2026 Honda Ridgeline vs. the Competition

Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a hybrid driveline, the Toyota offers something unique in the mid-size pickup truck segment. Available in two cab types, The Tacoma comes with rear or four-wheel drive, along with a choice of a manual gearbox on select models or an automatic transmission. There is a wide choice of eleven trim levels available.

• The Ridgeline V6 has more horsepower than the standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine on the Tacoma (280 horsepower vs. 278). 
• The standard nine-speed automatic transmission on the Ridgeline beats the Tacoma’s available eight-speed automatic with more ratio options, along with a more logical and precise push-button shifter than the knob used in the Toyota. 
• All 2026 Ridgeline models come standard with the i-TVM4 all-wheel drive. The Tacoma comes with two-wheel drive standard with their four-wheel drive systems optional. 
• Ridgeline’s unitized body construction and composite steel bed ensure strength and rigidity no matter what you do with it. As with a lot of body-on-frame pickup trucks, expect the Tacoma’s frame to flex at and beyond limits.
• Overall cab headroom is better in the Ridgeline than in the Tacoma. Up front, Ridgline offers 40.1 inches of headroom compared to the Toyota’s 39.7 inches. In the rear, the Honda provides 38.8 inches vs. the Tacoma’s 38.4 inches.

The demand for pickup trucks has not been lost at Hyundai, who responded to demand with a unique design incorporating unitized construction and some innovative rear storage solutions, such as a tonneau cover. There is a choice of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged version of that engine, along with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and a choice of front – or all-wheel drive.

• The Santa Cruz’s standard four-cylinder engine is potent but can’t match the grunt of the Ridgeline’s standard V-6, as the Honda provides 280 horsepower compared to 191 in the Hyundai. 
• The standard nine-speed automatic transmission on the Ridgeline beats the Santa Cruz’s standard eight-speed automatic with more ratio options.
• All 2026 Ridgeline models come standard with i-TVM4 all-wheel drive. The Santa Cruz is equipped with front-wheel drive as standard equipment and offers an optional all-wheel drive system. 
• With the standard engine, the Ridgeline’s 1,583-pound payload capacity bests the Santa Cruz’s payload by over 100 pounds.

One of the original small pickup trucks available in this country has grown to be a strong choice for both work and recreational uses. A standard 3.8-liter V-6 is coupled to a nine-speed automatic transmission eventually sending power to the rear- or all four wheels. The Frontier offers a choice of cab and bed types, along with five trim levels: S, SV, Dark Armor, PRO-X, and PRO-4X.

• Ridgeline’s unitized body construction and composite steel bed ensure strength and rigidity but also a composed, comfortable ride quality over broken road surfaces. Expect Frontier’s body-on-frame construction to deliver a less composed ride, more akin to – well, a traditional pickup truck.
• All 2026 Ridgeline models come standard with the i-TVM4 all-wheel drive. The Frontier comes with two-wheel drive standard with an optional four-wheel drive system.
• When it comes to standard payload, the Ridgeline is practically neck-and-neck with the Frontier.
• Comparing rear legroom between the two Crew Cabs, the Honda comes ahead with 36.7 inches compared to the Nissan’s 33.2.
• Where Honda leads in the midsize pickup truck class is in versatility. The Ridgeline comes standard with an in-bed trunk and a two-way tailgate. These are features not found on the Frontier – or elsewhere in the segment.

Ford’s mid-size pickup truck has been around since 1982, although the current ideation has been on the market since 2023.  Based off the Ranger sold in other markets around the globe, today’s Ranger offers a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder and two V-6 engines with an automatic transmission sending power to either the rear or all four wheels. It comes in XL, XLT, Lariat, and Raptor.

• Ford gave Ranger a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine, However, its power figures do not match the Ridgeline’s standard V-6. The Honda offers 280 horsepower compared to 270 in the Ford. 
• All 2026 Ridgeline models are equipped with i-TVM4 all-wheel drive. The Ranger comes with two-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. 
• Ridgeline’s unitized body construction and composite steel bed ensure strength and rigidity but also a composed, comfortable ride quality over broken road surfaces. Expect Ranger’s body-on-frame construction to deliver a less composed ride, more akin to – well, a traditional pickup truck.
• Where the Honda leads in the midsize pickup truck class is its versatility. The Ridgeline comes standard with an in-bed trunk and a two-way tailgate. These are features that are not found on the Ranger.
• Comparing rear legroom between the two Crew Cabs, the Honda comes ahead with 36.7 inches compared to the Ford’s 34.5.