Skip to main content

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline might not be at the top of your pickup truck list. On the contrary, the Toyota Tacoma or the Jeep Gladiator might be. What makes the Ridgeline a better buy than the Tacoma when it seems the latter is selling better?

What makes the Honda Ridgeline better than the Jeep Gladiator?

Consumer Reports disagrees. By the scoring mechanism used to create the best pickup truck list of 2021, the Honda Ridgeline came out ahead of both the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tacoma. Is that an accurate representation of how the market feels?

Based on the sales listed on Good Car Bad Car, the sales show a different view. The Honda Ridgeline has sold 6,489 cars so far this year.

The Toyota Tacoma sold 39,456. The Jeep Gladiator isn’t on the list for 2021 yet. For quarter four of 2020, the Gladiator sold 20,552 units.

So, even though Consumer Reports rated the Ridgeline highest, it might not be right for you. It received a score of 80 out of 100 and predicted reliability of four out of five. The predicted owner satisfaction was five out of five.

The Jeep Gladiator only received a score of 65 out of 100. Both the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction were five out of five. It fell short in the road test.

The Toyota Tacoma is still a fan favorite

Based on the statistics provided by Consumer Reports, the Tacoma only received a 51. Both the predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction were three out of five. The road test was a 42.

But if we look specifically at how these trucks are selling, the Tacoma definitely wins. The base price for this truck is $26,250 to $46,880.

The Ridgeline will run you $36,490 to $43,920, and the Jeep is anywhere from $33,715 to $43,995. Perhaps the Tacoma is just a more affordable option from the base, making it an easier buy.

Critics and drivers disagree about the Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline might be a good buy based on what critics have to say, but drivers are not buying these trucks at a rapid pace yet. Perhaps the high price is driving potential buyers away. You can get a slightly updated Tacoma for the price of the base Ridgeline.

What the Tacoma has going for it in name recognition, the Jeep has going for it in Jeep-iness. It is still a Jeep, just with more capability. The Ridgeline just might not have the same following yet. Perhaps the rest of 2021 will find the Ridgeline selling like hotcakes based on what the critics have to say.

Related

2021 Toyota Tacoma: You Won’t Find Much to Complain About

Best in Trucks & SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.