The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Took a Trick From the Honda Ridgeline
We got another Taco Tuesday teaser about the new Toyota Tacoma, and it reminded us about the Honda Ridgeline. It may not seem like these two midsize trucks have a lot in common, but the 2024 Toyota Tacoma seemingly borrowed a feature from the 2023 Honda Ridgeline.
What do the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline have in common?
Believe it or not, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma and 2023 Honda Ridgeline both want to provide the best outdoor experience possible. Comfort and relaxation are essential at the campsite and after a long work day.
The latest Tacoma teaser shows a smart portable JBL Flex speaker. It looks like it can be taken from the dash and used around other places. It’s safe to assume that the speaker has Bluetooth connectivity.
AutoBlog shared that Toyota promotes bringing your tunes from the dash to the campsite. The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma features an available JBL Flex removable and portable speaker, and we should stay tuned for more.
However, this is something that the Honda Ridgeline has provided for years. It features a Bluetooth audio system in the bed with six speakers. But you can’t walk away with it, so park near your tent.
Also, the Ridgeline has a built-in storage cubby in the truck bed. It provides 7.3 cubic feet of extra storage space and features a drain, so it can be used as a cooler.
Is the Tacoma or Ridgeline better?
We’re still waiting to learn more about the 2024 Toyota Tacoma and may have a few more teasers each Tuesday before it debuts. But even if it was out, we wouldn’t necessarily call it better than the 2023 Honda Ridgeline.
Both trucks cater to incredibly different needs. For example, the Honda Ridgeline is a more comfortable daily driver, while the rigid Toyota Tacoma is built to dominate the wild.
For example, the Toyota Tacoma has a traditional body-on-frame build to increase suspension travel and enhance durability. The Honda Ridgeline has a unibody frame, which provides a smoother ride on the pavement and sportier handling.
All-wheel drive is standard with the Ridgeline, while 4×4 is optional with the Tacoma. While the Ridgeline has a larger truck bed, it can only tow up to 5,000 lbs. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 lbs.
The Ridgeline has more passenger space, cargo storage, standard power, and a better fuel economy. But the Tacoma features optional suspension lifts, a lockable rear differential, skid plates, and off-roading modes.
What to expect with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is taking notes from rivals like the Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger Raptor, and Chevy Colorado. For example, another Taco Tuesday treasure displayed new Fox shocks. They’re TRD-specific, but the 2024 Ranger uses Fox shocks too.
We know that the Tacoma Hybrid is coming. The next-generation Tacoma could be the first midsize truck available with a hybrid engine. The Ranger and Jeep Gladiator 4xe could follow its racks.
Plus, the Tacoma Trailhunter or overlanding trim is coming out. It has upgrades to handle the extra weight of camping gear. It will ride on the TNGA-K platform and might grow in size to provide more passenger space, like the Ridgeline.
The new Tacoma will look like a miniature Toyota Tundra. We can’t wait to see and learn more, and never expected to find similarities with the Honda Ridgeline. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
