In 2006, Honda introduced the Ridgeline, the first “true” truck sold in the United States. It was an early contender in the currently crowded segment of unibody pickup trucks, and it offered a more comfortable ride and a wide array of features most buyers wanted despite their denial. Until 2015, Honda continued to produce the original Ridgeline. The 2017 Ridgeline, following the success of 2016, features updated styling and improved functionality. Honda’s sales of the Ridgeline have fluctuated in the past, causing some to speculate that the automaker will discontinue the vehicle. However, concerns were quickly put to rest when Honda announced that it would revamp the model from the ground up.
The Honda Ridgeline wasn’t designed to replace traditional pickup trucks like the Colorado Ranger or Tacoma. Instead, Honda argued that 18 percent of its current customer base also owns a conventional-brand truck and would gladly swap brands if given a chance. By putting the Ridgeline on the same chassis as the Pilot SUV, Honda can be an alternative to traditional pickup trucks that drive cars and have more superior space without sacrificing utility.
Honda has four different versions of the Ridgeline for 2023. The Sport costs $40,095, the RTL costs $43,075, the RTL-E costs $46,025, and the Black Edition costs $47,425. (The destination cost of $1,295 is included in the total price.) The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine in all trucks makes 280 horsepower and is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that distributes engine output to all four wheels. Honda equips the Ridgeline with intelligent features and a distinctive style to compensate for its lack of the power of its mid- and full-size competitors. For example, a lockable “box” with hooks and dividers under the bed is standard on all configurations, perfect for storing shopping bags and other small items.
The Ridgeline’s “magic” comes partly from its one-piece construction, shared by most modern SUVs and passenger cars. Monocars, unlike those built on a chassis, are founded on a single basic assembly. The Ridgeline’s ride quality and comfort are noticeably better than that of a standard pickup truck, and it feels more like a crossover or large sedan. Despite this, it can still tow up to 5,000 pounds and carry 1,600 pounds. Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick are two competitors that have captured this recipe for smooth, easy-to-use by providing similar experiences in more compact packages.
The Ridgeline’s cabin is just as challenging, thanks to its high level of comfort and practicality. The Ridgeline has convenient cup holders, a large center console, and plenty of space for all passengers. Because Honda only offers this minivan in a four-door configuration, the back seat is exceptionally roomy and pleasant. Regarding cabin space and rear seating, only the Jeep Gladiator comes close; however, it is unsuitable for driving on pavement.
The Honda was not named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, although it earned “Good” ratings in all but one of the categories. Forward missteps on the passenger side contributed to an “Acceptable” rating in the small overlap test. IIHS also gave Truck Lights a Poor rating. But that’s much better than most midsize trucks, which either don’t have as many active safety features as the Ridgeline as standard or perform poorly in crash tests. Besides Nissan, Hyundai is the only competitor, but Hyundai is much smaller.
Honda Ridgeline performance
The Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey have the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the Ridgeline. Before 2020, the truck had a six-speed automatic transmission. That year, Honda updated the Ridgeline and other vehicles with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which was also on the other cars. All models have all-wheel drive as standard, and torque can be directed between the front and rear axles and the rear wheels.
The Honda V6 is known for being smooth and refined, and the truck’s power response is surprisingly quick. Although the six-cylinder engine is quiet most of the time, it does growl when given plenty of gas, and the truck handles well in most situations. The base V6 gives Honda an edge over the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Ridgeline’s main competitor. He’s thirstier but also more robust.
The Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado have four-cylinder engines by default, but both can be upgraded to V6 engines for more money. The four-cylinder models in Tacoma and Colorado are slower than the Ridgeline. But the four-cylinder Ford Ranger is even better. In general, mid-range models with a more standard body on the chassis are better for off-road driving than the Ridgeline, which can handle light road chores but isn’t made for the same kind of fun as the Tacoma, Ranger Tremor, and Gladiator. The trade-off is that the Ridgeline will be better for road driving on the way to and from your off-road excursion than it is now.
Fuel economy
The Ridgeline gets average mileage with the standard option of just one engine and all-wheel drive. The truck gets 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. With those numbers, it’s the most fuel-efficient V6 truck. However, some of its competitors have four-cylinder options, and few diesel engines can be purchased.
Although it gets good gas mileage for a V6, owners have plenty of other options, many of which get better mileage. For example, the Hyundai Santa Cruz gets 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg overall, which is better than the Honda in every situation. In the same way, the V6-engined Toyota Tacoma is only slightly less efficient than the Ridgeline, getting 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The Jeep’s available EcoDiesel V6 gets better gas mileage than the Ridgeline’s gas six but costs more.
