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A feeling of déjà-vu
Staying with the interior, those who know the model – and the brand - will find a pretty familiar environment. The dashboard features much the same layout of controls as the outgoing model, and the same as in the Pilot and Passport, two SUVs based on the same platform as the Ridgeline.
In fact, I got a distinct "old school" vibe from the vehicle. While the latest- trendiest models currently launching on the market are all about touch-sensitive buttons and curved screens, here the dash and central console are full of traditional buttons. Which isn't necessarily a criticism after all! It's easy to find your way around. But the “old-school” approach here goes so far as to make the Ridgeline feel old-fashioned, almost, certainly completely distinct in its philosophy from the new Civic, for example.
The touchscreen, located in the middle of the dashboard, has decent graphics, but next to the best systems in the industry, Honda's system still needs some improvement.
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Good for 95 percent of roads
Fans of rugged pickup trucks are not the most ardent fans of the Honda Ridgeline in general, mainly because it doesn't use a ladder frame. Instead, the Honda truck, like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz that it inspired, uses a unibody chassis. This architecture gives the Ridgeline an SUV-like ride, one pretty far removed from the experience of a good old-fashioned pickup truck.
The Ridgeline's suspension was quickly put to the test on the crevassed roads that characterize Canada in the early spring, and, not surprisingly, it never flinched. No question, the ride is a lot less bouncy than in a Toyota Tacoma, for example. So yeah, the Ridgeline doesn't have the same load or towing capabilities as its main class rivals, but for smoothness of ride, the Honda wins hands down.
Also unlike other mid-size pickups, the Ridgeline doesn't offer the option of two-wheel drive to save owners pain at the pump. Instead, the Ridgeline's in-house all-wheel drive system is always on, which does have the benefit of ensuring a more reassuring ride.
Is the Ridgeline a fun vehicle to drive? I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a standout in this regard, but it's fair to ask how many pickup buyers are really thinking about this aspect when shopping of a vehicle. And while you’re not likely to see many Ridgeline owners venture out on really rough terrain, the Ridgeline is capable of handling it, to a degree. For a “soft” truck, the Ridgeline really has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of its off-road capabilities.
Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Ridgeline Sport AWD
Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Ridgeline EX-L AWD
Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Ridgeline Touring AWD
Specifications sheet of 2022 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition AWD
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The last word
After all these years, the Honda Ridgeline has changed this year, but hasn't really changed. It's still as flexible and different as ever, and that's probably what makes it so appealing, even if its styling is a bit too conservative for some. Powerful, reliable and comfortable, the Honda truck may have unknowingly contributed to the new compact truck category, even as it remains the black sheep of its segment.
We like
The smooth ride
The efficiency of the all-wheel drive system
The flexibility of the V6 engine
We like less
The design is a little too low-key
Not exactly a bargain at $53,000+ (Touring version)
Lack of a true off-road trim in the lineup
The competition
Chevrolet Colorado
Ford Ranger
GMC Canyon
Jeep Gladiator
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma
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