Professionals: Distinctive mattress performance; nice on-road experience and dealing with; refined normal all-wheel-drive system; extra household pleasant inside than different small vans
Cons: Controversial design; shallow mattress top; restricted floor clearance; much less household pleasant inside than crossover SUVs
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is sort of clearly not a standard truck. It has extra in frequent with car-based “utes” offered in Australia than the F-150s and Tacomas of this world. When you settle for that it’s OK to be totally different, and admittedly look a bit dweeby, the Ridgeline could make a lot sense. Its under-bed trunk compartment by no means ceases to be helpful. Its rear cabin’s flat ground and flip-up seat backside grant it full-size truck versatility in a mid-size bundle. Its experience and dealing with are far superior to any “proper” truck.
We may go on, however mainly, the Ridgeline will be thought of a substitute for both midsize vans or midsize crossover SUVs. To the latter group, we’re betting there’s fairly a couple of individuals who’ll extra often use the Ridgeline’s mattress and underfloor trunk than the third row of a Honda Pilot, for example. Certainly one of our editors introduced a 5-foot-tall tree house utilizing the Ridgeline mattress/trunk – that was not taking place in a Pilot. Now, there’s not as a lot backseat legroom current, so it’s admittedly much less pleasant from a passenger perspective. And, again to midsize vans for a second, you gained’t have the ability to tow as a lot or go as far off-road.
So, the Ridgeline actually gained’t be for everybody, however it is going to all the time be uniquely interesting for these slotted inside a specific area of interest.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The massive information is the brand new Ridgeline TrailSport, which adopts most of the identical components of the all-new Pilot TrailSport and the lately revealed up to date Passport TrailSport. The suspension will get distinctive spring charges, damper valve tuning and stabilizer bars. The tires are Common Grabber A/T Sports activities. Visually, the TrailSport will get a singular grille insert full with Pewter Grey ending, a shade additionally on the special-to-TrailSport 18-inch wheels and decrease fascia garnish. Beneath that’s added metal underbody safety to go together with unchanged floor clearance.
As for the remainder of the lineup, each 2024 mannequin will get RIDGELINE stamped throughout the tailgate, together with some notable inside adjustments. The devices are new and the infotainment system is up to date to a more recent, faster system with a 9-inch touchscreen and somewhat ledge added on the backside to relaxation your hand whereas making inputs. The middle console was additionally redesigned to increase the phone-holding tray and exchange its minivan-like heart bin and seat-mounted armrests with a smaller however extra standard bin and cantilevered armrest/cowl.
What are the Ridgeline inside and in-car expertise like?
The Ridgeline relies on the previous-generation Honda Pilot, and the inside from the B pillars ahead clearly reveals it. It was a boring design for a three-row household crossover, and it continues to be an actual unhappy trombone for a pickup. Supplies and construct high quality are at the least excellent for a pickup on this value vary. There have been adjustments made for 2024 (which have been shared with the also-related Honda Passport), however they fall into the “functionality” folder as a substitute of the “style” one.
Amongst these purposeful adjustments is the brand new heart console. Technically, it’s rather less helpful – you could possibly match a handbag in its central bin earlier than, however you may’t now. Individuals didn’t just like the previous minivan-style armrests connected to the seats, although, so the extra standard heart bin/armrest combo is certain to be extra common. The enlarged phone-holding tray for always-growing smartphones must be universally appreciated, together with wi-fi charging and a grippy floor.
One other enchancment is the infotainment system, which lastly will get a correct improve. It’s not fairly Honda’s newest and biggest, however it has a much bigger display (9 inches), faster responses and all-around higher performance. Is it nonetheless broadly behind the instances? Positive, however it’s simple to make use of, and that’s an important factor for a lot of.
How huge is the Ridgeline?
On the skin, the Ridgeline is mainly the identical size and top as different midsize crew cab pickups. Its wheelbase is not fairly as lengthy, and it has much less floor clearance (7.6 inches), however it’s notably wider. Nevertheless, the Ridgeline’s unibody “crossover” development means these comparable dimensions on the skin don’t translate into comparable measurements inside. Merely put, the Ridgeline cabin is way roomier and extra snug for passengers. You possibly can see this most when it comes to rear-seat legroom, and all that additional width ends in the same benefit in shoulder room. Should you’re contemplating the Ridgeline as a substitute for giant crossover SUVs just like the Pilot or Passport, although, it’s value noting that there’s much less rear-seat legroom and the seat doesn’t recline.
When it comes to storage, the Ridgeline’s again seat has a flat ground (very like full-size crew cab vans and in contrast to the assorted midsize vans), that means it’s extra helpful for storing baggage and different gadgets. The seat backside additionally flips up in a 60/40-split association that means you should use it for individuals and their stuff. Higher nonetheless, you may overlook placing stuff within the cabin altogether. The Ridgeline has a 7.9 cubic-foot, water-tight trunk compartment below the mattress that we discovered can maintain three small suitcases or an entire lot of one thing else (you wouldn’t consider what number of ice luggage it takes to replenish).
The mattress itself is on the market in just one measurement, 5-foot-4-inches, which is in keeping with the brief beds that usually come normal with midsize crew cab vans (it is also for much longer than the cargo areas of midsize SUVs). Its partitions are a lot shorter in top, although. To entry the mattress in addition to the trunk, the Ridgeline options the distinctive Twin Motion tailgate that swings out along with dropping down. We discovered ourselves principally swinging it as you may attain additional into the mattress – the drop-down perform additionally isn’t damped. It must be in 2024.
What are the Ridgeline gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
The Ridgeline certain retains issues easy by providing just one powertrain and drivetrain mixture: a 3.5-liter V6 that sends 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque by way of a nine-speed computerized to a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. You need rear-wheel drive? Too dangerous, the Ridgeline relies on a front-wheel-drive platform. You need front-wheel drive? No, in fact you do not. You are not alone, Honda discontinued that choice with its 2021 refresh.
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system is available in at 18 miles per gallon metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 21 mpg mixed for many trim ranges. The TrailSport returns 18/23/20. That is mainly the identical as different midsize vans, if truly a smidge worse. An all-wheel-drive Honda Pilot is just about an identical, although.
What is the Ridgeline prefer to drive?
The Ridgeline has indubitably the smoothest experience and finest on-road dealing with of any midsize pickup. It even has a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which shunts energy to every rear wheel to enhance dealing with and traction. Principally, the Ridgeline drives extra like a crossover than a body-on-frame truck – as a result of that is precisely what it’s. The experience is somewhat firmer than a Pilot or Passport’s (particularly with the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires), however each Ridgeline is a really civilized pickup to drive.
There are, in fact, downsides. Its 7.6 inches of floor clearance is not even excessive for a crossover, and whereas its all-wheel-drive system, off-road driving modes and HPD bundle upgrades make it surprisingly succesful off the crushed path, it might probably’t contact even the extra primary variations of midsize vans. Heck, even some crossovers have higher floor clearance and functionality.
The identical will be stated of towing capability, which tops out at a slightly weak 5,000 kilos. Its payload of 1,583 kilos is at the least comparable.
What different Honda Ridgeline critiques can I learn?
2021 Honda Ridgeline First Drive
In our first drive of the revised 2021 Ridgeline, we dive extra deeply into the adjustments and get an opportunity to drive it off highway.
Honda Ridgeline Baggage Check
Learn the way many luggage matches within the Ridgeline’s mattress trunk in addition to in its again seat.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Highway Check
We truly use the Ridgeline for a superb, old style truck exercise: hauling mulch.
Lengthy-Time period Honda Ridgeline Check
We examined a Ridgeline for a complete 12 months, and though there have been some updates since then, our impressions (and fondness for it) stay broadly the identical.
2018 Honda Ridgeline and Airstream Basecamp X | A match made in Michigan
We take our long-term Ridgeline on an extended, chilly weekend journey with a mini Airstream
What’s the 2024 Ridgeline value?
Pricing begins increased than the everyday midsize truck, however then Honda doesn’t provide the kind of stripped-down work truck of varied rivals. There are additionally a lot fewer trim ranges than previously, with all offering extra than simply a rise in gear between them. Briefly, the Sport serves because the least-equipped base mannequin, however has “sportier” darker trim in comparison with the next-up RTL that has extra of a standard Honda look with brightwork exterior trim. The Black Version stands out with distinctive darkish trim and purple inside accents, but additionally has extra and/or higher gear, together with ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats, a extra highly effective sound system, rear USB ports and a mattress energy outlet.
New-for-2024, the TrailSport is essentially the most distinctive. Along with distinctive grey exterior trim and wheels, it has all-terrain tires, underbody safety and a suspension with distinctive spring charges, damper valve tuning and stabilizer bar.
All costs beneath embrace the $1,395 vacation spot cost.
Sport: $41,145
RTL: $43,975
TrailSport: $46,375
Black Version: $47,745
What are the Ridgeline security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2024 Ridgeline contains ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help, and adaptive cruise management with steering help. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning are on all however the base Sport. Though it is commendable that these options are normal, they’re a few of the oldest and least refined available on the market. Adaptive cruise management tends to brake an excessive amount of, accelerates again in control too slowly, and the steering help pales compared to that supplied by different manufacturers.
The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration gave the Ridgeline 5 out of 5 stars for total, frontal and aspect crash safety. No different midsize truck can match this. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it the best-possible score of “Good” in all crash exams however the latest small overlap entrance: passenger-side check the place it received a second-best “Acceptable.” The ahead collision prevention system additionally received a score of excellent, however the headlights received a third-best/second-worst rating of “Marginal.”
It additionally received an “Acceptable” score for automobile seat set up and we are able to concur that it’s troublesome to take action (common for a truck, however nonetheless). The highest anchor setup is complicated and will not work with each youngster seat. Be certain to carry your automobile seat alongside on a check drive and, do you have to buy, ensure to go to a fireplace station or another accredited automobile seat fitment knowledgeable to make sure you’ve put in it accurately.