Tacoma vs. Ridgeline: Which midsize pickup is better for 2024–2025?

The Toyota Tacoma is better if you need maximum off-road capability, higher towing/payload potential, and broad configurations; the Honda Ridgeline is better if you prioritize on-road comfort, a car-like ride, clever bed storage, and everyday usability. Both are excellent, but they serve different missions—your choice should follow how you’ll actually use the truck.

What these trucks are and how they differ

Toyota’s Tacoma was fully redesigned for 2024 with new turbocharged powertrains, a hybrid option, and serious off-road and overlanding trims. Honda’s Ridgeline, refreshed for 2024 with updated tech and the TrailSport off-road-flavored trim, remains a unibody pickup that behaves more like a refined crossover with an open bed. Understanding their fundamental approach helps clarify which is “better” for your needs.

Key differences at a glance

The following points summarize the biggest distinctions shoppers will notice when comparing Tacoma and Ridgeline face to face.

• Platform: Tacoma is body-on-frame (more traditional truck), Ridgeline is unibody (shared architecture with the Honda Pilot).
• Powertrains: Tacoma offers multiple tunes of a 2.4L turbo four and an available hybrid; Ridgeline uses a 3.5L V6 with standard AWD.
• Capability: Tacoma can tow up to about 6,500 lbs and offers specialized off-road hardware; Ridgeline tows up to 5,000 lbs and focuses on stability and comfort.
• Ride and handling: Ridgeline’s independent rear suspension delivers the smoothest ride in the class; Tacoma is much improved for 2024 but remains more trucklike.
• Bed and utility: Ridgeline features a unique in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate; Tacoma counters with multiple bed lengths and available high-output onboard power.
• Price and trims: Tacoma spans a wide range from work-truck to halo off-roader; Ridgeline starts better equipped but at a higher base price.

Taken together, these differences explain why the Tacoma appeals to buyers who need traditional truck strength and off-road prowess, while the Ridgeline excels as a daily-driver pickup with standout practicality.

Performance and capability

Powertrains and efficiency

Both trucks deliver enough power for commuting and weekend projects, but they get there differently.

• Tacoma engines: 2.4L turbo-four in various outputs, culminating in the i-Force Max hybrid (around 326 hp and 465 lb-ft) on select trims; 8-speed automatic is common, with a 6-speed manual available on a few grades.
• Tacoma mpg (approx.): non-hybrid models typically land around 21–23 mpg combined depending on drivetrain and trim; hybrids are in the low-to-mid 20s combined, with off-road trims slightly lower due to tires/weight.
• Ridgeline engine: 3.5L V6 (about 280 hp, 262 lb-ft) with a 9-speed automatic and standard torque-vectoring AWD.
• Ridgeline mpg (EPA): roughly 21 mpg combined (about 18 city/24 highway), varying slightly by trim and tires.

If you want brawny low-end torque and the option for a hybrid, the Tacoma leads. If you prefer a smooth V6 and standard AWD with predictable economy, the Ridgeline keeps it simple.

Towing, payload, and bed utility

Capability goes beyond power; towing, payload, and utility features matter for real-world truck tasks.

• Tacoma towing/payload: up to about 6,500 lbs towing and around 1,700 lbs payload when properly equipped, with multiple axle ratios and cooling packages tailored to trims.
• Ridgeline towing/payload: up to 5,000 lbs towing and around 1,500 lbs payload, sufficient for small boats, campers, and weekend materials.
• Tacoma bed options: two bed lengths (5- or 6-foot) on Double Cab models; available integrated rail systems; and an available high-output AC inverter (up to 2,400W on hybrid models) for tools and camping.
• Ridgeline bed innovations: standard in-bed trunk (about 7 cu ft) that locks and can double as a cooler, plus a dual-action tailgate that swings open or drops down for easier loading.

The Tacoma better suits heavier towing and payload needs; the Ridgeline’s trunk and tailgate make everyday hauling and tailgating unusually convenient.

Off-road ability and on-road manners

How and where you drive should heavily influence your decision.

• Tacoma off-road: trims like TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter add all-terrain tires, skid plates, advanced traction systems, optional coil-sprung rear suspension (on certain off-road trims), available stabilizer-bar disconnect, and a low-range transfer case.
• Ridgeline off-pavement: TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, unique tuning, and added underbody protection, but there’s no low range; Honda’s torque-vectoring AWD is excellent on dirt, snow, and mild trails.
• Ride quality: Ridgeline’s independent suspension and unibody structure deliver class-leading ride and handling on pavement; Tacoma’s 2024 redesign narrows the gap but remains more ruggedly tuned.

For rock crawling or overlanding, the Tacoma is the clear winner. For daily commuting, long trips, and occasional dirt roads, the Ridgeline is more comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

Interior, tech, and safety

Both trucks now offer modern cabins with big screens and comprehensive safety suites, though their approaches differ.

• Tacoma tech: Toyota’s latest infotainment with a standard 8-inch or available 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, trail cameras on off-road trims, and available digital gauge clusters.
• Ridgeline tech: a refreshed cabin with a 9-inch touchscreen that’s quicker than prior years, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and available wireless phone charging; the layout emphasizes simplicity and storage.

• Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 and Honda Sensing are standard, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and traffic sign recognition (feature details vary by trim).
• Space and comfort: Ridgeline’s rear seat is notably adult-friendly, with wide door openings and excellent ride comfort; Tacoma’s 2024 cabin is more ergonomic than before, but rear space is a bit tighter.

If you want the biggest available screen and trail-focused camera tech, Tacoma charms. If you value an easy-to-use cabin with generous rear-seat comfort, Ridgeline stands out.

Ownership: price, reliability, and resale

Total cost of ownership depends on purchase price, reliability, fuel, and resale value—all areas where these brands have strong reputations.

• Pricing: Tacoma’s range is wide, from work-oriented trims in the low $30Ks to off-road halo models cresting $60K; Ridgeline starts better equipped, typically around the low $40Ks and runs to the high $40Ks.
• Reliability: Both Toyota and Honda have strong records; the Tacoma’s simple, proven truck formula and the Ridgeline’s Honda engineering both bode well for long-term durability.
• Resale value: Tacoma traditionally leads the class in residuals; Ridgeline holds value well for a unibody pickup but typically trails Tacoma’s exceptionally strong resale.
• Warranty: Both offer a 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty; Tacoma hybrids add extended hybrid-component coverage (battery coverage longer in CARB states).

Expect the Tacoma to cost less to own in terms of depreciation, especially on popular off-road trims, while the Ridgeline’s higher entry price buys more standard comfort features.

Which should you buy?

Choose the Toyota Tacoma if you value:

These buyer priorities align best with the Tacoma’s strengths and options.

• Serious off-road performance and aftermarket support.
• Higher towing/payload and multiple bed lengths/configurations.
• A hybrid option with strong torque and available high-output onboard power.
• Top-tier resale and a broad trim spectrum from work to adventure.

In short, the Tacoma is the more traditional, do-more truck—especially if your weekends are spent on trails or towing toys.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if you value:

If you primarily commute, road-trip, and handle light-to-moderate hauling, these advantages make the Ridgeline compelling.

• The smoothest ride and most car-like handling in the segment.
• Excellent everyday practicality with a locking in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate.
• Standard AWD confidence without 4×4 complexity.
• A quiet, comfortable cabin with generous rear-seat space.

Bottom line: the Ridgeline is the better truck for people who live on pavement but still want real pickup utility and foul-weather traction.

Verdict

There isn’t a single “better” truck—there’s a better truck for your life. Pick the Tacoma for off-road focus, towing headroom, customization, and resale strength. Pick the Ridgeline for unmatched ride comfort, simple AWD confidence, clever bed storage, and daily-driver ease. If you’re split, test-drive both on the roads and tasks you do most; the differences reveal themselves quickly.

Summary

Tacoma equals rugged capability, options, and resale; Ridgeline equals comfort, practicality, and user-friendly tech. Choose based on whether your priority is trail and tow or commute and comfort—each is “better” in its own arena.

Why are Honda Ridgelines not selling?

Honda Ridgelines aren’t selling well because of their high price compared to competitors, limited towing and off-road capabilities due to their unibody construction, an outdated V6 engine lacking modern efficiency and torque, and a lack of innovative features or a hybrid option, making it a less compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers and truck enthusiasts compared to redesigned and more capable rivals.
 
High Price Point 

• Expensive: The Ridgeline’s starting price is significantly higher than competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.
• Overpriced Perception: This high cost, even for base models, makes buyers feel it’s not a good value, especially when competitors offer more for less.

Limited Capability

• Unibody Construction: The Ridgeline’s unibody frame, shared with the Honda Pilot, gives it a car-like ride but sacrifices towing and off-road performance, which are critical for truck buyers. 
• Lower Towing/Payload: Its towing and payload capacities are less than body-on-frame competitors, making it unsuitable for many heavy-duty truck tasks. 

Outdated Powertrain 

• Aging V6 Engine: . Opens in new tabThe Ridgeline uses the same V6 engine it has had for many years, which now feels outdated compared to the newer, more powerful, and more efficient turbocharged engines in rivals.
• Lack of Modern Torque: . Opens in new tabThe naturally aspirated V6 lacks the immediate torque of modern turbocharged engines, leading to a less engaging driving and towing experience.

Stagnant Innovation

• Lack of Hybrid Option: Honda hasn’t offered a hybrid option for the Ridgeline, a feature found in successful rivals like the Ford Maverick that appeals to fuel-conscious buyers. 
• Conservative Approach: Honda has taken a conservative approach, failing to keep up with aggressive redesigns and advanced technology seen in competitors like the Tacoma and Ranger. 
• Lack of Off-Road Appeal: The Ridgeline doesn’t offer the beefier aesthetics and real off-road features that drive success for some competitors. 

Market Positioning 

• Niche Product: The Ridgeline is positioned as a niche product, failing to capture the broader market of traditional truck buyers who prioritize power, capability, and ruggedness.
• Stalled Evolution: Its failure to evolve with market demands has turned a potentially unique and comfortable offering into a sales flop.

Which is a better truck, Toyota Tacoma or Honda Ridgeline?

Both of these agile trucks seem suitable for daily driving and rugged tasks, but the Toyota Tacoma, with its proper body-on-frame truck build, does everything better. That includes towing, payload, power, and off-roading. Even where the car-like unibody-construction Ridgeline should win, it doesn’t.

Why does the Ridgeline beat the Tacoma?

Ridgeline is more comfortable and more fuel efficient, definitely makes a better road tripper. Tacoma however is more capable, better in snow and off road, and can haul a little more due to being a Body-On-Frame and not Unibody like a Ridgeline. The Tacoma has Part-Time 4×4 on Demand, the Ridgeline is AWD (I think?)

What is the most common problem with a Honda Ridgeline?

Top Honda Ridgeline Problems

• Software Update Will Fix Problem When Shifting into Fourth Gear.
• Tailgate Will Not Open Because Sensor Rod is Too Long.
• Noise and Judder on Turns Due to Differential Fluid Breakdown.
• Poor Connection in Antenna Harness May Cause Static When Going Over Bumps.
• Check Engine and D4 Lights Flashing.