2026 Honda Ridgeline vs. 2026 Toyota Tacoma

Truck Guider says the Tacoma dominates in Performance & Power with an 8.8 rating against the Ridgeline's 7.5, delivering robust low-end torque for hauling or climbing, while the Ridgeline secures an impressive 9.2 for On-Road Comfort, leaving the Tacoma's 7.0 behind, thanks to its unibody construction and independent rear suspension making for a ride that's smooth, quiet, and composed. Rensselaer Honda says the Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 pounds versus the Ridgeline's 5,000, and reaches up to 1,705 pounds of payload versus the Ridgeline's 1,583, while every Ridgeline includes standard i-VTM4 AWD versus the Tacoma's configuration-dependent RWD, part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD, with the Ridgeline's V6 producing 280 hp/262 lb-ft against the Tacoma's gas engine reaching up to 278 hp/317 lb-ft.

Which to choose, and why

Tacoma rated stronger for power, Ridgeline rated far more comfortable

Truck Guider (opens in a new tab) says the Tacoma dominates in Performance & Power with an 8.8 rating against the Ridgeline's 7.5, delivering robust low-end torque for hauling or climbing, while the Ridgeline secures an impressive 9.2 for On-Road Comfort, leaving the Tacoma's 7.0 behind, thanks to its unibody construction and independent rear suspension making for a ride that's smooth, quiet, and composed.

Tacoma tows and carries more; Ridgeline is standard AWD

Rensselaer Honda (opens in a new tab) says the Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 pounds versus the Ridgeline's 5,000, and reaches up to 1,705 pounds of payload versus the Ridgeline's 1,583, while every Ridgeline includes standard i-VTM4 AWD versus the Tacoma's configuration-dependent RWD, part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD, with the Ridgeline's V6 producing 280 hp/262 lb-ft against the Tacoma's gas engine reaching up to 278 hp/317 lb-ft.

Questions buyers ask

Which rides more comfortably, the Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma?

Truck Guider (opens in a new tab) says the Ridgeline, rated 9.2 for On-Road Comfort versus the Tacoma's 7.0.

Which can tow more, the Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma?

Rensselaer Honda (opens in a new tab) says the Tacoma, up to 6,500 pounds versus the Ridgeline's 5,000.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Honda Ridgeline: 2 records · Toyota Tacoma: 10 records.

Decision field	Honda Ridgeline	Toyota Tacoma
Exact EPA records	2	10
Model / option labels	2	6
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive	4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	3.5L 6-cyl SIDI	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; 2-mode (Power/Normal) TM, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; 2-mode(Power/Normal) TM, w/SS, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; 3-mode (Sport/Normal/Eco) TM, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; 3-mode (Sport/Normal/Eco) w/SS, +2 more
Transmissions	Automatic (S9)	Automatic (S8), Manual 6-spd
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD	Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Combined efficiency	20–21 MPG/MPGe	20–23 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3100–3250 per year	$2800–3250 per year

Head to head

Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Honda Ridgeline	Toyota Tacoma
Starting price (KBB base)	$42,290	$34,040
Top trim price (KBB base)	$49,390	$55,065
Horsepower	280 hp	228-278 hp
Torque	262 lb-ft	243-317 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,420-4,504 lb	4,375 lb
Length	210.2 in	213-226.2 in
Wheelbase	125.2 in	131.9-145.1 in
Towing capacity	5,000 lb	3,500-6,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	2-5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Toyota Tacoma starts $8,250 lower: $34,040 against $42,290 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Honda Ridgeline leads: 280 hp against 278 hp.
On peak torque, the Toyota Tacoma leads: 317 lb-ft against 262 lb-ft.
The Toyota Tacoma is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,375 lb against 4,420 lb.
On length, the Toyota Tacoma leads: 226.2 in against 210.2 in.
On wheelbase, the Toyota Tacoma leads: 145.1 in against 125.2 in.
On maximum towing capacity, the Toyota Tacoma leads: 6,500 lb against 5,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma.

2026 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured and marketed by Honda since the 2006 model year, over two generations in a unibody, crew–cab, short-box configuration with a transverse-mounted engine.

Awards: North American Car of the Year for 2006 and 2017. Canadian Car of the Year and Best New Pickup for 2006 MotorTrend's 2006 Truck of the Year Car and Driver's #1 mid-size truck for 2006, and 2017–2019 Autobytel's 2006 Truck of the Year Sobre Ruedas (On Wheels, a Latin American automotive magazine) 2005 Best Pick-up Truck Auto123.com's 2017 Pickup of the Year J.D.

Source: Honda Ridgeline (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Honda Ridgeline overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
May 2024, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Honda (America Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ridgeline vehicles. The rearview camera (RVC) tailgate wire harness may fatigue and break, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, most often about exterior lighting (25), electrical system (24), engine (20).

2026 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota since 1995. The first-generation Tacoma (model years 1995 through 2004) was classified as a compact pickup truck; subsequent models are classified as mid-size pickup trucks. The Tacoma was Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 2005.

Safety: The 2024 model year Tacoma crew-cab configuration was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS, but it did not receive the highest award as it has yet to be evaluated in the updated moderate overlap front test.

Source: Toyota Tacoma (Wikipedia)

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

August 2026, Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Tacoma Hybrid and 2024-2025 Tacoma vehicles. The metal flange on the front and rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external oil reservoir. Consequence: An oil reservoir that detaches can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
March 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid… Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
October 2025, Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break. Consequence: A broken driveshaft can impair steering. Vehicles with full-time 4WD may experience a vehicle rollaway while parked without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios increase the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, most often about structure (39), power train (20), steering (10).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Honda Ridgeline2 configurations →02 · 2026Toyota Tacoma10 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Honda Ridgeline or the 2026 Toyota Tacoma?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota Tacoma lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (21.5 vs. the 2026 Honda Ridgeline's 20.5 MPG/MPGe).