Nissan Frontier vs Honda Ridgeline - Which is the Better Midsize Truck?

We compare the redesigned 2022 Nissan Frontier with the refreshed 2022 Honda Ridgeline HPD to see which midsize truck is better.

The Ridgeline has many features that truck owners will recognize, though it lacks a frame and a real four-wheel drive system. Does that mean this Honda is not as good as the traditional body-on-frame Frontier from Nissan?

Watch the video to see if we pick the Nissan Frontier or the Honda Ridgeline.

#Trucks #Nissan #Honda

[johntsan]

The Ridgeline got everything going for it except true off roading and I dare say that 90% of truck buyers never take theirs off roads. It's the Ridgeline for me.

[TheRaven]

The BIG item that matters to a lot of us on these small trucks that regularly does NOT get enough review attention is their ability to haul sheet goods. The Ridgeline beats all the traditional small pickups AND the other unibody vehicles. It can haul 48" sheet goods with no adapters or modifications in the bed.

[bikebudha]

I crossed shopped both these trucks hard. Plenty of research, and test drives. I went with the Ridgeline because:
1) When comparably spec'd, they are close in price. I got the Pro 4x up to $39k, while my RTL came to $42k (but had a few more options not available on the 4x)
2) Build quality. My research indicated Nissan trucks are actually pretty reliable (unlike the rest of the brand). But Honda quality is legendary.
3) More interior room up front. What most don't tell you is the Honda is wider than any other midsize truck. Plenty of elbow room. Driver and passenger both get their own armrest. And I've discoverd the Ridgleine center console is the perfect size to hold a bag of burgers and fries. (Very important for the all the covid inspired time in the drive-throughs).
4) More inteior room in the back. Not only can I sit behind myself (I'm 6'-4"), but it's the storage man, the storage. The Ridgeline rear seats fold up so flat, and the floor is almost completely flat. TONS of space. Enough you could fit a mountain bike (with the front wheel off) in there in a pinch. I can almost "walk-through" the space.
5) The bed is better (in the 5'-ish version). As it's 5'4" in the Ridgeline, while only 5' in the Nissan. AND, the Ridgeline is completely flat, while the Nissan wheels wells project significantly into the bed space. AND the Ridgeline's tailgate opens like a door, making it super easy to step on the bumper then into the bed. AND, the Ridgeline's lockable, weathertight in-bed trunk is magic bonus space. AND the Ridgeline bed comes "pre-lined". AND, the bed is 60" wide all the way down, where the Nissan is only 44" wide between the wheel wells.
6) All-wheel drive is better than 4x4 for my type of driving. Having driven a Ford Ranger for the past 21 years, I am amazed I put up with 4x4 for so long. For one, the all-wheel drive is "always on", I never have to slow down to under 40mph to swithc into 4x4. Nor does the all-wheel dramatically reduce the turning radius (nor does it 'crab walk' when turning tightly). (Note, I do gravel roads and forrest service roads - no rock or mud crawling).
7) I don't tow.
8) The ride is better in the Ridgeline. It rides like a plush suv. Just got back from an 800 mile (round trip) road trip. Super quiet, super comfortable.
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Honeslty, if you don't tow or rock climb - you should really really test drive the Ridgeline.

[Highwayspet]

Ordered a 23 Ridgeline. Picked it up last week. I was looking at a Tacoma. I came to realization that I’m a family man who lives in the city. I’m never going rock climbing on my days off. I needed a comfortable vehicle that can haul a sheet of plywood if needed. I do a fair amount of seasonal highway driving, so the awd will be capable. All boxes checked. Pretty satisfied. No stigma regarding not being a “traditional truck”, I’ve owned many half and quarter tons, couldn’t care less.

[BrianB]

I'm still enjoying my 08 Ridgeline. Has 185, 000 miles. Best vehicle I ever owned. My family of 4 fits comfortably. Taken it on long vacation drives. Plenty of hauling furniture and yard waste in the bed. Absolutely love it

[nemavezee]

Drove both, but bought the ridgeline. I'd do it again. For my truck use it's perfect. Good payload for road trips, very comfortable, better fuel economy, awesome awd system, way more interior and bed space, in-bed trunk is genius. All that being said, I like the look of the frontier a little better.

[Glokens]

The Nissan looks amazing and overall seems like a really nice job on the refresh. With that being said though, I think the ridgeline would make more sense for me and my family with the added trunk.

