The Honda Ridgeline fits right into the midsize pickup truck market as the original unibody truck. What does this pickup bring that could make it right for you?
We saw a few years between the two generations of the Ridgeline, but the formula didn’t change. The most significant change from one Honda generation to the next is the loss of the strange rear shape. Today’s Ridgeline resembles traditional trucks while maintaining its unibody construction. Of course, there’s more to admire about this pickup than its construction and platform.
You’ll find four trims offered for this Honda pickup
There are several great ways to package the Ridgeline, making it one of the most useful and important trucks offered. There are four trims, each with its own package of great features. The base model is called Sport, followed in order by the RLT, RTL-E, and Black Edition. While the Black Edition version sits at the top, the RTL is the value model and most popular of the group. This single step-up brings you a leather-trimmed cabin, heated front seats, and power-adjustable front seats to give you the comfort and quality desired in the cabin.
You can tow, just not as much as rivals
If you’re looking for a midsize pickup truck that can tow over 7,000 pounds, you’ll need to look for a different truck than the Honda Ridgeline. This Honda can pull up to 5,000 pounds using the only V6 engine that seems to be used for all Honda vehicles larger than the CR-V. The Ridgeline can also carry up to 1,600 pounds, which could be enough for you, but it’s still not as good as other midsize trucks.
Comfort is the name of the game in the Ridgeline
When first created, the midsize truck class was generally thought of as a place to find more efficient and affordable trucks. These trucks were meant to be driven every day by people that only needed to do some truck stuff on the weekend. Honda took things further with the unibody construction. This type of build allows the Ridgeline to feel more like a smooth and comfortable SUV and a lot less like a tough and rumble pickup truck.
This truck continues to have very few upgrades
The 2023 version of the Ridgeline doesn’t have any significant upgrades compared to the 2022 model. The same was true going from 2021 to the 2022 version. Of course, you could look at this as a good thing because this pickup offers a useful powertrain and the various qualities that blend comfort, drive, and performance together in an excellent truck that you’re sure to enjoy driving every day.
This Honda pickup is tops in safety
One of the most important qualities found in the Honda Ridgeline is the high level of safety. This truck received a five-star safety rating, which makes it one of the top models tested by the NHTSA. In addition to this rating, the IIHS gave this pickup a ‘Good’ rating in all five crash tests and a ‘Superior’ rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system. You’ll love how safe and secure you feel when you’re driving this impressive and useful Honda pickup truck.
Off-roading might leave you stuck in the Ridgeline
The new Ridgeline does have an AWD system to handle some light trails, but it’s, not the best truck when faced with mud, sand, or harder trails. If you’re looking for a midsize truck for some serious off-road fun, look to the Ford Ranger Raptor, Chevy Colorado ZR2, or GMC Canyon AT4X. Of course, if you only want a truck that can take you into the field for a quiet night looking at the stars, the Ridgeline can certainly handle this task.
The single-engine of this Honda might not be enough
Strangely, many midsize trucks have transitioned away from multiple powertrains to offer one for each truck lineup. Of course, these trucks are also much more powerful than the Ridgeline. This Honda pickup has a 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission to give you the smooth ride and impressive drive you want to enjoy during your time on the road. This power train offers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is certainly on the lower end of the power band in the midsize truck class.
Honda offers a relatively efficient pickup truck
Most trucks aren’t very efficient, but the Honda Ridgeline brings you enough fuel economy to be useful every day. This pickup reaches 18 city/24 hwy mpg. This number is just as good as the former diesel powertrain offered in the GM trucks. In addition to the fuel mileage numbers, the Ridgeline has an Eco Assist System, which offers information to the driver to show how efficient they are driving and help them improve that efficiency level.
The Ridgeline is the largest unibody truck
If you’re set on avoiding the rougher drive of a traditional truck, you’ll be glad to know this Honda is the largest truck riding on a unibody platform. The other two models that use this type of platform are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Neither of the others can compare to the Honda in terms of power, towing, and size. Of course, if you’re looking to spend a lot less for a truck, the Ford and Hyundai models are worthy of consideration.
Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline a good truck to drive?
Absolutely. This truck is rated as the top model in the midsize and compact truck class by US News & World Report. This pickup has an aggressive V6 engine, standard AWD, and enough power for weekend warriors to haul materials required to complete a weekend project. If you’re looking for a comfortable truck to drive and enjoy, this is the pickup you’ll want to take out on the road.
If you can overlook the low tow rating and lack of off-road capabilities, you might find that the 2023 Honda Ridgeline is an excellent pickup for you to drive and enjoy. Will this Honda be the truck you take home today?
