2022 Nissan Frontier vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline underwent a significant redesign, particularly forward of the windshield and front doors, and received a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets. The truck's tires featured a more aggressive shoulder tread, and new wheel designs debuted in black, dark gray, and bronze. The bronze wheels were part of the new Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package, which also added oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold stickers on the cargo bed. The Ridgeline's interior, modeled after the Honda Pilot SUV, emphasized functionality with generous storage and hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean after adventures.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier arrived as a dramatically new midsize pickup truck, reflecting shades of the old Nissan Hardbody pickup from the 1980s and 1990s. The Frontier's design process involved machining a solid block of metal to create the truck's shape. Available in nine exterior colors and two interior shades, the Frontier offered a slightly longer nose but maintained a manageable size for garages and parking spots. The Frontier's interior featured Nissan's lauded Zero Gravity seats and significant insulation improvements, making it a comfortable and quiet ride. The truck also offered a variety of customization options with upwards of 80 optional accessories.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline featured a powerful, smooth, and refined 280-horsepower V6 engine with 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) was standard, providing torque-vectoring and the ability to put up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. The Ridgeline offered Snow, Sand, and Mud settings through its Intelligent Traction Management (ITM) system, but it wasn't designed for rock-crawling. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload rating of 1,583 pounds, the Ridgeline was competitive in its class. Its unibody architecture and independent rear suspension made it remarkably athletic and enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier's powertrain was highlighted by its 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing a class-leading 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. The Frontier's nine-speed automatic transmission managed power to either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes. The truck's maximum payload was 1,610 pounds, and it had a towing capacity of 6,720 pounds. The Frontier's fuel economy was 18 mpg city, 24 highway, 20 combined for RWD models, and 17/22/19 for 4WD models. The Frontier's hydraulic rack and pinion steering system provided a heavier steering feel, and the PRO-4X trim offered a capable off-road kit with features like hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline offered a comfortable and functional interior, with manually-adjustable front seats and the roomiest rear seat in its class. The truck's composite cargo bed was dent- and scratch-resistant, with tie-down hooks rated for 350 pounds each. The bed held 33.9 cubic feet of cargo and featured a power locking dual-action tailgate and a 7.3 cubic-foot weatherproof trunk. Higher trims included leather seats, heated front seats, a power sunroof, and ambient cabin lighting. The Ridgeline's utility was enhanced by a large center storage console and various storage bins throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier's front seats featured Nissan's Zero Gravity technology, providing exceptional comfort. The truck offered convenient storage options, including eight cupholders and additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. The Crew Cab provided a manageable amount of headroom and legroom, while the King Cab's rear seats were suitable only for small items. The Frontier's interior felt spacious and ahead of its competitors, with a focus on comfort and utility.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system. The Ridgeline's technology offerings were straightforward and user-friendly, with physical knobs and buttons for essential functions.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in its technology offerings. A standard 8-inch touchscreen was available on lower trims, while the PRO-4X trim featured a 9-inch screen. The Frontier's infotainment system included physical knobs and buttons for easy access to essential functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the truck offered a wireless phone charger and an optional Kicker tailgate audio system. The optional 10-speaker Fender stereo provided excellent sound quality, and the Frontier's technology packages added advanced safety features and convenience options.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Ridgeline also featured a multi-angle reversing camera, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The truck was built to Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crashworthiness standards, earning high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS under Nissan Safety Shield 360. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, trailer sway control, and rear-door alert. The Frontier also featured eight airbags and optional safety features like traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.