2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier emerged as a key player in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, which aimed to introduce 10 refreshed or new vehicles within 20 months. This midsize pickup truck arrived with a bold, rugged design reminiscent of the classic Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s. The Frontier's design process, led by Hiren Patel, involved crafting the truck's shape from a solid block of metal, resulting in a robust and distinctive appearance. Available in nine exterior colours, including Tactical Green and Deep Pearl Blue, the Frontier offered a choice of two interior shades. The PRO-4X trim level featured exclusive options like Baja Storm paint and charcoal leather seating. While slightly longer than its predecessor, the Frontier maintained a manageable size for garages and parking spaces. It targeted competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, offering configurations such as King Cab and Crew Cab, with various bed lengths and optional features like a spray-in bedliner and LED bed lighting. Inside, the Frontier boasted significant improvements, including Zero Gravity front seats, enhanced insulation, and a new centre console with ample storage. Nissan also recognized the importance of customization, offering over 80 optional accessories for the Frontier.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, on the other hand, had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, resulting in a more rugged appearance with a new front end, LED lighting, and larger exhaust outlets. The Ridgeline was available in four trims, all equipped with a V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring AWD system. The Black Edition trim, tested in Platinum White Pearl, featured 18-inch black alloy wheels. While the Ridgeline's pricing was on the higher side, it offered a refined and sophisticated driving experience, sharing its platform with the Honda Passport SUV. The interior exuded quality, with leather-lined seats, ample storage, and a comfortable layout. Despite its interior design dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, it remained modern and upscale compared to rivals. The Ridgeline's unibody construction limited its towing capacity but contributed to its exceptional ride and handling qualities, making it a comfortable and nimble choice for city driving and long road trips.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier's performance was highlighted by its 3.8-litre V6 engine, which had been retuned for the heavier 2022 model. It delivered class-leading power with 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. The Frontier excelled in acceleration and passing power, aided by a tow mode that optimized shift points for improved performance under load. With a maximum payload of 635 kilograms and a towing capacity of 2,944 kilograms, it offered competitive capabilities. The nine-speed automatic transmission, paired with a 4WD system featuring 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes, provided smooth power delivery. However, its fuel efficiency, estimated at 13.7 L/100 km in the city and 10.6 on the highway, was not its strong suit. The Frontier's hydraulic steering system offered a heavier feel, appealing to traditional truck enthusiasts. The PRO-4X trim added off-road capabilities with features like an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, and skid plates, making it a capable off-road performer.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport SUV, featuring a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. Its nine-speed automatic transmission and torque-vectoring AWD system contributed to its sophisticated on-road driving dynamics. The Ridgeline offered a competitive payload capacity of 694 kilograms but had a towing capacity limited to 2,268 kilograms due to its unibody construction. While it lacked traditional off-road features, it excelled in ride comfort and handling, making it a versatile choice for daily driving. The Ridgeline's fuel efficiency was impressive, averaging 10.4 L/100 km on a road trip, with official ratings of 11.5 L/100 km combined and 9.9 on the highway. Its unibody construction and independent suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride, even on twisty mountain roads. However, the steering felt slightly heavy at lower speeds.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier stood out for its combination of comfort and capability. The front seats, equipped with Nissan's Zero Gravity technology, offered exceptional comfort, setting a new standard in the midsize pickup segment. The Frontier provided ample storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. While the Crew Cab offered reasonable headroom and legroom, the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier featured eight cupholders, with four large enough for one-litre bottles, and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. Overall, the Frontier felt ahead of its competitors in terms of comfort and practicality.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized function with its practical interior and innovative features. Sharing its platform with the Honda Passport SUV, the Ridgeline offered easy entry and exit, comfortable seats with power adjustment, and a well-designed interior. The rear seat provided a high seating position and rear air conditioning vents, although headroom and legroom were slightly limited compared to the Passport. The rear seat cushion flipped up to create a load floor, and Honda offered an accessory rear underseat storage system. The Ridgeline's truck bed was a standout feature, with a dual-action tailgate, a flat cargo bed floor, and a lockable, weatherproof trunk with a drain plug. Honda offered various accessories, including a roof rack, bed extenders, and in-bed stereo speakers, enhancing the Ridgeline's practicality.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier made significant advancements in technology, featuring a standard 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for essential functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, although they required a wired connection. The PRO-4X trim offered wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The optional 10-speaker Fender audio system provided excellent sound quality, although it was part of a $2,000 Luxury Package.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, while relying on older technology, offered standard Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, but its graphics and response times were outdated. The user interface was simple, with touch-sensing buttons and a stereo volume knob. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the navigation system's cluttered display were drawbacks. The Ridgeline's wireless smartphone charger was inconsistent, and the overall technology needed an update.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and more. Eight airbags were standard, and the PRO-4X trim added traffic sign recognition.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard in Canada. While the technology was effective, the adaptive cruise control system occasionally struggled to maintain a safe following distance. The Ridgeline received favourable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with top marks in most categories.