The safety and assistance of the Honda Ridgeline driver technology
The Ridgeline has several Honda’s basic and additional safety features, but safety and crash tests have shown that the truck isn’t always safe. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, collision warnings, lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RTL model now comes with blind spot monitoring.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2023 Ridgeline the best possible score of five stars.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) often looks at how headlights are made and how well they work. Ridgeline lost some points because the high beams weren’t strong enough. The group also said finding the LATCH car seat pins was hard because they were deep in the seat. Fitting the car seat in the center back seat was a little tricky. The Ridgeline’s safety equipment is one of its strengths, but Santa Cruz beat it in IIHS testing and was named the top safety pick for 2022.
Comfort and room
The Ridgeline features one of its class’s most spacious and comfortable interiors. The front seats are vast, deep, and have plenty of support, and the back seat is the biggest in its class. Honda ditched the shift lever in favor of buttons, which take up less space. This makes the frontal area look more open and airy. Ergonomics is a Honda specialty, as the truck gives the driver a comfortable and focused ride.
The ride is quiet and comfortable because the Ridgeline is made from a single piece. The truck also has good protection and sound insulation, making the interior warm and cozy. It’s easy to see from the outside. The Ridgeline is larger and has more internal storage space than its standard competitors. The back seat is also more comfortable. The rear seats of the Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma are complicated, don’t support your back, and don’t leave much legroom. Only the Gladiator has roughly the same size rear bench seat, but it’s a giant truck, costs more, and isn’t as quiet or smooth on the road.
Entertainment and information at the Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline has a basic 8-inch tablet and works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard features are Bluetooth, front and back USB ports, and a seven-speaker audio system. The RTL-E model adds wireless charging, a 540-watt premium audio system with navigation, and an in-truck audio system.
The design of Honda’s infotainment system is one of the most complex today. After removing the physical volume button for years, the car company finally brought it back, but it still takes a lot of clicks to do simple things and change settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, which is good news because it means you won’t have to use the classic interface as much. Hyundai and Chevrolet have more user-friendly and less distracting interfaces, but Toyota’s older infotainment system continues to be Tacoma’s weak point.
Cargo and storage space
The Ridgeline is a handy truck inside and out because Honda put in many small storage areas and other small rooms. The cup holders are large enough for US-sized beverage cups, and the middle seat can hold a bag or even a small tablet. There’s also plenty of storage in the door pockets, and when the rear seats are folded down, there’s just enough space for a bike.
Even though the bed is only 5.3 feet high, which is lower than others, Honda added a few innovative features to make it even more helpful. It has 34 cubic feet of storage room; the trunk is 7.3 cubic feet and is weatherproof. The bed measures 50 inches on wheels, more significant than any other truck in its class. The mattress on the Ridgeline is about a foot shorter than the one on the Santa Cruz. The bed in Tacoma is five feet shorter. Colorado’s bed is 5.1 feet long, slightly faster than the Honda’s.
Style and design
People have said the Ridgeline isn’t “tricky” enough, but that will change in 2021. When you add in the add-on HPD package, Honda’s excessive black plastic body covering is particularly annoying, but the car still looks tough.
The interior may not be as pretty as a full-size American pickup truck, but it has excellent visibility, is comfortable, and is well-designed. Honda has done enough to make it seem more functional than style, but the truck’s cozy cabin doesn’t need much flash to look good. The Tacoma and Colorado look more like standard trucks than the Ridgeline. Santa Cruz differs from others in this group because of its crossover-like shape and small exterior dimensions.
Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline worth it?
The highest-level Honda Ridgeline parts cost around $50,000. With the standard inclusion of all-wheel drive and other “truck stuff” across the board, consumers can save money by not opting for the higher-end model. The RTL is a great buy compared to the rest of the range since it has premium touches like leather and a sunroof at no extra cost.
Even if you find Honda’s prices prohibitive, you should know that competing trucks in the Ridgeline segment can also be quite pricey. The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is a capable off-roader, but it costs more than $50,000 before adding the diesel engine cost.
How much does Honda Ridgeline insurance cost?
Ridgeline has a somewhat higher premium than its competitors. Our research shows that a 30-year-old woman with a clean driving record can expect to pay an annual dividend of $1,881, but that’s the national average in all 50 states. The Chevrolet Colorado is $1,726, the Ford Ranger is $1,718, the Toyota Tacoma is $1,653, and the Jeep Gladiator is $2,000.
Our conclusion
The Honda Ridgeline is a fantastic car that offers its owners high comfort and convenience. It rivals a few midsize vehicles that provide more excellent capabilities in size and price. Still, the Ridgeline stands out with its fun driving experience and reasonably quiet interior. 60% of the population needs 90% of a truck’s capacity, whether they know it or not.
