Honda Ridgeline vs. Nissan Frontier
1. Price Comparison
Every vehicle comes with its set of advantages and disadvantages, and for many buyers, the initial consideration often revolves around the price. In this case, the 2023 Nissan Frontier kicks off at a more budget-friendly starting point compared to the 2023 Honda Ridgeline.
It's worth noting that the more affordable Frontiers typically feature a four-person cabin configuration. Upon closer inspection of the Frontier King Cab and ensuring it includes comparable equipment to the Ridgeline, the price gap diminishes.
2. Cabin Size and Seating
The Nissan Frontier is available in two cab sizes. King Cabs accommodate four passengers with a passenger space of only 90 cubic feet. The Crew Cab includes a fifth seat, increasing passenger volume to 100 cubic feet.
In contrast, Honda Ridgelines boast an SUV-sized cabin with 109 cubic feet of passenger space, earning it the distinction of best-in-class spaciousness. Notably, when considering crucial second-row legroom, the Honda midsize truck surpasses the Nissan truck by an additional four inches.
Starting from the Sport trim up to the RTL trims, every Ridgeline is crafted from premium materials. Catering to families, professionals, and those in construction trades, it boasts exclusive features like tri-zone automatic climate controls, ensuring enhanced air conditioning for the rear row.
The Ridgeline excels in ride quality, especially for passengers. To maintain a quiet environment, these trucks are equipped with active noise cancellation.
3. Performance Comparison
The Honda Ridgeline is equipped with a robust 280-horsepower V6 engine and all-wheel drive. Its towing capabilities are supported by a heavy-duty transmission cooler. Car and Driver, designating it as an Editors' Choice, commends the Ridgeline for its unexpected performance behind the wheel, highlighting its adept handling and car-like ride quality.
The AWD system of the Ridgeline offers mud, snow, and sand modes for assistance and employs intelligent variable torque management to ensure optimal capability.
Contrastingly, the Frontier is powered by a 310-horsepower V6, also featuring a 9-speed automatic transmission. While rear-wheel drive is standard, four-wheel drive is available as a higher-cost option.
4. Efficiency and Warranty
Frontiers and Ridgelines offer similar warranties, providing three years or up to 36,000 miles of roadside assistance. Honda goes a step further, presenting buyers with 24 months or 24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
Another exclusive benefit for Ridgeline owners is the active control engine mount system, which aids in reducing the natural bounce that can harm engines over time.
Both the AWD Ridgeline and RWD Frontier boast identical fuel economy, achieving 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. However, the four-wheel-drive Frontiers experience a decrease in efficiency, with ratings of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
Honda ensures fuel efficiency through standard idle-stop for city use, variable cylinder management for highway travel, and an EcoAssist system for the driver.
5. Utility Comparison
Benefiting from its slightly more potent engine and smaller cabin versions, the Frontier can assert superior tow ratings. Payload ratings also exhibit some variability, with the Frontier holding a slight advantage in specific configurations.
Regarding towing capacity, every Ridgeline can tow a substantial 5,000 pounds. Additionally, a trailer hitch comes as a standard feature on this Honda truck.
When it comes to cargo hauling, Ridgelines boast several best-in-class features. Firstly, there's the in-bed trunk, providing secure storage space discreetly out of sight. Secondly, it features a dual-action tailgate that offers the flexibility to open to the side or fold down.
Thirdly, it boasts the widest wheel well width in the midsize class, allowing users to lay 4-foot wide boards flat. With the tailgate laid flat, the standard 64-inch floor length expands to an impressive 84 inches. Enhancing convenience at the entry level, Ridgeline trucks come equipped with standard cargo bed lights to facilitate tasks in low-light conditions.
6. Safety and Driver Convenience
In prioritizing safety features, Hondas surpass Nissans with a more extensive array of driver standards, including both exclusive and more advanced systems.
For parking, the Ridgeline gains an advantage with a three-view rearview camera. While on the road, it offers standard lane-keeping assistance and the Honda road departure system.
Commute-oriented drivers will find that every Ridgeline comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, an additional feature not found on many Frontier trucks. Additionally, LED headlights and fog lights are consistently included as standard features on the Honda midsize truck.
In terms of safety ratings, the 2023 Ridgeline maintains its five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In contrast, the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab currently holds a four-star rating, with the King Cab achieving a four-star rating in the one category where it has been tested.
Conclusion
With so much going for it, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline is definitely the midsize truck to put first on your shopping list.