[Mr.Lambert]

I like the Frontier. The frontier imo gives off a styling for the younger crowd like myself. The ridgeline is nice, but it gives off a styling for the much older crowd who likes the comfort plush like vibes..again just my opinion.

[carlosizz]

I'm a Nissan guy but I'll give credit where is due and the Ridgeline has come a long ways in the design and practicality of the truck bed so kudos there. For most folks Ridgeline is the way to go if you can afford the extra cost.
Good video, keep up the great work!

[MrSujano]

It's crazy to think that a unibody truck would give a "traditional" truck a huge run for it's money on so many levels. Great vid as always!

[nomercy]

I just bought a Ridgeline and I did go look at the new Frontiers. The biggest difference between what I saw at the dealer in 2023 between those two trucks was the price. The Nissan dealer had their list price over $43K for the 4x2 frontier and no 4x4 on the lot, and I got the Ridgeline RTL for $41K but had a list price for $43K. So the Ridgeline was much better equipped.

[raccoons]

Good video. I too am a "large guy" I bought my first ridgeline (first model year of old design) due to the bigger cab space and wasn't dissapointed. While it's not as good offroad it was sufficient in my first Caribou Hunt (-30C northern quebec logging roads in winter) and so I have had two more ending with the 2017 model. Love the drive comfort and I generallly tow a 4100lb travel trailer without issue. I'm all for the ridgeline.

[goforce]

2019 Ridgeline owner. I road tested a Nissan, but I don't care for their reliability. Ended up trading in a 2016 Silverado for the Ridgeline. Best move I've made. I don't need a full-size truck, gas milage is poor, and it towed way more then I'll ever need to. Honda made an excellent truck/alt truck. They killed it with the engine power, as well as the mpg's. Also, with the right tires, the thing will do whatever the Nissan will do. Might even have to lift it a bit- if your clearance needs are there. With my larger tires, there is slightly more lift and the snow capability is awesome.

[andrewdiamond]

4:50 mentioned the narrow space of the Nissan bed, but didn't mention the Ridgeline can put 48" ply, OSB, or drywall flat between the wheel wells.

[Offshore]

Thank you for doing the car seat test. Not many reviewers do this. I love off-roading but I have 2 kids and your videos are always very helpful.

[shannonjennings]

You can visibly see the rough ride in the Frontier versus the Ridgeline, night and day difference. Not to mention you can see how much more room there is in the Ridgeline, there was probably close to a foot of separation between them but in the Frontier, they were basically touching arm to arm. And the road noise was far greater in the Frontier. To me, from the looks, features, size and ride, besides all the other added conveniences, the Ridgeline wins hands down. That will be the truck I purchase.

[JohnDavis-besj]

My wife and I were in the market for a midsize truck and initially we didn’t go with either. Instead we put money down on a Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-road. It was cloth seats and did have the upgraded entertainment system with side steps and a few other features. The dealer had a 1k mark up which started out as 2k and they had some non-negotiable add ons line 300 for nitrogen in the tires and 309 for wheel locks. All and all $49, 928. We kept browsing around and found a 2022 Ridgeline RTL-E and it felt so much roomier, the features it came with were so much more useful to us and my wife fell in love with the trunk. The major need that had to be met was towing a 18 foot bass boat, so no issue there. It also had a 1k mark up, non-negotiable front window tint, LoJack 1 year and Permaplate 1 year. Only added accessories was the protection package that seemed like all weather floor mats. All an all $50, 200. Driving it was so smooth and not like a truck, and wife loved that it’s base drivetrain was FWD. So sure we lose out on a lot of off-road capability without modding, but it checked every box we cared about. At first I still really wanted a real truck, but a month in I am so glad I went with the Ridgeline.

[josephreyes]

Ridgeline all the way! Great bed storage, dual opening tailgate, speakers in the back, smoother ride. And very cozy back seat. Honda for the win.

[l]

The width of the cabin in the Ridgeline compared to all other midsize pickups is a huge selling point for me. It's the only one that doesn't feel cramped. I owned a previous generation model and kind of thought the in-bed trunk and tailgate were stupid ideas - wrong, I used both all the time. And that 1400-1500lbs payload, unbeatable.

[christophercortes]

Just picked up my Ridgeline RTL this morning. Traded my ‘17 Pilot and honestly can’t feel the difference in driving! Test drove every single mid-size truck (already have a Tundra) and hands down… the Ridgeline is just one of a kind. Thank you.