekends. This truck is regarded by most people as the best off-road pickup there is and with good reason. IF you want to do serious off-roading. I didn't mind the fact that it had a terrible factory stereo, didn't ride very well, had a cramped interior, no storage, somewhat dated looks, (though not as bad as the Frontier), and had a lot of road noise. These days I have ATV's and dirt bikes to go off-road with and the Ridgeline tows my 4,000-pound trailer full of toys like butter thanks to the nearly 300 HP and 9-speed transmission. So now all I care about is having a truck bed to get stuff at the local hardware store once a month (like most people) and one with a quiet interior, a really nice stereo, a plush ride like a Cadillac, great passing power, reliability, and really good gas mileage. All of those boxes were ticked when I test drove the 2020 Ridgeline. I bought this truck after test driving the 2020 Ranger, Colorado, and Tacoma. I felt the Ridgeline interior was substantially wider (it is, by 4") and the overall ride quality and road noise were FAR better than the competition. (no contest) But the truck "trunk" was the number one selling point for me though because I like to carry a lot of gear in the truck and don't want to worry about it getting stolen. We all know thieves will break in if they see any gear in the backseat. They'll also break into truck toolboxes really easily. But most people don't even know the Ridgeline truck trunk exists. It's under the bed by the tailgate, and it's massive. I keep 2 motorcycle helmets, a pair of jackets, 2 pairs of gloves, riding boots, tie-down straps, a hiking backpack full of gear, 4 hiking poles, a tackle box, and 2 fishing rods in that trunk and lock it then close the tailgate. People walk by the truck, see nothing in the bed, nothing in the seats, and move on. Call it a truck, call it a car with a bed, I don't care. I wouldn't attempt to do any serious off-roading in this vehicle but I can say it handles snow and mud on forest roads and mountain trails really well and I've never gotten stuck. As far as what I want from a truck nowadays, there's just nothing else on the road that comes close to this Ridgeline. It does everything it was designed to do VERY well. Do like I did, right before you buy the truck you think you want, test drive the Ridgeline. It will change your mind. That's what happened to me. LOL
Watchout folks......Penvon is here to acknowledge that she/he is a tough dude. You can tell she/he is a tough dude by hers/his second grade level comment......
I think I will be getting one of these for my City/highway driving truck. When I need to pull, or Haul - I can use my Tundra. Great Review - very informative.
Tundra is a amazing truck I still like the first generation and second I believe that crew cab unbeatable the newer ones you have to lift them just so they look good cost as much as a Tacoma might as well spend the extra for the power of that V8
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but the reason that the Tacoma has the seating position that it does is because the frame rails and body is about 2 inches higher off the ground than comparable trucks (I check it against a Colorado with a laser range finder) ...take a close look at it next time you see one, you'll see what I mean...and this is done to keep all the mechanical bits, and body parts high off the ground for a high level of average ground clearance. It makes for an amazing off-road feature, but unless you know what you are looking for it doesn't make a lot of sense. Also as a note about engine power, if you graph the GM engines and the Toyota engine next to each other you find they are pretty much on par, the exception is that the GM motor revs out more so it makes more peak power, but its not really more powerful up until that peak. Honda is in the same boat, The Japanese prefer to keep revs down for longevity, which is something consumers expect.
I'm pretty much decided on a Ridgeline next year. Got to drive one for a week, and it sold me. And I'm a Taco fanatic of almost a decade now. If I lived purely in the sticks with no kids, it would still be the Taco. I could drive my own happy self and take it mudding. But I don't. I live in a world with Kids that need to be driven to school, and jobs to be commuted to in traffic. And I still need to haul dirt bikes, jet skis, hay bails, and a small camper trailer. If I had to pick just one vehicle to do everything today, it would be the Ridgeline. For the base price of the AWD Sport at $33k, I get everything I need to cover a winter-capable sedan, SUV, & Truck. If I tried to do the same with a new Taco off the lot, I would bleed money out of my eyeballs once all the options were added up. Pretty close to $38k. The only thing that might beat it in my mind would be if the 2.8L diesel Hilux was finally available in the US.
Why don't they bring the Hilux here!? Only reason that I can think of is it would kill the American ones lol calm down diesel guys I'm not meaning the full size ones have you heard the or cylinder diesel in the Colorado/ canyon?
Choosing which is better is an impossible question to answer simply because these are two totally different vehicles for two very different audiences. One’s a truck and one really isn’t a complete truck and they have two different purposes. It depends on the person buying it like was said. If I had more “truck work” to do than just the casual hauling around of lightweight stuff and preferred a more comfy ride, then the Honda clearly wins. If I’m more work oriented and and off-road freak with a “I want to go anywhere” attitude, then the whole world knows the Tacoma is the only choice for most.
I just bought a TRD PRO Tacoma and I can tell you that the FOX Suspension makes all the difference Off Road especially at higher speeds over rough terrain. I have also taken the TRD PRO on steep, rocky and deep rut terrain and was totally amazed with the crawl control features. I would never have taken a Ridgeline on that type of Terrain for clearance reasons if nothing else.
Put a fox suspension on any vehicle it does amazing I don't get me wrong four-wheel drive is great all-wheel-drive I don't prefer but it all depends on your taste
I have a 2006 Ridgeline and absolutely love it! The best vehicle I have ever had. I like the old styling better. It looks more rugged than the newer model.
My perfect Truck would be a Toyota Tacoma with a Honda Ridgeline V-tect engine and leather interior. On 2nd thought it would be great to own a Ridgeline with a Tacoma suspension and drive train.
Saw a recent review with the Ridgline, Titan and Tacoma driving on a common dirtroad and after 20 miles the offroad Tacoma and Titan's shocks failed... the Ridgline suffered 1 Failed shock as a stock vehicle!!!
well, not to be a snob but I have the upgraded off road package on my Tacoma and I drive off road a lot (mine is a 2wd only model so I am limited somewhat) but Ive hadmy truck since 2013 and haven't had any suspension problems. I have only had to replace a battery and replace tires. that is it (other than oil changes)
Hi Everyone I own a 2017 Ridgeline. The ride, the feel, the maintenance free, just regular oil changes, etc, etc. I haul a small travel trailer, 3000 lbs unloaded with two people, and a car top carrier, handles like a dream, Go to Florida every year from northern Ontario. Get about 21 to 28 litres per 100 kl, (16 to 10mpg) depending on straight or mountainous areas and of course speed I am driving. Rides so smooth that the speed creeps up on you and end up towing at 75 to 80 MPH. Which is way too fast. That’s why mileage falls so fast. Normal mileage is 8.9 to 12 L/100km ( 32 to 24 mpg depending on speed etc. Overall very pleased with this truck and would buy again in a heartbeat. Loving it. Way to go Honda.
I like the resale of the Taco - I know that will always be there. But I don't offroad anymore. I'm too old for that crap. I need something that drives nice, I can throw the dogs in back, haul a couple kayaks, run errands (pick up a tv or fridge, run crap to the recycling center, etc) and drive off the beaten path for some fishing without getting stuck. I have a couple Honda CR-V's that have worked out great. I think Ridgeline is a better fit but I like the reliability that the Taco brings with it's tried and true design. I think it's probably best to say I can't go wrong, drive them both and pick whichever is more comfortable for my big 6'5" frame. Thanks for all the info.
A matter of taste, but change the front end on the Ridgeline. Second, and I think a much more generally agreed upon issue, the spare. Honda should provide a full size spare, not a big donut. Otherwise, a great truck.
Stephen Smith First, the Ridgeline lacks clearance, steel underbody protection, and most importantly for a 4x4, LOW range. Therefore many people say the Honda is not a truck. Finally, it's a unibody construction instead of body on frame.
Omar is Rad what's so bad about uni body. And most of the other stuff seems off road oriented and in that respect there are much better trucks but more so I was thinking work trucks and things like that or maybe for long distance trips.
Stephen Smith nothing is bad about a unibody. And yes most stuff that I mentioned are off road related and is what most people would see in a truck. At least the people that believe "a real truck is body on frame". The Ridgeline has a versatile bed, more innovative than the Tacoma. Also the Ridgeline is built for road comfort in mind. So great for the long road
I'm almost ready to replace my full size truck and I'm stepping down in size for various reasons. I've driven everything besides the new Ranger and the Ridgeline impressed me the most. I guess it's because I really didn't expect much from it but it actually over delivered on my expectations. It's definitely not my Ram 5.7L 4x4 but if you don't need the size, power or capability of a full sized truck, the ridgeline is a solid contender. You just have to look past the car type front end.
I'm on my 2nd Ridgeline and really wanted a change to the Tacoma but the seating position is a deal breaker for me. I can't believe they haven't reconfigured it to resolve that.
Great review...but you copped out in the end for not calling a winner for a comparo. Dude all comparo has a winner!! Anyway, thanks for a detailed review 👍
