Resale Value

With the trucks in this comparison all having price tags within $1,000 of each other, it’s vital to look beyond the bottom line. With some vehicles, depreciation can hit years down the road, which makes it pertinent to mention that Honda is among the best automakers for resale value. CarEdge ranks it among the top three carmakers for keeping depreciation to a minimum. This status carries over to the Ridgeline, which retains 64% of its original value over five years, according to CarEdge. The Frontier has an estimated resale value of 63%, while the Colorado plunges to 52%.

Powertrains

Only the Ridgeline and Frontier come standard with V6 power, while a V6 upgrade in the Ranger XLT will add about $2,200 to the total price. Honda and Nissan use larger displacement engines – 3.5 and 3.8 liters, respectively – while Ford's unit is 2.7 liters and uses turbocharging to make up for the smaller size. A six-cylinder engine isn’t offered in the Colorado.

Cargo Bed

Pickups are all about hauling things, but the cargo beds in these trucks don't measure the same. With a front-to-back measurement of 64.0 inches, the Ridgeline has the longest bed length, beating out the Frontier (59.5 inches), Ranger (59.6 inches), and Colorado (61.7 inches). The Frontier is offered with an extra-cost longer bed. One dimension that can be overlooked is the amount of space between the wheel wells. Here, the Ridgeline (50.0 inches) and Ranger (48.2 inches) can accommodate standard 4x8 sheets of plywood and drywall laid flat in the bed. The Colorado (45.5 inches) and Frontier (44.5 inches) can't make this claim.

The tailgate can also be taken for granted, but a more functional one adds to convenience and practicality. Only the Ridgeline comes with a Dual-Action Tailgate that drops down like on a traditional truck but also swings sideways like a door. In addition, the Ridgeline has a lockable, weather-tight storage trunk within the bed. Honda calls this 7.3-cubic-foot space the In-Bed Trunk.

Expert Ratings

Consumer Reports ranks the Honda Ridgeline as the top midsized pickup for the 2026 model year, granting it a 78 out of 100 score. The Nissan Frontier received a score of 71. The Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger ranked far behind, with tied scores of 53. It’s also worth noting that only the Ridgeline and Frontier received a "CR Recommended" designation. Edmunds offered a somewhat different assessment, rating the Ridgeline 6.7 out of 10, just behind the Ranger (6.9). The Colorado earned a middle spot (6.4), while the Frontier trailed with 5.6. Edmunds’ editors gave the Ridgeline notably higher scores in specific categories like comfort and storage/cargo.