Starting at
Starting at
| 310 | Horsepower (hp) | 280 |
| 6,690 | Max Towing (lbs) | 5,000 |
| 1,610 | Max Payload (lbs) | 1,583 |
Nissan invented the compact truck here in America with the release of the 220 truck chassis in 1959—ever since they have remained the leader in making small trucks that deliver big experiences. The modern Nissan Frontier is a midsize truck that continues this remarkable tradition by offering incredible features, robust power, and bold performance designed to tackle just about anything you throw at it. Since plenty of competition is out there these days, it can be tempting to wonder if any other truck comes close to what this one offers, but looking at the 2023 Nissan Frontier vs 2023 Honda Ridgeline quickly reveals the Frontier is still king.
For starters, you get a more powerful engine in the Frontier than the Ridgeline, which not only brings more power to the road but also gives you the ability to get a lot more done. We are not talking about a minuscule difference either: the 2023 Nissan Frontier features a 3.8L V6 engine that delivers 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, while the Ridgeline has a 3.5L V6 with just 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers translate into different driving experiences that make the Nissan a more rewarding time on the road; plus, you can choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with the Frontier, while the Ridgeline is only offered with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Not only do you get a superior driving experience with the Frontier compared to the Honda Ridgeline, but you can tackle more with the Nissan pickup. Thanks to its more-powerful engine, the 2023 Frontier can handle up to 6,690 lbs of towing capacity and more than 1,600 lbs of payload, while the Ridgeline tops out at just 5,000 lbs of towing and about 1,580 lbs of maximum payload. The difference in payload might be fairly small, but the available 73-inch bed on the Frontier gives you much more room to load up with than the Ridgeline's 64-inch bed. Plus, the Nissan model has a more refined interior with an impressive 9-inch infotainment display and a 10-speaker Fender Premium sound system available, compared to the sole 8-inch screen and 8-speaker sound system Honda offers.
Some people might feel that things like engine output and overall performance only really matter with a full-size truck, but we disagree. Any pickup you choose needs to have an excellent engine that not only makes it enjoyable to drive—the last thing you want is a truck that struggles to get uphill—but also ensures you can handle everything you need to be able to do. The Honda Ridgeline has a pretty good engine packed into it, but it simply cannot keep up with the power that Nissan brings to the road.
The 2023 Nissan Frontier features a 3.8L V6 engine that delivers an impressive 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission to provide a smooth and responsive driving experience that adjusts to what you need from it quickly and in any situation. RWD is standard on the Frontier, but you can choose 4WD for improved traction in slippery road conditions—this is perfect for dealing with rough winters that bring a lot of snow and spending much time driving on dirt or gravel roads.
With the 2023 Ridgeline, Honda has packed in a 3.5L V6 engine, which you can see has a smaller overall displacement than the Frontier's engine, providing 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. That is a significant difference in power—the Nissan Frontier's engine puts out more than 10% more horsepower—which you can actually feel when you are on the road. Honda has also paired their engine with a 9-speed automatic, which is good, but AWD is the only option with the Ridgeline. Overall, the Ridgeline offers a fine but not exceptional experience, while Nissan has ensured the Frontier has terrific power and bold performance.
We will admit that things like towing and payload might not be quite as important to every midsize truck driver as they tend to be for fans of full-size pickups. That being said, you still need a truck that can handle the work that you need it to be able to do, even when that work is you enjoying your day off. For us, half the reason to own a truck is for the kinds of things it can do that most other vehicles cannot, which largely comes down to towing and payload, along with having a large enough bed that you can load it up with everything you need to take with you.
The 2023 Nissan Frontier not only provides you with fantastic capability and muscle but also gives you great options for how you have it configured. For starters, the powerful engine of the Frontier allows it to handle up to 6,690 lbs of towing capacity and 1,610 lbs of maximum payload capacity. In addition, you have two different cab sizes to choose from—a standard King Cab or a more spacious Crew Cab—along with two bed lengths. The standard bed measures about 60 inches in length, while the available Long Bed comes in at more than 73 inches in total length to provide you with plenty of room for everything you need.
While the Honda Ridgeline can handle a fairly impressive amount of weight, it still falls short of what the Frontier can do in every category. For starters, it tops out at just 5,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity and up to 1,583 lbs of maximum payload. To be fair to Honda, the payload is close to what the Frontier offers, but you can get more than 33% greater towing from Nissan's truck than the Ridgeline, which is massive. In addition to this, the Ridgeline has just one cab size available and only one bed, which measures 64 inches in length, nearly 10 inches shorter than the Frontier's Long Bed.
Over the past decade or so, the features you can find inside trucks have become far more impressive than ever before. Gone are the days of barebones truck interiors that almost felt like a punishment for choosing the impressive power and capability they had to offer. The 2023 Nissan Frontier perfectly illustrates this, with impressive features and technology found throughout the interior—the Honda Ridgeline does its best but fails to keep up. While standard features between those two trucks are often similar, looking at what Nissan has available for the Frontier makes it the clear winner.
For example, the Ridgeline starts with push button start, cruise control, and a steering wheel with illuminated controls. In addition to this, the Honda truck has a comfortable interior with nice seating and an 8-inch infotainment display. A 7-speaker sound system is standard, which is good, and while an 8-speaker audio system with a subwoofer is available, that could be better, and there is no option for a larger infotainment screen.
By comparison, the 2023 Nissan Frontier starts with impressive features like remote keyless entry with push-button ignition, a 7-inch Drive-Assist display for the driver, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Where the Frontier really takes the lead, however, is with its available features that include a gorgeous 9-inch infotainment screen and a 10-speaker Fender Premium sound system that goes far beyond what is available in Honda's truck. Similarly, while both trucks are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, only the Ridgeline has wireless compatibility for both systems. This gives you a superior driving experience with much more for you to take advantage of and enjoy while on the road.
While some people need a full-size truck to handle their work, for many of us, a midsize pickup is the perfect option—all it takes is one look to see that the 2023 Nissan Frontier is an unsurpassed truck with incredible power and features to offer. Whether you need something to help you get your work done, haul a boat to the lake for the weekend, or run errands when you need it, the Nissan Frontier is ready to deliver. This is a midsize truck with the spirit of a much larger option, ready to tackle anything you need; plus, with Nissan's incredible reputation for reliability, you are getting a truck you know you can rely on for many years.
Here at Illini Nissan, we are incredibly pleased to be able to offer the Frontier and the rest of Nissan's amazing lineup of cars, trucks, and SUVs. With everything it has to offer, the Nissan Frontier has been earning a legion of fans for decades. With the incredible power and features of the 2023 model, there has never been a better time than now to experience this truck for yourself. No matter what you need your midsize pickup to be able to handle, the Frontier is ready to deliver; we can help you consider the different options available to you and help you choose the right one to meet your needs. Call or visit us at Illini Nissan today to learn more, and we will ensure you get the truck you have been looking for.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
