The Honda Ridgeline occupies a distinctive position in the midsize pickup truck segment. Instead of following the traditional body-on-frame construction used by many conventional pickups, the Ridgeline uses a unibody platform derived from Honda's SUV architecture. This design gives the truck a different combination of ride comfort, handling, interior space, cargo utility, and towing capability.
The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck designed around a unibody construction rather than a conventional body-on-frame architecture.
A traditional pickup generally separates the body from a heavy frame. The Ridgeline instead integrates the body and frame into a single structural unit.
This approach provides several characteristics that distinguish the Ridgeline from many competitors:
The result is a pickup intended to balance utility with everyday road manners.
The current Ridgeline uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque.
Power is sent through a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system.
The V6 provides enough output for highway acceleration, carrying cargo, and recreational towing. The Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Rather than emphasizing maximum towing capacity, the truck's engineering focuses on a combination of towing capability, ride comfort, traction, and everyday usability.
The nine-speed automatic transmission is designed to provide smooth acceleration and relaxed cruising at highway speeds.
All-wheel drive is a major part of the Ridgeline's capability.
Honda's i-VTM4 system can distribute torque between the front and rear wheels while also managing torque between the rear wheels.
The system includes selectable driving modes designed for different conditions, including:
These settings can alter how the vehicle manages traction depending on road and terrain conditions.
All-wheel drive can be particularly useful when driving on wet roads, loose surfaces, gravel, snow, or uneven terrain.
One of the most significant differences between the Ridgeline and traditional pickups is its unibody architecture.
The structure combines the body and frame into an integrated unit.
This construction can provide several advantages for everyday driving.
The Ridgeline is designed to provide a more controlled ride than many traditional body-on-frame trucks.
Independent suspension and the integrated structure help reduce some of the harshness associated with heavier truck platforms.
The design contributes to predictable handling during normal road driving.
For people who use a pickup primarily for commuting, family transportation, weekend travel, and occasional hauling, these characteristics can be especially useful.
The Ridgeline's design also gives it a relatively approachable cabin and cargo-bed configuration compared with some larger pickups.
The Ridgeline has a five-seat cabin with a layout designed around daily practicality.
Depending on trim level, interior features can include:
The interior emphasizes comfort rather than the rugged, utilitarian appearance found in some traditional pickup trucks.
The rear seat is another important part of the design. The 60/40 split lift-up rear seats can be raised to create additional interior storage space.
This creates flexibility when transporting items that are too valuable, fragile, or weather-sensitive to place in the truck bed.
The cargo bed is one of the Ridgeline's strongest features.
The bed is designed with a relatively flat floor and limited intrusion from the wheel wells, creating useful space for larger items.
The truck bed can handle common household and recreational cargo such as:
The composite bed material is designed to resist scratches and everyday wear.
One of the most recognizable Ridgeline features is the lockable In-Bed Trunk.
This storage compartment is positioned underneath the rear portion of the cargo bed.
It provides a separate enclosed space for items that should not remain exposed in the main bed.
The compartment can be useful for:
The compartment also includes a drain plug, allowing it to serve as a temporary storage area for wet equipment or ice under appropriate conditions.
This feature gives the Ridgeline a type of storage flexibility that is unusual among pickup trucks.
The Ridgeline's dual-action tailgate can open in two directions.
It can open downward like a conventional pickup tailgate or swing outward from the side.
The downward position makes it easier to load long or heavy objects.
The side-opening position provides easier access to the cargo bed and the In-Bed Trunk.
This design can be useful when loading smaller objects because it allows easier access to the rear portion of the bed.
The Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly configured.
That capacity is suitable for many recreational and household applications, including:
However, towing requirements vary significantly.
Trailer weight is only one consideration. Tongue weight, cargo inside the vehicle, passengers, trailer brakes, hitch equipment, road conditions, and payload must also be considered.
The truck's 5,000-pound maximum should therefore not be interpreted as a universal recommendation for every trailer.
Towing and payload are separate measurements.
Payload refers to the total weight carried by the vehicle, including:
A truck can have a substantial towing rating while still having a payload limit that must be carefully observed.
Checking the vehicle's specific certification label and owner's documentation is important when calculating a safe load.
The TrailSport version adds equipment intended for drivers who regularly travel on rougher surfaces.
The TrailSport configuration includes features such as:
The TrailSport is designed for light off-road use rather than extreme rock crawling.
Its unibody construction, moderate ground clearance, and overall design make it different from heavy-duty off-road trucks built around body-on-frame platforms.
For dirt roads, gravel trails, camping routes, muddy access roads, and similar conditions, the TrailSport equipment can provide additional capability.
Fuel economy depends on driving conditions, traffic, weather, cargo, tire pressure, driving habits, and terrain.
For the current Ridgeline, EPA ratings are approximately 18 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway, although actual fuel consumption can differ.
The V6 engine provides useful power but does not deliver the fuel economy associated with smaller four-cylinder engines or hybrid pickups.
Drivers who spend significant time towing or carrying heavy loads can also expect fuel consumption to increase.
The Ridgeline includes several technology features intended for daily driving.
A 9-inch touchscreen is used for the infotainment system.
Depending on trim, technology can include:
The infotainment system is positioned within easy reach of the driver and front passenger.
Modern Ridgeline models include a broad collection of driver-assistance technologies.
Honda Sensing technology includes features such as:
Other features can include blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring depending on trim.
A multi-angle rearview camera also assists with parking and trailer alignment.
Driver-assistance systems are designed to supplement attentive driving rather than replace it.
The Ridgeline uses four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension.
Its handling characteristics are closer to those of a crossover or SUV than many traditional pickups.
This can make the truck easier to maneuver in urban environments, parking lots, and narrow roads.
The relatively controlled ride also makes long-distance travel more comfortable for many drivers.
One of the biggest reasons people consider a Ridgeline is its suitability as a daily vehicle.
A traditional pickup can be extremely useful but may feel unnecessarily large or stiff for someone who rarely carries heavy loads.
The Ridgeline provides a compromise.
It has:
This combination makes it suitable for commuting during the week and hauling or recreational use during weekends.
The five-seat configuration makes the Ridgeline practical for family transportation.
Rear passengers have access to a dedicated seating area, while the rear seat cushions can be lifted to create additional interior storage.
This can be useful when the cargo bed is occupied or when items should remain protected from weather.
The enclosed cabin also separates passengers from equipment stored in the truck bed.