Having grown up on a diet of burly and big American pickup trucks, nobody can really blame US truck buyers for sticking to the tried and tested formula of a body-on-frame constructed pickup truck. But “the times they are a-changin” to quote Bob Dylan, and a slightly different breed of pickup truck has caught the attention of US shoppers over the past years.
This newer breed of trucks utilizes a unibody construction design, similar to that of an SUV, which is more leisure-oriented, providing a more car-like ride and handling experience.
The Honda Ridgeline is one such pickup that has endeared itself to the American buying public.
Our article takes a closer look at the mid-size Honda Ridgeline truck and why it breaks the mold when it comes to pickup trucks.
How long has the Honda Ridgeline been around?
The Ridgeline is Honda's first foray into the North American pickup market, and was first seen in 2005 as the 2006 model.
Fast forward, and the current second-generation model, available from June 2016, shares Honda's "global light truck platform," which is used in the third-generation Honda Pilot SUV, plus other large Honda vehicles.
For the Ridgeline pick-up, Honda made some modifications to the platform that include an extended wheelbase plus upgraded bits to support hauling, towing, and off-road use.
Buyers looking at the latest model get to choose from a lineup of six trim levels: Sport, RTL, TrailSport, Trailsport +HPD Wheels, Black Edition, and Black Edition Two-Tone.
What's so different about the Honda Ridgeline?
The Honda’s appeal lies in its all-around capability. The Ridgeline happily handles most of the tasks owners want from their pickup, but with a more comfortable ride and crisper handling than conventional mid-size pickups, courtesy of its unibody build.
Honda also ensured that its Ridgeline truck delivers the goods by featuring a separate steel frame in its loadbed to enhance payload capacity, along with an in-Bed Trunk® with its unique, lockable, and waterproof storage compartment.
When was the Honda Ridgeline last refreshed?
For shoppers considering a pre-owned Ridgeline, there are a few changes that have been applied to the model years since 2016.
Honda made key improvements for the 2021 model to upgrade the truck's appearance to give it a more boxy, aggressive profile.
The latest Ridgeline models continue pretty much as is, aside from an available black roof on the Black Edition model, and Honda now offers an exclusive Ash Green Metallic exterior color choice on the TrailSport.
Is the Honda Ridgeline a good-looking truck?
As always, looks are subjective when it comes to vehicle design, but the Honda Ridgeline does offer bold and rugged aesthetics.
Only available in crew cab configuration, newer examples of the Honda Ridgeline sport a refreshed front fascia from the 2022 redesign with trim-dependent bold grille mesh designs.
Staying with the front end looks, shoppers can expect features like LED low beam headlamps that offer auto on/off and LED daytime running lights, along with LED fog lamps.
The rear of the Honda sees dual exhaust outlets, a stylish Ridgeline embossed dual-action rear tailgate, rear LED tail lamps, and a high rear bumper that enhances the Ridgeline's ground clearance for better off-road capability.
Black moldings protect the Ridgeline’s wheel arches, and alloy wheels are fitted across the lineup.
Interestingly, the latest Ridgeline Trailsport trim is not just a fancy nameplate and is fitted as standard with off-road suspension and all-terrain tires that greatly enhance the Ridgeline's abilities and rugged looks.
How much payload can the Honda Ridgeline carry?
Trucks are all about utility, and the Honda certainly fares well with its maximum loading capacity, which ranges from 1,509 to 1,583 pounds depending on trim.
The Honda’s aforementioned load bed with its steel frame construction measures a useful 5.3 feet and is scratch-resistant, meaning your Honda will look good for longer.
Does the Honda Ridgeline have a comfortable cabin?
Yes indeed it does, well there's really no point to go the unibody construction route and not provide a comfortable SUV-like cabin, is there? The latest changes in the conservative but practical cabin brought a more traditional armrest cubby storage space, upsized cupholders, and a handy Qi wireless charger.
Lower trims see cloth seats as standard, with leather seating being the reserve of more pricy trims. Standard across the range are a 60/40 split Lift-Up Rear Seat with underseat Storage, automatic front power windows, front bucket seats, and a dual zone climate control featuring rear auto climate control.
The instrument cluster is equipped as standard with a 7.0-inch half-digital with a traditional analog speedometer.
The infotainment experience features a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. A Honda satellite-linked navigation system is also available with this 9.0-inch screen.
The Honda offers a seven-speaker stereo as standard, with the option of an eight-speaker stereo system.
Is the Honda Ridgeline a capable towing vehicle?
The Honda is powered as standard by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, along with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system that offers active rear torque vectoring.
The Honda's useful power outputs endow the Ridgeline with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. Buyers in the pre-owned market may have to look at the more traditional body-on-frame truck choices if greater towing capacity is a necessity.
How safe is the Honda Ridgeline?
Over and above the usual safety equipment like airbags, ABS, and brake assist, the Ridgeline offers Honda’s Sensing suite of driver-assistive and safety technologies that enhance awareness and confidence on the road.
Features of the system include Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Road Departure Mitigation, which assist with braking, steering, and help drivers maintain a safe following distance.
Find Your Next Pick Up Truck at Tim's Truck Capital
Be sure to contact the team at Tim's Truck Capital when looking for your next pre-owned pick-up truck. Tims Trucks keeps an impressive inventory of pre-owned trucks, SUVs, passenger vehicles, and more to meet all your automotive needs.