Toyota Tacoma Vs. Honda Ridgeline 2025 Truck Comparison
The demand for reliable midsize pickups is on the rise, and with options like the Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma on the market, competition is steep. These trucks can transition seamlessly from work to play – but only the Honda model delivers the best standard engine specs, towing, and seating.
If this is the year you buy or lease a new pickup, we're here to help with a detailed review of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma. Scroll down to scan the highlights each truck brings to the battle, or keep reading to explore the specs, MPG, dimensions, interiors, and safety features you'll find in the new Honda Ridgeline vs. Tacoma trims. When you're ready to see the Ridgeline yourself, visit us at Planet Honda NH.
Quick Summary
- The Honda truck has a dual-action tailgate and a lockable in-bed trunk, two features the Tacoma doesn't offer.
- The Honda Ridgeline delivers car-like handling and standard multi-link rear suspension; the Toyota truck finally fitted some of its 2025 trims with a multi-link rear suspension system, but the other half of the lineup still features the old leaf-spring hardware.
- You can take either truck off-roading with trail-worthy capabilities in select trims.
- Ridgeline trims give you higher standard horsepower, torque, and towing than the Tacoma; you'll need to pay a higher Toyota price to compete with the Ridgeline's standard specs.
What Are the Specs Differences Between the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma?
Let's launch this look at the new Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma with an overview of the specs. The 2025 Ridgeline is primed for performance across its four-trim lineup, giving you 280 horsepower and 5,000 pounds of tow strength1 with its 3.5-liter V-6. Four Intelligent Traction modes help you easily tackle snow, sand, and mud, and the multi-link rear suspension we mentioned above gives your truck a smoother ride quality than most models on the market.
The new Toyota Tacoma comes in six gas-powered trims, all fitted with the same 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that can't compete with the Ridgeline's horsepower or torque specs. Its base-model tow strength is an uninspiring 3,500 pounds,2 so it's necessary to spend more to bump up the strength. You'll also find an old-style leaf-spring suspension on some of the Tacoma trims, while others enjoy a higher-quality coil style.
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| 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport | 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V-6 | 2.4L inline-4 |
| Horsepower | 280 | 228 |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 243 lb-ft |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed ECT-i |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs1 | 3,500 lbs2 |
| EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy / Comb) | 18 / 24 / 213 | 20 / 26 / 234 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 19.5 gal | 18.2 gal |
| Fuel Type | Regular unleaded | Regular unleaded |
| Bed Tie-Down Capacity | 350 lbs1 | N / A |
| Dual-Action Tailgate | Standard | N / A |
| Wheelbase | 125.2 in | 131.9 in |
| Exterior Length / Width / Height | 210.2 / 78.6 / 70.8 in | 213 / 76.9 / 74 in |
| Maximum Bed Length / Width at Wheel Wells | 83 / 50 in | 73.5 / 53 in |
| Truck Bed Cargo Volume | 33.9 cu ft | N / A |
| In-Bed Trunk Volume | 7.3 cu ft | N / A |
| Wheel Size | 18 in | 17 in |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 2 |
How Does the Honda Ridgeline’s Fuel Efficiency Compare to the Toyota Tacoma’s?
Trucks can bleed your budget dry with poor fuel efficiency, but Honda engineers fitted all four Ridgeline trims with an Eco Assist System and Variable Cylinder Management to maximize your gas mileage. In fact, you'll get an EPA-estimated 24 MPG (Highway)3 in every Honda configuration. As for the Toyota Tacoma, its six gas-powered trims are similar to the Honda's highway MPG rating because it's fitted with a less powerful engine.
Which Truck Has a More Refined Design: the Ridgeline or the Tacoma?
The Honda even uses Active Noise Cancellation for a quieter cabin, gives you remote start for those cold winter mornings, and seats five passengers no matter which trim you take home. On the other hand, the 2025 Tacoma can only fit two people in its XtraCab design; you'll need to choose a Double Cab configuration to seat five.
Both the Toyota Tacoma vs. Honda Ridgeline provide truck-bed tie-downs to secure your tools and gear. The Honda Ridgeline tie-downs can comfortably hold 350 pounds, but unfortunately, Toyota engineers haven't disclosed the weight capacity of their in-bed anchors.
If you need flexible seating and storage, the Tacoma offers XtraCab or Double Cab styles and 5- or 6-foot bed lengths – but be aware that even though a Toyota trim with a 5-foot bed takes up more space on the street, the Honda Ridgeline bed is more thoughtfully designed with a secret in-bed trunk that locks and drains, a benefit the Toyota Tacoma can't match.
How Do the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma Compare in Long-Term Reliability?
Last but not least important in this Toyota Tacoma vs. Honda Ridgeline comparison is a look at each model's safety features and reliability scores. Honda designers didn't skimp in this category: All four Ridgeline trims come equipped with at least nine primary Honda Sensing features, plus a unibody frame for better absorption of any collision impacts.
In comparison, the 2025 Tacoma fits its trims with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a safety program that only gives you six standard driver-assist features. The Toyota has a less-impact-resistant body-on-frame design, and the base-model Tacoma SR doesn't even come with a standard Blind Spot Monitor, which is very surprising in today's automotive market.
According to RepairPal.com, the Honda Ridgeline has lower-than-average annual repair costs,5 but the Toyota brand typically has above-average ownership costs.6 This makes the Ridgeline the more appealing investment for both work and play.
Test-Drive the New Honda Ridgeline
Ready to put this Toyota Tacoma vs. Ridgeline knowledge to work and test-drive your favorite trim? At Planet Honda NH, we've got Honda Ridgeline keys waiting for you and an entire team of friendly staff members ready to show you the ropes and introduce you to our new Honda specials.
Curious about the entire Honda lineup? Our team can walk you through all our models' best features, help you find the most suitable option from all the new Honda vehicles on our lot, and set you up with competitive finance or lease terms. Stop by today to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more reliable: the Honda Ridgeline or the Toyota Tacoma?
A Honda Ridgeline vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison shows two safe, reliable, and capable trucks. However, Repairpal shows the Ridgeline has lower-than-average yearly repair costs.5 Plus, the scope of the Honda Ridgeline's safety systems surpasses anything you'll find in a Tacoma trim, so we recommend the Ridgeline truck as the most reliable option. Come see it yourself at our Planet Honda NH dealership today.
Is the Honda Ridgeline a better ride than the Toyota Tacoma?
Yes, thanks to its car-like handling, the Honda truck offers a smoother, more comfortable ride than the Toyota model. Though some of the 2025 Tacoma trims offer a multi-link suspension system to increase rider comfort, its standard build – and the standard design of other competitors from other brands – can't compete with the Honda Ridgeline and its standard multi-link rear suspension setup.
Who wins the battle: the Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma?
In this 2025 Toyota Tacoma vs. Honda Ridgeline showdown, the Honda truck takes home the trophy for best all-around midsize pickup. The Ridgeline beats the Tacoma in standard engine size and specs, fuel tank and towing capacities, and standard bed length. The Honda truck also gives you features the Toyota can't match, like a swing-open tailgate, a lockable in-bed trunk, and standard five-passenger seating.
About The Author
Planet Honda NH is a leading expert in Honda vehicles, offering a customer-first, eco-conscious approach to car buying and service. As a certified Green Dealer and Water Conservation Badge recipient, Planet Honda is proud to lead with sustainability while delivering exceptional value and care to drivers across New Hampshire.