2026 Honda Ridgeline Vs. 2026 Toyota Tacoma: 4 Major Differences

Battle of the Japanese midsize pickups

Toyota and Honda are close competitors in many segments, but their midsize pickup trucks could hardly be more different. From powertrains to their driving demeanors and their underpinnings, the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline appeal to distinctly unique buyers. On the sales charts, there's no contest: the Tacoma easily outsells the Ridgeline. That doesn't mean the Toyota has the upper hand in every respect, though. We dug deeper to uncover three major differences between these pickup trucks in 2026.

1. Unibody Vs. Body-on-Frame Underpinnings

This difference in the Toyota Tacoma vs Honda Ridgeline comparison is the most significant, as it impacts many other aspects of each truck. The Honda shares its car-based unibody platform with crossovers like the Pilot, while the Toyota is a body-on-frame pickup. These different platforms give the two trucks a completely different feel-and varying levels of capability.

The Honda shines on normal roads, where it feels smooth, refined, and easy to maneuver. It drives as well as many other crossovers, an impression that's bolstered by the smooth V6 engine. While the latest Tacoma is more refined than previous iterations, it's not as settled as the Ridgeline on the highway. But the Toyota is a much better off-roader, thanks in part to its more rugged frame. It can also tow up to 6,500 pounds, whereas the Ridgeline maxes out at 5,000 lbs.

If you want a pickup that's more pleasant to live with on a daily basis, the Honda wins. But the Toyota is more capable at towing and off-roading, especially if you choose one of the TRD trims.

Related: There Are Four Toyota Tacoma TRD Trims-Which One Should You Buy?

2. Toyota Offers an Extra Cab Style

The Honda Ridgeline is only available as a Crew Cab with a single bed size of 5.3 feet. There's more variety in the Tacoma lineup, which comes as a two-door XtraCab or four-door Double Cab. The Toyota's bed size is either five or six feet, but only the Double Cab is offered with the smaller bed.

The Tacoma XtraCab makes for a solid and more affordable workhorse. It starts at $32,245, far cheaper than the base Ridgeline ($40,795). In the XtraCab, you get useful, covered storage behind the front seats, and the passenger-side front seat can fold flat for better storage or to function as a work desk.

The Tacoma Double Cab can't match the Ridgeline for rear-seat interior space, though. The Toyota has 33.7 inches of rear legroom to the Honda's 36.7. There's also more shoulder room in the Ridgeline, so it's much more comfortable for three passengers at the back.

3. Ridgeline Vs. Tacoma Powertrans: V6 Power Vs. Turbo-Four

There are major differences under the hoods of these pickup trucks. Honda favors smooth, effortless V6 power, while Toyota has gone the turbocharged four-cylinder route with the latest Tacoma. There's also a hybrid version of the Tacoma, so once again, it offers more choice than the Ridgeline. Here's how the powertrains compare.

Despite a much smaller turbo engine, the Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid are only slightly more economical than the Ridgeline. The most powerful non-hybrid Tacoma can get to 60 mph in around seven seconds, which is actually quicker than some of the off-road-oriented Tacoma Hybrid models, despite those having much more power.

In terms of sheer speed, the Tacoma vs Ridgeline comparison is won by the Honda. The Ridgeline will outsprint any Tacoma. It can get to 60 mph in six seconds, again asserting its dominance on normal roads. But the Honda is no match for the Tacoma Trailhunter or TRD Pro, which have more robust suspensions and sophisticated off-road gear for handling rough terrain.

Related: These Are the Most Reliable Mid-Size Trucks Right Now-And One Big Name Falls Short

4. The Toyota Easily Outsells The Honda

If you compare the Honda Ridgeline to the Toyota Tacoma based on sales alone, there's no question what America's favorite midsize pickup truck is. In the first quarter of 2026, Toyota sold 69,263 Tacomas. Over the same period, Honda only sold 10,980 Ridgelines. Even considering the Toyota's lower price and broader lineup, this is an enormous gap.

There's been a sense for some time now that the Ridgeline is one of the country's most underrated vehicles. It's got the comfort of a Pilot or Passport, but adds the versatility of a bed at the back. For most people, it can tow and haul enough. For the smaller percentage of truck fans who actually go off-road, it can't match the Toyota, though.

Related: Toyota Tacoma Vs. Toyota Tundra: 5 Major Differences

Final Thoughts

There's no winner or loser in this comparison. No, we're not chickening out, but these two pickups are simply too different to declare one of them a clear winner. The Honda is much better for daily use thanks to its comfortable ride, responsive handling, and surprisingly quick acceleration. The interior is also noticeably more spacious, especially at the back.

The Toyota fights back with much cheaper workhorse trims, more accomplished off-road variants at the top of the range, and superior towing. It's better at managing the tough jobs expected of a pickup, but this is only relevant if you actually use it for those purposes. If you're merely looking for a more practical alternative to an SUV, though, we highly recommend considering the underrated Ridgeline.

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 2:45 PM.