Shopping for a Honda Ridgeline? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look at Instead
When it comes to the mid-size truck category, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is undoubtedly one of the best choices for drivers who want a truck but don't really need one. We say that because the Ridgeline looks like a truck and does everything a truck needs to do, but it drives more like a minivan. Its comfortable ride and refined driving dynamics make it a go-to choice for those who only use its truck features around five percent of the time.
Let's face it, the other 95 percent of the time, those drivers are using their trucks for mundane tasks like driving to the grocery store, dropping the kids off at school, or other activities. In that case, the Ridgeline is perfect with its accommodating rear seat area, in-bed trunk, and clever storage options. The Honda Ridgeline is also very powerful with its 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of power, the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds and nearly 1,600 pounds of payload, which is on track with its rivals.
However, for the truck lovers who want a little more off-road capability, at the expense of a smoother ride, there are better options in the class. Here are four other options that are worth checking out if the Honda Ridgeline is too soft.
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is easily one of the most popular trucks in the segment as well as the entire automotive market. Opting for the Tacoma will give buyers the same equipment found on the Honda Ridgeline, but in a rougher, tougher package. The Tacoma utilizes a body-on-frame architecture for added rigidity, which helps it navigate over rocky terrain while maintaining composure under normal driving conditions. Furthermore, the Tacoma underwent a makeover for the 2024 model year, which included a new look, more features, and updated powertrains.
Instead of a V6, the Toyota Tacoma is now propelled by a standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and sends it to either the rear wheels or all four, depending on the configuration buyers choose. There is also an upgraded 278-horsepower i-Force hybrid variation for those seeking more power and fuel efficiency, as the upgraded engine is more fuel efficient than the V6 found in the Ridgeline (19 city/24 highway). With that kind of power, the Tacoma is able to tow up to 6,000 pounds and up to 1,680 pounds of payload.
Inside, the Tacoma boasts seating for five and plenty of in-cabin tech, including an available 14-inch infotainment system that's connected to a JBL premium audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and plenty of safety features. The Tacoma also has many different trim levels to suit a variety of budgets, including a Trailhunter trim that comes well-equipped with plenty of off-road-ready features. Ultimately, it's a formidable competitor in the mid-size truck category and should not be overlooked.
The 2025 Nissan Frontier is another rugged choice that can run circles around the Honda Ridgeline in an off-road setting. The Frontier strikes a good balance between off-road capability, comfort, and affordability. It's powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, which makes it more powerful than the Honda Ridgeline. The Frontier has also been updated for the 2025 model year with new exterior enhancements, like a new front bumper and grille, as well as new wheel choices on the PRO-X trim level and a new orange color.
More importantly, the Frontier now comes with an optional 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and a new 360-degree camera system, which the Ridgeline doesn't have. It can also tow up to 7,150 pounds and has an available six-foot bed length, which is longer than the one in the Ridgeline as well. Lastly, the Nissan Frontier undercuts the Ridgeline in price by nearly $10,000 at every trim level, which makes it a stellar choice for truck lovers on a budget.
The Ford Ranger poses a threat to the Honda Ridgeline with its compelling blend of performance, technology, and versatility. The Ranger offers a range of potent engine choices, which include a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds and carry up to 1,805 pounds of payload.
Inside, the Ranger features a user-friendly cabin that boasts a range of advanced technologies, including a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and wireless phone integration. It also has plenty of safety and driver-assist features to keep everyone safe and on the road. If all of those features aren't convincing enough, it's worth noting that the Ranger starts at around $33,000, which is much cheaper than the Honda Ridgeline, making it a great value at every trim level.
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado is a robust entry in the pickup truck segment because it excels in performance and technology. The Colorado is powered by a standard 2.7-liter TurboMax engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination allows the Colorado to tow up to a whopping 7,700 pounds.
Power aside, the Chevrolet Colorado also has a tech-rich cabin that comes equipped with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone integration, and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster to give the driver all the pertinent information. It also has plenty of safety features and comes in a number of trim levels, including the Trail Boss and ZR2 trim levels, which come with rugged off-road features like lifted suspensions, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. Pricing for the Colorado also starts at around $33,000, which is far less than the Ridgeline's $40,000 starting price.
Although the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is undoubtedly a safe choice for truck buyers who need a truck but don't intend to do much truck-worthy things like rock crawling or advanced off-roading, there are more capable options in the market. Trucks like the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger are all better equipped for towing, hauling, and off-roading, and they even cost less than Honda's pickup, Of course, this doesn't mean that buyers should completely cross the Ridgeline shopping list as it's still a good option and deserves a look for anyone that's in the market for a mid-size pickup truck.
