A pretty strong case could be made for 2018 being the year the mid-size pickup truck class has reached a new peak. There are several strong options on the market, but the Toyota Tacoma still offers more than a few reasons for owners to make it their first choice. Comparing the 2018 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2018 Honda Ridgeline produces a few clear conclusions in very short order. First, there is no replacing the rugged body-on-frame construction of the 2018 Tacoma. The midsize Toyota pickup offers more hauling and towing capacity than the current Ridgeline thanks to how it's built. Honda has chosen to use a vehicle architecture that is similar to how crossover SUVs are made, which has some points in its favor, but not where capability is concerned.
For the new model year, Toyota has added its cutting-edge suite of safety features to the new Tacoma platform. This means that sensors to let drivers know they are drifting from their lane or may be in danger of hitting a pedestrian are standard equipment on every available trim grade. Additionally, the 2018 Tacoma has more than 30 different trim grade, drivetrain/powertrain and cabin combinations to choose from. Heritage Toyota customers will be able to choose the exact level of capability they need to meet their needs. Honda Ridgeline buyers have several trims to choose from, but the body style and powertrain choices are severely limited by comparison. Finally, the 2018 Toyota Tacoma can be outfitted with several professional-grade components.
2018 Toyota Tacoma |
vs |
2018 Honda Ridgeline |
3.5-liter, V-6 |
Engine |
3.5-liter, V-6 |
278/265 |
Horsepower/Torque |
280/262 |
Six-speed automatic |
Transmission |
Six-speed automatic |
6,800 lbs. |
Towing |
5,000 lbs. |
Another reason truck buyers may want to consider the 2018 Toyota Tacoma over the 2018 Honda Ridgeline would be the available engine choices. Heritage Toyota customers considering the 2018 Tacoma can have either a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter, V-6. The four-cylinder option offers great fuel economy scores and the V-6 makes lots of power and can be equipped with everything it needs to maximize towing capacity. A Honda Ridgeline owner may tout the slim horsepower advantage offered by its V-6 engine, but that minuscule lead evaporates quickly when the more than half-ton of additional towing capacity attributed to the new Tacoma is revealed.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.
Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?