Do we assume there’s something wrong because hardcore pickup folks don’t care for the Honda Ridgeline?
What defines the Ridgeline and annoys traditional truck owners is it drives more like an SUV than a traditional truck. That’s because it’s built on a unibody design rather than a more traditional body-on-frame setup, and has a fully independent suspension. The combination gives the Ridgeline more ride comfort in every-day driving and less noise isolation than most of its rivals.
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is a second-generation model that hasn’t seen a lot of changes in the past seven years. Unchanged the previous two years, the 2024 Ridgeline has introduced the TrailSport trim level and comes with a larger center touchscreen, new digital instrument panel display and larger center console storage.
What critics say about the Ridgeline is it can’t match the rugged off-road capability that rivals like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger possess. When judged against some of its rivals, the midsize Ridgeline truck comes up a little short in hauling, towing and off-road capability.
The Ridgeline might not be a rough-and-tumble truck, yet it can go off-road for modest adventures, thanks to a 7.6-inch ground clearance, standard all-wheel-drive, and a terrain system suitable for snow, sand and mud.
And the more rugged TrailSport model comes with all-terrain tires and a revised suspension that gives it increased off-road capability. A protective underbody skid plate and a different grille design also come standard with the TrailSport.
There’s one extremely “cool” thing about the Ridgeline that I’m not sure any other pickup possesses – it can serve as a huge cooler. It has a 7.3 cubic-foot trunk beneath the truck bed that can accommodate an 82-quart ice chest and has a drain plug, so it’s ideal for tailgating. It also has 2.9 cubic feet of storage space beneath the rear seats when lifted up.
AT A GLANCE – 2024 HONDA RIDGELINE
- Performance: 3.5-liter, V6, 280 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 18-24 mpg
- Price estimate: $39,800 to $46,400
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; Drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; Roadside assistance: 3 years/36,000; Corrosion: 5 years/unlimited
Truck traditionalist won’t be enamored with the Ridgeline’s small cargo bed that’s only 5-foot, 4-inches. But it’s wide and allows the truck to haul 4-foot-wide sheets that lay flat and don’t need to be propped up against the wheel wells. Note the Ridgeline comes in crew cab only.
The Ridgeline has only one engine, a 3.5-liter, V6 that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline can travel 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. It provides a smooth, refined ride. The payload is 1,583 pounds and the towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.
Even though the interior is improved, we admit the Ridgeline could use a technological upgrade. All models come with the larger 9-inch touchscreen that’s relatively user-friendly and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The truck offers good leg and head room for five passengers and a more spacious center console.
If a traditional pick-up is not your thing, a cross between an SUV and a truck like the 2024 Honda Ridgeline could be the way to go. It’s handsome looking, possesses some unique qualities, and is offered at a reasonable price.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.