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Miami Herald
17 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Shopping for a Honda Ridgeline? Here's What Experts Say You Should Look at Instead
When it comes to the mid-size truck category, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is undoubtedly one of the best choices for drivers who want a truck but don't really need one. We say that because the Ridgeline looks like a truck and does everything a truck needs to do, but it drives more like a minivan. Its comfortable ride and refined driving dynamics make it a go-to choice for those who only use its truck features around five percent of the time. Let's face it, the other 95 percent of the time, those drivers are using their trucks for mundane tasks like driving to the grocery store, dropping the kids off at school, or other activities. In that case, the Ridgeline is perfect with its accommodating rear seat area, in-bed trunk, and clever storage options. The Honda Ridgeline is also very powerful with its 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. With that kind of power, the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds and nearly 1,600 pounds of payload, which is on track with its rivals. However, for the truck lovers who want a little more off-road capability, at the expense of a smoother ride, there are better options in the class. Here are four other options that are worth checking out if the Honda Ridgeline is too soft. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is easily one of the most popular trucks in the segment as well as the entire automotive market. Opting for the Tacoma will give buyers the same equipment found on the Honda Ridgeline, but in a rougher, tougher package. The Tacoma utilizes a body-on-frame architecture for added rigidity, which helps it navigate over rocky terrain while maintaining composure under normal driving conditions. Furthermore, the Tacoma underwent a makeover for the 2024 model year, which included a new look, more features, and updated powertrains. Instead of a V6, the Toyota Tacoma is now propelled by a standard turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and sends it to either the rear wheels or all four, depending on the configuration buyers choose. There is also an upgraded 278-horsepower i-Force hybrid variation for those seeking more power and fuel efficiency, as the upgraded engine is more fuel efficient than the V6 found in the Ridgeline (19 city/24 highway). With that kind of power, the Tacoma is able to tow up to 6,000 pounds and up to 1,680 pounds of payload. Inside, the Tacoma boasts seating for five and plenty of in-cabin tech, including an available 14-inch infotainment system that's connected to a JBL premium audio system, heated and ventilated seats, and plenty of safety features. The Tacoma also has many different trim levels to suit a variety of budgets, including a Trailhunter trim that comes well-equipped with plenty of off-road-ready features. Ultimately, it's a formidable competitor in the mid-size truck category and should not be overlooked. The 2025 Nissan Frontier is another rugged choice that can run circles around the Honda Ridgeline in an off-road setting. The Frontier strikes a good balance between off-road capability, comfort, and affordability. It's powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, which makes it more powerful than the Honda Ridgeline. The Frontier has also been updated for the 2025 model year with new exterior enhancements, like a new front bumper and grille, as well as new wheel choices on the PRO-X trim level and a new orange color. More importantly, the Frontier now comes with an optional 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and a new 360-degree camera system, which the Ridgeline doesn't have. It can also tow up to 7,150 pounds and has an available six-foot bed length, which is longer than the one in the Ridgeline as well. Lastly, the Nissan Frontier undercuts the Ridgeline in price by nearly $10,000 at every trim level, which makes it a stellar choice for truck lovers on a budget. The Ford Ranger poses a threat to the Honda Ridgeline with its compelling blend of performance, technology, and versatility. The Ranger offers a range of potent engine choices, which include a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter V6 that makes 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. With all that power, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds and carry up to 1,805 pounds of payload. Inside, the Ranger features a user-friendly cabin that boasts a range of advanced technologies, including a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, and wireless phone integration. It also has plenty of safety and driver-assist features to keep everyone safe and on the road. If all of those features aren't convincing enough, it's worth noting that the Ranger starts at around $33,000, which is much cheaper than the Honda Ridgeline, making it a great value at every trim level. The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado is a robust entry in the pickup truck segment because it excels in performance and technology. The Colorado is powered by a standard 2.7-liter TurboMax engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination allows the Colorado to tow up to a whopping 7,700 pounds. Power aside, the Chevrolet Colorado also has a tech-rich cabin that comes equipped with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone integration, and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster to give the driver all the pertinent information. It also has plenty of safety features and comes in a number of trim levels, including the Trail Boss and ZR2 trim levels, which come with rugged off-road features like lifted suspensions, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. Pricing for the Colorado also starts at around $33,000, which is far less than the Ridgeline's $40,000 starting price. Although the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is undoubtedly a safe choice for truck buyers who need a truck but don't intend to do much truck-worthy things like rock crawling or advanced off-roading, there are more capable options in the market. Trucks like the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger are all better equipped for towing, hauling, and off-roading, and they even cost less than Honda's pickup, Of course, this doesn't mean that buyers should completely cross the Ridgeline shopping list as it's still a good option and deserves a look for anyone that's in the market for a mid-size pickup truck. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Motor 1
