2023 Honda Ridgeline

Pros:

• The independent rear suspension makes it ride and handle better.
• Large trunk in the bed that can be locked and a flexible two-way tailgate.
• The large crew cab is very comfortable and looks great.

Cons:

• Ordinary trucks need low-range gears or more room under the body.
• Small things that help drivers are a distraction.
• Less ability to pull than the competition

The way the Ridgeline is driven. The Ridgeline’s unibody chassis, utterly independent suspension, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system are all notable strengths. Most people notice that a car-based truck is better when it comes to steering and handling, which no other midsize pickup can beat.

The nine-speed automatic transmission and 3.5-liter V6 engine work well together. The Ridgeline has a lot of power to pass other cars, and it speeds up smoothly on the highway. On our test track, the Ridgeline reached 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is fast for a midsize pickup.

The downside is that it can’t go very far off-road. In this way, the Ridgeline is like a crossover SUV because it doesn’t have the underbody clearance, wheel articulation, or low-range gearing that other 4WD pickups need to go over rougher terrain. But because of its independent rear suspension, the Ridgeline does better on rough dirt roads than a standard vehicle with a single axle.

How good is the Ridgeline’s comfort? The Ridgeline offers the smoothest ride if you’re looking at midsize trucks. It smooths out bumps in the road and rides steadily around corners. The thin but sturdy padding on the front seats is suitable for long trips. The cushions are big enough for more prominent people to sit comfortably, and the strong side bolsters keep narrower drivers from swaying.

The cabin doesn’t shake or make a lot of noise. The V6 is an exception, and when you match the gas, you’ll notice that it’s surprisingly friendly and fun. All of the models have automatic tri-zone climate control, which cools and heats the interior quickly and satisfactorily. On the RTL and higher models, the front seats heat up right away.

How does the inside look? The pilot is friendly with both the driver and the people on the plane. The standard steering wheel tilts and moves up and down, making it easy to move the seat comfortably. The doors swing wide, and the cabin is roomier than any competing midsize truck, making getting in and out a breeze.

From the driver’s seat, the view is excellent, and the squared-off hood makes it easier to find the front of the truck. You can see what’s in bed and the cars behind you because the back window is so big. Standard is a backup camera with a good resolution.

How good is the tech? This year, the 8-inch touchscreen that comes standard on the Ridgeline gets a much-needed volume knob. As a bonus, it’s also stylish and simple to operate. Voice commands work well, but they need to be specific. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can connect to smartphones and use standard voice commands. On the other hand, the seven-speaker stereo could be better. When played at total volume, our tests showed that it had a lot of distortion.

Features that help the driver, like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane keeping assist, are almost always standard on the Ridgeline. The only safety feature you can choose is blind-spot monitoring. If some of the Ridgeline’s systems weren’t so fragile, we’d give it a higher score in this area. The front collision warning system may be sending out too many alerts.

How are the storage and towing going? Only the Ridgeline’s bed can fit sheets that are 4 feet wide without them resting on the wheel wells. When trimmed right, the payload can reach 1,583 pounds. That’s enough for a midsize crew-cab truck, and the bed is big enough to fit gravel, logs, or even two motorcycles. The Ridgeline has a lockable trunk in the bed and an innovative two-way tailgate that opens down or to the side.

If the vehicle is set up right, it can pull up to 5,000 pounds. Even though some trucks can pull more, five thousand pounds is a good amount. If you move a lot, you should get a full-size truck.

The Ridgeline is better on the inside than its competitors. You can always have a little stuff because there are so many little spaces, a big bin in the middle, and a large, flat area behind the back seats. Because the Ridgeline’s back seat is big, it’s easy to put in child safety seats.

How well does it use gasoline? The EPA says that the only model on the market, the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline, will get a combined 21 mpg (18 city/24 highway). That’s less than the four-cylinder turbocharged Ford Ranger but more than the V6-powered Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado. Our test Ridgeline got an average of 23 mpg on our 115-mile test route, which was mostly on highways. This means that the EPA numbers should be close to the truth.

Should I get a Honda Ridgeline? Since there is no longer a model with front-wheel drive, the Ridgeline’s starting price is higher than it was in the past. But for your money, you still get a lot. The Sport trim comes with almost all of the standard safety features, plus smartphone integration and automatic climate control for three zones. Even though the most expensive Ridgeline has a better cabin and unique features like speakers in the bed that can also be used as tailgate speakers, it costs more.

The warranty coverage that comes with the Ridgeline is pretty par for the course, as it includes standard coverage and roadside assistance for three years and 36,000 miles, as well as powertrain coverage for five years and 60,000 miles.

The Ridgeline’s new, rougher look will attract buyers who thought it looked too smooth and polished before. Buyers have always been happy with this type of pickup truck if they needed it more than they wanted it.

Regarding how fun it is to drive, there are two ways to look at the Ridgeline. The first thought is that it’s sad that it can’t climb rocks like a Gladiator Rubicon. The second thing to think about is how much more fun it is to drive every day because its steering and handling are the best in its class. Choice 2 is picked.

You should choose the RTL trim. The price of the RTL is reasonable, and it has excellent features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and high-tech driver aids like a blind-spot warning system.

Honda Ridgeline models:

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline is a midsize crew truck with Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trim levels. All Ridgelines have a 3.5-liter V6 engine with an automatic transmission that has nine speeds and all-wheel drive (280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque).