Professionals: Distinctive mattress performance; nice on-road journey and dealing with; refined commonplace all-wheel-drive system; extra household pleasant inside than different small vans
Cons: Controversial design; shallow mattress peak; restricted floor clearance; much less household pleasant inside than crossover SUVs
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is sort of clearly not a traditional truck. It has extra in widespread 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 journey and dealing with are far superior to any “correct” truck.
We may go on, however principally, the Ridgeline will be thought-about an alternative choice to both midsize vans or midsize crossover SUVs. To the latter group, we’re betting there’s fairly a couple of individuals who’ll extra incessantly use the Ridgeline’s mattress and underfloor trunk than the third row of a Honda Pilot, as an example. One among 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 definitely gained’t be for everybody, however it can at all times be uniquely interesting for these slotted inside a specific area of interest.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish 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 similar 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 Normal Grabber A/T Sports activities. Visually, the TrailSport will get a singular grille insert full with Pewter Grey ending, a coloration additionally on the special-to-TrailSport 18-inch wheels and decrease fascia garnish. Under 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 slightly ledge added on the backside to relaxation your hand whereas making inputs. The middle console was additionally redesigned to develop the phone-holding tray and exchange its minivan-like middle bin and seat-mounted armrests with a smaller however extra standard bin and cantilevered armrest/cowl.
What are the Ridgeline inside and in-car know-how 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 not less than 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 “performance” folder as an alternative of the “type” one.
Amongst these practical adjustments is the brand new middle console. Technically, it’s rather less helpful – you may match a handbag in its central bin earlier than, however you may’t now. Folks didn’t just like the previous minivan-style armrests connected to the seats, although, so the extra standard middle bin/armrest combo is bound to be extra widespread. The enlarged phone-holding tray for always-growing smartphones needs to 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, nevertheless it has an even bigger display screen (9 inches), faster responses and all-around higher performance. Is it nonetheless broadly behind the occasions? Positive, nevertheless 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 principally the identical size and peak as different midsize crew cab pickups. Its wheelbase is not fairly as lengthy, and it has much less floor clearance (7.6 inches), nevertheless it’s notably wider. Nevertheless, the Ridgeline’s unibody “crossover” building means these comparable dimensions on the skin don’t translate into comparable measurements inside. Merely put, the Ridgeline cabin is much roomier and extra comfy for passengers. You possibly can see this most when it comes to rear-seat legroom, and all that additional width ends in an identical benefit in shoulder room. Should you’re contemplating the Ridgeline as an alternative choice to 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 similar to full-size crew cab vans and in contrast to the assorted midsize vans), which means it’s extra helpful for storing baggage and different objects. The seat backside additionally flips up in a 60/40-split association which means you should utilize it for folks 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 refill).
The mattress itself is obtainable in just one measurement, 5-foot-4-inches, which is per the quick beds that usually come commonplace 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 peak, 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 operate additionally isn’t damped. It needs to be in 2024.
What are the Ridgeline gasoline economic 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 a nine-speed automated to a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. You need rear-wheel drive? Too unhealthy, 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 possibility with its 2021 refresh.
EPA-estimated gasoline economic 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 principally the identical as different midsize vans, if truly a smidge worse. An all-wheel-drive Honda Pilot is just about similar, although.
What is the Ridgeline wish to drive?
The Ridgeline has indisputably the smoothest journey 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 journey is slightly 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 will 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 mentioned of towing capability, which tops out at a relatively weak 5,000 kilos. Its payload of 1,583 kilos is not less than comparable.
What different Honda Ridgeline evaluations 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 street.
Honda Ridgeline Baggage Take a look at
Learn how many luggage suits within the Ridgeline’s mattress trunk in addition to in its again seat.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Highway Take a look at
We truly use the Ridgeline for an excellent, old school truck exercise: hauling mulch.
Lengthy-Time period Honda Ridgeline Take a look at
We examined a Ridgeline for a whole yr, 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 a protracted, chilly weekend journey with a mini Airstream
What’s the 2024 Ridgeline value?
Pricing begins increased than the standard midsize truck, however then Honda doesn’t provide the kind of stripped-down work truck of assorted rivals. There are additionally a lot fewer trim ranges than prior to now, 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 crimson inside accents, but in addition 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: $41,145RTL: $43,975TrailSport: $46,375Black Version: $47,745
What are the Ridgeline security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2024 Ridgeline contains ahead collision warning, automated 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 commonplace, they’re a number 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 provided by different manufacturers.
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration gave the Ridgeline 5 out of 5 stars for general, 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 assessments however the latest small overlap entrance: passenger-side take a look at the place it received a second-best “Acceptable.” The ahead collision prevention system additionally received a score of fine, however the headlights received a third-best/second-worst rating of “Marginal.”
It additionally received an “Acceptable” score for automotive seat set up and we will concur that it’s tough to take action (common for a truck, however nonetheless). The highest anchor setup is complicated and should not work with each youngster seat. Ensure to carry your automotive seat alongside on a take a look at drive and, do you have to buy, make sure that to go to a hearth station or another accredited automotive seat fitment knowledgeable to make sure you’ve put in it accurately.