What’s your response when you hear the phrases “unibody mid-sized truck?” Probably the identical as mine after I heard we have been doing a automobile evaluate for the 2024 Honda Ridgeline AWD Trailsport. “Hurray, great,” I believed hesitantly. Having little to no expertise with the Ridgeline, I had assumed it was simply an SUV attempting to be one thing it’s not. What area of interest did this fill? Why not simply purchase a full-size truck? Or even a spacious full-size SUV? Well, after perusing round city and getting conversant in it, I began to see some attraction. However, an enormous query remained: does it justify its price ticket of $44,980?
The 2024 Ridgeline comes with a single engine possibility: a 3.5L VTEC V6 that delivers 280 horsepower, paired with a 9-speed computerized transmission. Fuel effectivity is rated at 18 mpg within the metropolis, 23 mpg on the freeway, and a mixed 20 mpg. Nice! I recognize the actual fact they didn’t throw a 4-cylinder in there. The Ridgeline debuted in 2005 and shortly sparked controversy as a unibody mid-size truck in a market dominated by body-on-frame opponents just like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. With a 5,000-pound towing capability, it falls brief by 2,000 to 2,500 kilos in comparison with the Ford Ranger.
Every Ridgeline contains a four-door crew cab and a five-foot mattress. The Trailsport trim provides some distinctive parts like a better-looking entrance grille with additional badging, entrance and rear parking sensors, 18-inch alloy wheels, and 245 all-terrain tires. Our Ridgeline paint was sharp, with a sparkle within the solar. Honda calls it Radiant Red M II. One factor I discovered a bit odd was the physique strains appear to imitate a body-on-frame design. They’re purely aesthetic! Honda, who’re you attempting to idiot? The truck mattress is the place I began to note the Ridgeline could, in actual fact, be cool. Honda claims it’s the one automobile in its section that may carry a four-foot-wide plank of plywood with out hitting the wheel wells. That’s as a result of the mattress is shallow, laying above the wheel wells. Its mattress measures 5.3 toes, matching opponents’ brief beds however with a decrease quantity of 34 cubic toes (concerning the quantity of a big fridge). The dual-action tailgate added far more practicality than I used to be anticipating. The mattress even lifts up, revealing a 7.7 cu ft in-bed trunk that includes drainage plugs, that means it’s received potential for some severe tailgating throughout soccer video games.
The Trailsport trim provides fake leather-trimmed seats with the Trailsport brand (10-way energy for the motive force, 4-way for the passenger), all-season ground mats, a 7-inch half-analog digital show resembling the Honda Pilot’s, and a 9-inch touchscreen show, which is 1-2 inches bigger than earlier Ridgelines. Even although I used to be stoked for the heated seats, at this worth level I might even have appreciated to see a cooling possibility. For ventilated seats, you’ll must go for the Black Edition trim, which is able to price you a bit extra. I can’t rave sufficient about how simple it was to make use of local weather management. No contact screens, simply responsive buttons within the excellent location. Standard options embrace beneficiant rear-seat area with 36.7 inches, which is greater than most mid-size rivals. At evening, the orange Trailsport ambient lightning made the expertise a bit extra thrilling.
My first temporary drive across the block left me unimpressed. However, as I spent extra time with it, I grew to understand its options and driving dynamics. The Ridgeline is easy, offering what you want with out pointless frills. The braking is clean, the facility supply is there, it feels light-weight, and the local weather management and infotainment programs are user-friendly. The automobile provides the perfect of each worlds between truck and SUV options, with minimal physique roll and a secure, comfy journey. One downside is the dearth of 360-degree cameras, making parking difficult, particularly in comparison with the bigger Toyota Tundra we reviewed. However, its nimbleness compensates for this shortcoming. With a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds, it’s not the quickest, however it holds its personal. The clean journey and car-like steering are because of its underpinnings borrowed from the Honda Odyssey minivan. Yes, I stated minivan.
Our 2024 Honda Ridgeline AWD Trailsport got here out to a complete of $46,830. It’s a bit costlier however provides respectable inside and exterior upgrades. I might have most popular just a few extra “trail-oriented” options, as that is the “Trailsport,” however there’s solely a lot you are able to do with a unibody truck. I nonetheless really feel as if they may have executed extra. It’s as in the event that they began constructing a trail-oriented truck however stopped midway via the method. However, the mattress’s utility and space for storing surpass these of the Maverick and Santa Cruz. While its look is funky, it has the potential to look hanging with a carry and aftermarket wheels. So, who’s this truck made for? I imagine it will be a alternative for these dwelling in inside cities and even close to faculty campuses. The nimbleness it brings to the desk is unmatched for a truck. Is it definitely worth the worth? We’d love to listen to your ideas. Remember, every thing is subjective.
