Compare the2026 Honda RidgelineVS 2025 Toyota Tacoma

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Ridgeline deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Ridgeline’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Tacoma’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ridgeline. But it costs extra on the Tacoma.

The Ridgeline has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Tacoma’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ridgeline has standard Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Tacoma.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Ridgeline uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Tacoma uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Ridgeline and the Tacoma have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Ridgeline	Tacoma
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	104	248
Neck Injury Risk	27%	42.8%
Neck Stress	166 lbs.	456 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	35 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	41/39 lbs.	290/453 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	168	252
Neck Injury Risk	32%	64%
Neck Stress	121 lbs.	339 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	154/511 lbs.	461/454 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

	Ridgeline	Tacoma
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	38 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

The engine in the Ridgeline has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Tacoma have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ridgeline’s reliability 30 points higher than the Tacoma.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

Engine

The Ridgeline’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 52 more horsepower (280 vs. 228) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 243) than the Tacoma SR’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Ridgeline’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (280 vs. 270) than the Tacoma’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Ridgeline’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 2 more horsepower (280 vs. 278) than the Tacoma’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Ridgeline is faster than the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Ridgeline	Tacoma
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.2 MPH	90.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Ridgeline’s fuel efficiency. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Ridgeline has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tacoma (19.5 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ridgeline has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Ridgeline has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Tacoma. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Ridgeline, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Tacoma.

Brakes and Stopping

The Ridgeline stops much shorter than the Tacoma:

	Ridgeline	Tacoma
70 to 0 MPH	180 feet	196 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	154 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Ridgeline’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tacoma’s standard 70 series tires. The Ridgeline’s tires are lower profile than the Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport/Limited’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ridgeline has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tacoma.

The Ridgeline has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tacoma doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Ridgeline has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Ridgeline has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ridgeline flat and controlled during cornering. The Tacoma SR/XtraCab suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Ridgeline uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Tacoma SR/XtraCab, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Ridgeline has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tacoma doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Ridgeline Sport handles at .80 G’s, while the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ridgeline Black Edition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab (27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

The Ridgeline is 1 foot, 4 inches shorter than the Tacoma 6-ft. bed Double Cab, making the Ridgeline easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the Ridgeline’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Tacoma doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Ridgeline uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Tacoma doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Ridgeline has 12.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tacoma (109.7 vs. 97).

The front step up height for the Ridgeline is 3.6 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab (20.1” vs. 23.7”). The Ridgeline’s rear step up height is 4.3 inches lower than the Tacoma Double Cab’s (20.2” vs. 24.5”).

Cargo Capacity

The Ridgeline’s cargo box is larger than the Tacoma’s in almost every dimension:

	Ridgeline	Tacoma XtraCab	Tacoma Double Cab
Length (short/long)	64”	73.5”	60.3”/73.5”
Max Width	60”	56.4”	56.4”
Min Width	50”	44.7”	44.7”
Height	16.9”	20.2”	20.2”

Payload and Towing

The Ridgeline’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tacoma’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Ridgeline has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 (1583 vs. 1380 lbs.).

The Ridgeline has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Tacoma (1583 vs. 1495 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 23% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tacoma doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Ridgeline’s standard Smart Entry allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the tailgate, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the Tacoma doesn’t offer a sensor on the tailgate or any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle. Smart Key is not available on the Tacoma SR5/PreRunner/TRD/Limited/Trailhunter.

When the Ridgeline RTL/Black Edition is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tacoma’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Ridgeline offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Tacoma’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the Ridgeline and the Tacoma offer available heated front seats. The Ridgeline Black Edition also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tacoma.

The Ridgeline has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Ridgeline has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Tacoma and isn’t available on the Tacoma SR/SR5.

The Ridgeline’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Tacoma SR doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Ridgeline and the Tacoma offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Ridgeline has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tacoma doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Ridgeline has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Tacoma and isn’t available on the Tacoma SR/SR5/PreRunner.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Ridgeline, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota Tacoma isn't recommended.

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