Coming from a 2017 Ridgeline

Meh - https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/honda-civic-vs-toyota-corolla

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19.8 vs 20k - For all intents and purposes, that's an even split. You pay a premium for the Japanese engineering whether its Honda, Toyota, Subaru, etc

The ridgeline is more expensive than the competition in the mid size segment, and it's not the Honda badge on that one - it's just an expensive vehicle (and that's fine, just one thing that effected my purchase)

 

My Mazda6 was ~2K less than a comparably equipped Accord and I'll take the 6 all day every day. Honda is slightly overpriced for what you get, IMO.

 

I came to the Tacoma from a Mazda 3 hatch. Loved that car - wish I kept it instead of trading it in. Only left it because I was going for a mid size pick em up instead. Otherwise I'd still have it.

Honda is losing the reliability reputation.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...hina-after-recall-plan-rejected-idUSKCN1GE1P8

Friend of mine bought one of these and ended up finding gas and oil mixing and brought it back. The 1.5 can seize up when driving apparently.

 

Well, I was able to rent a brand-new 2021 SR-5 DCSB V6 4WD AT with 200 miles on the odometer from a local dealer for the weekend. These are my impressions for anyone who is similarly undecided:
Overall: Thumbs Up! This is clearly a well made truck with a solid feel both in terms of its road manners and how the doors and tailgate operate. It didn't excel in any one area (I didn't venture OR), but it did everything relatively well.
Design: Functional but dated. For example the large engine compartment steals potential cabin space. See below.
Road and Wind Noise: Very good. My wife thought the Taco was quieter than the old Ridgeline. I cruised at 75mph with no more noise than at 50.
Powertrain: There is nothing wrong with the 3.5L engine or the automatic transmission. They are well matched and throttle response is good. I know that the transmission has drawn lots of criticism, but I had none. Maybe because of improvements in 2021, or me not paying too much attention to RPMs or what gear the tranny selected, I had no complaints.
Ride and suspension: Very good, the truck feels well-planted and its ride is compliant It really shines on both smooth and on crappy potholed roads. The ride didn't change much with a load in the bed, other than being a little more bouncy such as when going over speed humps.
Brakes: Perfectly adequate; they felt no different than 4-wheel discs.
Steering: On the highway it tracked well and didn't need much correction. But on curvy secondary roads, the Taco felt like a video game with little resistance and not enough feedback through the wheel.
Cabin: This is probably the weakest area. This includes access (shin bang), the seats, switches, infotainment, chunky A-pillars and black plastic plates backing the side-view mirrors that together reduce visibility, barely adequate rear seat, limited utility and storage. On a positive note, the sound system was better than average, the AC worked well, the center console and glove box are relatively large, and controls are intuitively placed. Standing 5'10", I was able to achieve a fairly comfortable driving position, but adjustability is limited, so one size may not fit all.
Bottom Line: It's easy too see why the Taco has such a strong and loyal following. I would be very happy owing one, including the automatic transmission.

PS: Perhaps it's unfair to compare the Tacoma to the Ridgeline; they are different animals and each has their strengths and weaknesses. They are both very good and speak to different (and sometimes the same) drivers.

 

Your thread is a popular one with a tons of interests :> please let us know what is your final decision and post pictures after you buy the truck. Good luck OP!

 

The Ridgeline has a mount in the bed for a full size spare if needed.

 

Glad you liked it.

I pretty much share your opinions with the following comments:

Road and wind noise is IMO not so great in the Tacoma. It’s not BAD compared to other trucks, but the current Ridgeline is MUCH quieter. The higher trim RL models have acoustic glass which is supposed to help with noise. Also less engine noise and tire noise with the RL. My fiancee commented immediately on how quiet the RL was compared to the Taco.

I can’t comment too much on the auto Taco transmission—I did test drive them and came *that close* to getting one, but at the last minute they “found” a manual that was on their lot—it was literally buried under snow and took them 30” to dig out. But I think the RL 9-speed auto is much more refined. Acceleration was super smooth getting on the highway. It’s at least a second quicker than the Taco MT or AT. No jerkiness. And of course better gas mileage.

Can you live with these issues? Yes, depends on your needs.

 

Am I the only one who thinks Barney in a dress doesn’t look that bad? I mean he, er she, is no Betty Rubble, but still. Nice hair.

 

LOL, yeah Barney looks better with Betty's hair.

 

LOL

this discussion is PERFECT in a Ridgeline thread

 

You cracked me up, l shouldn't have taken a drink of coffee right as l clicked on this thread.

 

I have a 2021 TRD OR Manual, and traded a 2019 Honda Ridgeline RTL for it. The Taco drives/rides like a tractor in comparison. The Ridgeline is smooth, comfortable, and refined whereas the Taco is rough, rugged, and capable. I traded because I missed having a manual and was sick of turning around on rocky/rough roads that may have damaged the Ridgeline. Both have their merits, and the Ridgeline is a perfect pickup for many people, the Taco for others, but they are vastly different machines. As far as power, there is plenty of grunt in the Taco, though I never felt like the Ridgeline was lacking like you did, either.

 

I paid $39K for my 2020 RTL-E. MSRP was around $42K I did not find that expensive for what I got. In fact, I thought my 2016 Taco Sport was expensive for what I did not get...(except for the red on the dash which is ugly as hell)