20 hours ago
- Motor 1
‘The Best Or Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done': Woman Buys $500 Toyota Tacoma. Then She Takes It Off-Roading
A Toyota Tacoma pickup truck cost this woman just $500. It's either the best or worst project the TikToker has ever undertaken, according to her. Luckily, this Tacoma is from a golden era for all-terrain vehicles. TikToker and YouTuber Chloe Kuo (@chloekuotaco) posted the video on May 28. It's since gone viral. "I know $500 for a Tacoma is relatively inexpensive, but this one basically fell in my lap after some unexpected family stuff," she says to start the video. 'Which is not perfect. I mean, somebody named her 'Beater' for a reason.' The Tacoma is a 2002 model with more than 200,000 miles. 'This thing is basically a time capsule from when Tacomas were small, simple, functional, and built like tanks,' she said. 'So I immediately took it off-road for some real-world testing. And she did an awesome job at Diablo Dropoff. The shocks made the truck feel like I was riding a pogo stick.' The Diablo Dropoff is an off-road trail in Southern California's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, known for its challenging terrain. She continued, 'But, honestly, having a truck I don't have to worry about beating is kind of amazing. So, yeah, this is either the best $500 I've ever spent or the start of a very expensive mistake. But yeah, let's build it or blow it up.' In the comments, used car owners couldn't believe the deal Kuo got on the Tacoma. 'Nah, where are you finding a $500 Tacoma????' one wrote. 'Where I live, people be asking $4,000 for 350k miles and rust.' A second user agreed, '200k miles is barely breaking in for a 2002.' A third user wrote, 'They gave you GOLD. That truck will outlast any other car or truck you will ever own.' Someone else wrote, 'Thing's got a factory moonroof. That's a rare option.' Can You Really Buy a 2002 Toyota Tacoma for $500? It doesn't seem like the commenters on TikTok are blowing smoke in Kuo's direction. A quick Carfax search shows that a used 2002 Toyota Tacoma can range in price anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on mileage and condition. So she got a screaming deal. In general, reviewers praise the 2002 Tacoma's durability and off-road handling. 'This truck does it all,' wrote one owner. Carfax, an organization that tracks used car service history, agrees. 'It's ideal for drivers who need an inexpensive small pickup for professional or recreational use, rather than a bigger, bulkier, and less fuel-efficient full-size model,' it reports. What is the Golden Era of the Tacoma? Well, according to a vote of Reddit's r/ToyotaTacoma, the third generation of Tacoma from 2016-2023 is the favorite. More than 228 voters chose the 3rd Gen model years. Kuo's 2002 Tacoma falls under the 1.5 Gen (2001-2004), and it got 33 votes. One Redditor suggested, 'I like to think that a majority of the owners on here are 3rd Gen so it may be skewed. I've driven all three gens, and I like the 2nd the best. I own a 2nd, so I'm also biased. We need another poll on ownership to go along with this poll.' Motor1 contacted Kuo via TikTok direct messages for comment. We also contacted Toyota via email for comment. We'll be sure to update this article when we hear back. Now Trending Woman Starts Driving. Then Water Starts Pouring Onto Her Mercedes G-Wagon's Dashboard and Touchscreen 'Doesn't Even Smell Like Gas': Texas Man Drives Volkswagen to 76 Gas Station. Then He Realizes He Filled Up On a Mystery Liquid Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor Trend
21 hours ago
- Motor Trend
The Cheapest Pickup Trucks You Can Buy in 2025 Aren't All Small
Almost across the board, pickup truck prices are creeping upward. Most of this is due to inflation (and more recently, tariffs), but formerly cheap trucks like the new generation Toyota Tacoma are going somewhat upmarket, while the price creep affecting the cheapest pickups like the Ford Maverick appears to be due to automakers capitalizing on unexpected success and, again, more recently, responding to tariffs. (The Maverick, like some other trucks on this list, is assembled outside of the U.S., which raises price pressure compared to home built options.) For now, the cheapest work trucks you can buy can still be had for under $40,000, but you don't need us to tell you that the versions of the most common full-size trucks most consumers buy are in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. Of course, the base price isn't the only metric by which to measure a truck, but it's an important one. If you want to explore other ways pickup trucks stack up against each other, MotorTrend 's proprietary algorithm provides the ultimate source of automotive data by combining over 75 years of our own instrumented performance, comfort, and efficiency testing on more than 5,000 vehicles. That data is fused with decades of expertise from former heads of design, engineering, and our own car buying experience experts. Built by statisticians and honed by automotive experts, MotorTrend 's Ultimate Car Rankings will assist in finding your perfect vehicle. But, you came here for cheap trucks, and here they are, the cheapest trucks you can buy in 2025:
