2020 Ridgeline Off Road
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- The transfer case on the Honda Ridgeline has a slightly higher gear ratio for the rear drive than it does for the front. This, along with separate clutch packs for each rear axle, allows for true torque vectoring. It also has the ability send up to 70% of power to the rear axle with 100% of that power going to either wheel. How does this system work when off-road? Probably better than you think.
Don't let the overheat warning turn you away, I climbed this hill about eight times taking the hardest line at the slowest speed I could before I ran into any issues. This system is very capable and should exceed most situations you would be in, apart from recreational off-roading.
Engine Adventures strives to explore and test the AWD and 4WD systems of all crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. To do this we test vehicles in real world environments in a way that allows viewers to cross shop and explore any vehicle they may be interested in learning about.
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FYI to the author and credit on this comment goes to zroger73 on ROC forums, but...
"He did make a technical mistake, though, when he said, "Without the extra traction from applying the brakes to the spinning wheels, the clutch packs weren’t able to transfer enough power side to side on the rear axle to make the climb." He seems to understand how the system is designed based on his earlier description, but doesn't seem to understand how it works based on this statement. On the Ridgeline, torque is "transferred" from side-to-side by controlling the application of the left and right clutches - not by braking a spinning wheel. Braking a spinning rear wheel on the Ridgeline is counterproductive because it doesn't have an open differential in the rear. The technique of moving torque from a slipping wheel to one with traction only works on open differentials."
Great point! Now I have some thinking to do. When I turned off the traction control there was a lot more wheel spin than when I had it on. Must have been cutting the throttle more than anything. I guess it could apply the brakes on the front wheels, but not on the rear. The clutches can't apply enough pressure to fully "lock" the wheels together which is a major downside.
Do you have the link to the Ridgeline Owners Club forum where this was posted? I'd like to read more about it.
@@EngineAdventures Yep -- www.ridgelineownersclub.com/threads/updated-2020-honda-ridgeline-goes-off-roading-by-pickuptrucks-com.222750/
Thanks!
I just hit 330k miles on my 07 ridgeline. Best vehicle I have ever had by far. Just regular maintenance + new axles due to the lift and bigger tires.
I've owned several pickup trucks over the past 30 years. The most recent truck I sold was a Ford F350 diesel 4x4 that I used to tow a heavy fifth wheel camper. Each vehicle I've owned was a tool to do a job. I only bought that diesel, for example, because it was big, heavy, and had massive torque. Those are things you want when towing a big trailer and it performed that specific job flawlessly. Because that's what it was designed for. When I wasn't towing the fifth wheel the truck wasn't doing what it was really designed for and it was terrible at everything else. Terrible at driving without a full load due to the stiff suspension, terrible at parking, terrible on forest roads, terrible in the snow, terrible ride quality on bumpy dirt roads, and very expensive to work on when things broke.
My Tacoma was far more reliable and easier to park in the city but it rode like a brick too. But hey, it was also a tool that I needed because I wanted to do some hard-core wheeling on the weekends. This truck is regarded by most people as the best off-road pickup there is and with good reason. IF you want to do serious off-roading. I didn't mind the fact that it had a terrible factory stereo, didn't ride very well, had a cramped interior, no storage, somewhat dated looks, (though not as bad as the Frontier), and had a lot of road noise. These days I have ATV's and dirt bikes to go off-road with and the Ridgeline tows my 4,000-pound trailer full of toys like butter thanks to the nearly 300 HP and 9-speed transmission. So now all I care about is having a truck bed to get stuff at the local hardware store once a month (like most people) and one with a quiet interior, a really nice stereo, a plush ride like a Cadillac, great passing power, reliability, and really good gas mileage. All of those boxes were ticked when I test drove the 2020 Ridgeline. I bought this truck after test driving the 2020 Ranger, Colorado, and Tacoma. I felt the Ridgeline interior was substantially wider (it is, by 4") and the overall ride quality and road noise were FAR better than the competition. (no contest) But the truck "trunk" was the number one selling point for me though because I like to carry a lot of gear in the truck and don't want to worry about it getting stolen. We all know thieves will break in if they see any gear in the backseat. They'll also break into truck toolboxes really easily. But most people don't even know the Ridgeline truck trunk exists. It's under the bed by the tailgate, and it's massive. I keep 2 motorcycle helmets, a pair of jackets, 2 pairs of gloves, riding boots, tie-down straps, a hiking backpack full of gear, 4 hiking poles, a tackle box, and 2 fishing rods in that trunk and lock it then close the tailgate. People walk by the truck, see nothing in the bed, nothing in the seats, and move on. Call it a truck, call it a car with a bed, I don't care. I wouldn't attempt to do any serious off-roading in this vehicle but I can say it handles snow and mud on forest roads and mountain trails really well and I've never gotten stuck. As far as what I want from a truck nowadays, there's just nothing else on the road that comes close to this Ridgeline. It does everything it was designed to do VERY well. Do like I did, right before you buy the truck you think you want, test drive the Ridgeline. It will change your mind. That's what happened to me. LOL
@Jack Stein LOL. One item that "might" fail around 100,000 miles? I've seen them go a quarter-million without failing. I'll take that risk.
@Jack Stein
Jack Stein wrote:
"Yea… If you buy brand new with warranty any car is reliable and worth the risk. Purchasing the Ridge Line preowned is like playing hot potato with a live grenade.".
Reply from Unlikely Adventurers:
A warranty has NOTHING to do with reliability. Only an idiot would think that. It's clear you're one of those misinformed people who doesn't actually do any research of your own and only regurgitates speculation you've overheard from other people or from the 2 paragraphs of a 20 paragraph article you read 10 years ago. So let me explain how it really works... If your (whatever other brand) "new car" is a piece of junk but has a warranty that just means you won't be paying for "most" of the repair work but you also won't have a car because it's in the shop all the time. Guessing from your month-old account, I'd say you're probably a kid with no real experience at anything other than sounding like a doofus. I eagerly await your next brilliant comment.
Great review I just got a 21 ridgeline and I’m in love and definitely relate
Hey, RL has nothing to prove. No owners of RL need to try and prove how reliable it is. The #'s support that. It is what it is. Honda is not trying to capture the off road fanatics community and cater to their wishes. RL is for the honest everyday suburbanite/city driver that has a need or want of a small pickup on pavement. Period.
Totally agree
Agreed. But it is still impressive to show what kind of off road capability is has, even if it wasn't designed to be a true off road vehicle. I think these demonstrations are more or less to show off the torque vectoring system's capabilities, and to give potential buyers a sense of comfort that they can get themselves out of most situations where they may get stuck.
@@coytus94 potential buyer of a 21 RL here, this is exactly what I am getting out of this video! Want to tow a trailer and be able to get around in rural town roads and trails without getting stuck
update: I bought it :)
@@Robin-xe4yz me too. 2021 Black Edition :) W00t!
Here's a hot take: This truck is focused on providing exactly what most people actually need a truck for, and through that focus, is exceeds its "more capable" rivals at that set of tasks.
A "real truck" won't ride as well and won't handle as well. 5000 pounds is enough to tow a car or a smaller camper. The AWD system handles a muddy driveway or some snow. Wtf do I as a normal person need a truck for beyond those, that makes me want "real truck" inferior build quality?
I drive a truck everyday never need four wheel drive. The ridgeline seems like the smart choice for 90 percent of midsize truck buyers to me and it would be my choice
I see a lot of reviewers coming in with the mindset of comparing the Ridgeline to true off road vehicles. This is one of the best honest reviews with realistic commentary on what to expect from this truck/suv crossover. Would love to see the perspective of a diy owner with how it carries furniture, materials, and tools vs a suv or other comparable mid size trucks.
Thanks for the support!
I had a tacoma, I put a 9' surfboard in it and it seems to be shorter, but I put a sheet of plywood in there and its def wider. The trunk is a game changer. I put a bunch of stuff to take to the dump in there, no probs
@@EngineAdventures great objective review. Thanks.
Thank you!
You are right
I have a 2018. Been in heavy rain, light mud roads, and some pretty heavy snowfall on paved and improved dirt roads. Never an issue except on a large patch of ice where it never got traction on a road with a slope. Quick pull and it was back. Had I never stopped for another vehicle and kept momentum, it wouldn't have stopped.
Thanks for the input... is yours AWD or 2WD? I have a Passport and it's incredible in snow and ice... Honda makes great vehicles.
@@Ram14250 Was AWD. I now have a 2020 RTL AWD. When your weather is generally mild like here in CA, it's the ideal truck. I love the Passport too and would consider it as my next SUV. Take a look at your local Honda dealer. Mine had a fraction of their local inventory this weekend so glad to have what I have
Look if you need an off road truck buy your F-150 or ram or Chevy but if you need an everyday truck with some off off-road capability then the ridgeline is it
I wouldn’t even think of a full size for off road, too big and cumbersome
I would never think of a Ridgeline.
Again if u need a off road capability truck then the ridge line ain’t it if u need a everyday truck then it’s a ridge hands down
johnfrank tullo ridgeline aint a truck😂
If you want truck-type capabilities than Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota or Dodge it is. If youre a fluffer at a 50 man gangbang, then its Ridgeline hands down.
I'm trying to convince my wife to buy one for her next vehicle so then I can use it too and keep my full size truck for the heavy duty user. She drives a crv currently so this would be a pretty good upgrade to that.
Thanks for watching and commenting! The Ridgeline gets a bad rap, but is a great vehicle.
I have an older RL and came from a similar year pilot. The way they handle is very very similar. That independent suspension does a great job.
I have a 17 Ridgeline and put a 2 inch lift and bigger a/t falcon wildpeak at3w . It is great for overlanding.good daily driver and great for camping trips.
Why don't people compare how a dump truck and a race car handle on an oval track? Maybe because they weren't meant to be compared? So genius car people on yt, stop comparing the ridgeline to a totally different truck meant to be used off road or for towing. This truck rocks for what 99% of truck owners do. Own that and us confident guys will let our nuts hang without our trucks propping us up.
This is a valuable video for anyone considering the Ridgeline for off road or rough road driving. I will not be considering the Ridgeline as a replacement for my Ranger. The Ridgeline is a better appointed vehicle even when compared to the top of the line Lariat. Thank you for the demonstration.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks a lot for all the information given on the different drive modes. There are videos explaining the different drive modes but not showing an actual test drive as this video did. Once again thanks a lot. Best video ever.
Thanks for the support!
This is the most honest and practical truck for the average person, but the pricing bothers a lot of people. A lot of truck owners dont even use or need the power of their "tank". But idk about the automatic. Hondas are known for bad automatics (accords, TL, odyssey), but not still not bad overall.
Such a good awd system. Love these tests thank you. Small lift and better tires would Be nice.
Thanks for watching!
Good explanation of the Ridgie's capabilities.
Thanks for the support!
It seems to be a very good SUV with a cargo bed for everyday use, weekend purchases at Costco and HomeDepot, carry stuffs for the backyard and some home improvement materials, a pair of dirt bikes or a fourwheel... It is perfect for snowy and rainy weather, and a nice vehicle for weekend trips to a the beach and the country side, with some soft off roading, no rock climbing or deep mud pools crossing. Very comfortable, full in amenities and technology, it is even able to tow a small fishing boat ... Most Pilot or CR-V drivers will find this car as a good upgrade.
Honda have never said it is a direct competition of the F-150 or the Tacoma, Honda has been very clear on showing the Ridgeline as an alternative for people that need an utilitarian vehicle with the full comfort of a family SUV.
I see no point on bashing on the product just because it is not a full Off Road Beast like a Tacoma or Gladiator... You want to drive on top of trees, climb the Everest and cross the Amazonas River with your pick up truck, go look somewhere else, it is OK... But for many people, it is a great car, specially for family trips and some relaxed outdoor adventures, as the Ridgeline can take all the bad roads, creek crossing and beach sand most buyers in the category will drive the vehicle across. With All Terrain tires it does way better, and with all the lifting kits in the market now, it can do much more. It is just a matter of taste.
Honda people know their customers, they are not deceiving anyone.
Great video. Technology, Honda reliability, and comfort were more important to me than off roading but nice to know what it is capable of. I love my new Black Edition.
Congrats on your purchase! It is a great truck and I hope if you ever are in a tough weather or offroad situation that you can be confident in your trucks ability.
Agree. I drove one yesterday, a 2020. Does not drive like a truck, solid and smooth over large speed bumps. I am getting one to pull a nuCamp 2900 lb.trailer.( nuCamp 400)
@@ericswenson322 You won't be disappointed. Also, fits in my garage and easy to park. Very comfy on long road trips too.
@@sgt.slaughter8170 We are coming from an Audi Q5..I hope, because of the length, I won't be taking out fire hydrants on corners..Q5 was shorter..HA..
Very impressive...much better than a lot of the compact SUVs
It did better than I expected it too!
I had a 2014 I took it through some Mudd that went up to.the bottom of truck hit the locker mode and got out easily. It's not a rock crawler for people expecting a jeep. Really smooth truck
The unibody design helps keep weight down and the 4wd system is really quite capable. The combination of the two helps the Ridgeline perform much better than people expect.
Honestly I really like the Ridgeline
It's a great truck!
Great camera work, helpful and informative review.
Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it!
@@EngineAdventures I did too. In the future you should try an Explorer.
does well with street tires
Just think of it as a makeover of the old El Caminos with all wheel drive. Wouldn't brag about it getting it up that tiny hill...but it is what it is......great video and nice light duty truck with great gas mileage.
Good for the occasional dump run, or to pickup a "couple" bags of concrete or potting soil. That's about it.
@@jw5031 The payload actually beats other midsizers, and many light duty full size (if comparing similarly configured vehicles). The issue would be the temp spare tire in the bed.
Hi, I purchased a 2017 Honda Ridgeline Touring. The thing is loaded to the hilt.
A very comfortable vehicle, rides very well. Gets descent fuel mileage also.
It is all the truck that I need. I'm not one to pay 50,000.00 for a vehicle, and
then beat it thru the woods. Barry M. Nova Scotia Canada
Thanks for sharing! For me a vehicle is a tool and the Honda Ridgeline is an excellent tool as long as you aren't towing too much or off-roading often!
Wait...you paid 50K for a Ridgeline? Thats too funny!
90% of people buy "real trucks", but use them as just passenger cars. Trucks have become a high priced fashionable vehicle, that mostly gets used for commuter use.
This thing will do it far better then Subaru, Honda's sh-awd with rear vectoring is front wheel biased but can send 70% to rear or 100% to just single rear wheel if needed, it also aids cornering by spinning diagonal rear wheel faster...Subaru has open diffs with abs traction and non lockable center clutch activating only on slip...However both Subaru with cvt and All the clutch working in Honda is only good for slippery conditions and light dirt road terrain, they both overheat clutches in heavier use...But both older ivtm4 and sh-awd are pretty rare systems in segment, ivtm4 is awd with locker and sh-awd is more automatic, but font biased capable sending more to back then front unlike all other just do 50/50
The RAV4 TRD Off-Road and Chevy Blazer both offer dual clutch rear differentials which are very similar to what the Ridgeline has. There are probably others that I'm missing, but as you said these systems are great all weather systems, but their clutches just can't handle the amount of power that manufacturers claim can be sent to a single wheel. Thanks for the view!
The Ridgeline has been on my radar for a while,I do no off-roading other than some basic dirt roads once in a while,I had major back surgery so this will be much easier to get in and out of...I wish for the money it had ventilated seats and wireless charging and especially a damn radio knob!!
I think you would be happy with it! I do hate the lack of knobs for the radio and not sure why they are sticking with this design at the moment.
Wonder if an aftermarket head unit would work with all the features and such?
I thought I would miss the knob. I don't. So why risking having some third-party shop screwing up the electronics for a knob?
The steering wheel. Buttons work great. I hate an all touch screen unit.
I just got my first car (Honda Element) and I love it, but I really want a Ridgeline, but I can't afford it 😭
Such a great channel
Thanks for the support!!
The thing,can do far better than than the driver did on this report.allthough.it was a good demonstration of all the drive trian settings.If you Strattel. many of those little rutts.& use slightly different forward momentum. You would be surprised at how much better it can do .but make no mistake. This is a business man's special. Great for on old guy ,like me .that is dependable safe & can get around in bad weather situations. But I would never take it in even the mildest off road terain.Or push the thing past it's Design limitations .I Am a very happy PROUD owner of a 2019.awd.Sport
The point of my testing is to try and find the limits of the traction control system. There is certainly an easy line up this hill, the Subaru and RAV4 TRD Off-Road both had to take it, but you may run into a hill where the easy line is harder than the hard line on this hill. Ultimately the Ridgeline did very well off-road and made the nearly 70% grade with two wheels not having traction! It surprised me as the previous generation Ridgeline is unable to do even the easy line up this.
@@EngineAdventures well put.
Good review! Could've had a 2019 for a good deal but held out for the 2020 and 9 speed and the manual sequential shift and lower first gear for towing. Love mine, looks identical to yours! ANd for those complaining about no knob on the head unit: trust me, it's not a big deal at all, and you get used to it real fast.
Awesome purchase! I hope it treats you well for the next decade or two!
@@EngineAdventures One thing though: I wish reviewers would mention important design information to silence the "Pilot (or Odyssey) with a bed" trolls, that the suspension components, brakes, bearings are all unique to RL, and are much beefier and more robust by design for "real" truck use. This gets lost in reviews.
Thanks for bringing that up! When reviewing vehicles a lot of these details are missed because of the limited amount of time we have with each vehicle (typically a week) before our next test vehicle arrives. I know I'm missing lots of good things!
just came across this video.. nice honest review. The original all season tires for that year were more for cars. Now that the Ridgeline has been refreshed for 21 and up, and comes standard with all terrain tires, can you do this test again? I'm sure it will be night and day. thanks for posting..
If I can get Honda to send out a media Ridgeline I'd be happy to. This test isn't so much about tires (they do make a big difference) as it is about testing the vehicle's ability to transfer power to the wheels with traction. Thanks for watching and commenting, and I will see what I can do about getting a newer Ridgeline to test!
This! Is perfect! Now I’m gonna check for the previous gen video. Please oh please have it..
Thanks for watching! I haven't had the chance to test an earlier Ridgeline. However, I do have one up of the 2nd Gen Pilot which is similar to the 1st gen Ridgeline.
Agree with your comments. It's okay for basic off-roading AWD driving. The phosphate mines have broke my ridgeline.
amazing for what it is..
The Ridgeline is real nice. The only deal breaker for me is the ground clearance and the exposed oil pan is worrisome. I went with the Ford Ranger. The Honda is a nice vehicle, no doubt. And I'm sure the AWD system is exceptional.
Thanks for sharing your experience. If you're going off-pavement or towing more than 4k-5k lbs, the Ridgeline isn't really the best choice. Other than that it is great, more room and utility than most other trucks out there.
Lift kits are cheap and easy to install. Lol
I ordered my 2022 Ridgline Touring, cant wait to get it..
Congrats on your purchase, let us know how it treats you!
My only nit pick with this truck is the small gas tank.. it only has 19 gallons it should be at least 21. I also wish it had a 4 cylinder diesel option...other than that if i had 50 grand i would buy 1 lol
buy a 5 gal gas can.....................................
@@VIVADUDE07 yeah they also have these portable filling stations that hold 15 gallons now so it's like having another tank in the bed lol
HONDA GUYS If you want to see more off - road videos of the Ridgeline in action , search "Everyman Driver " Off-Road : 2017 Honda Ridgeline . Fast forward to 7:30 mark .
"Fast Lane Truck " Ridgeline successfully climbs Gold Mine Hill with no transmission overheating problems.
Most people , like myself don't buy a Ridgeline to go off road , but it's good to see that they can .
They are also pretty reliable trucks and great in the snow , my "08" is still going strong ( just follow the service maintenance schedule).
A fun video to watch is : "Trying to get a bone stock Honda Ridgeline stuck " .
Honda needs to create an additional "off-road" drive mode that offers sub-modes for manually lockable center and rear differentials.
Ridgeline transmissions overheat so easily. I wish people would stop off-roading these types of vehicles. I’ve pulled out quite a few in my Tacoma
It's not for heavy offroad use and it really doesn't pretend to be a every use truck.
Very interesting 👍
You just did way more with that than I would ever do in it.
Down side for me is I want to tow 5000lbs 6k km every year. Might tax it a bit much. Than again, a good chunk will be out in the prairies.
Cheers
Thanks for watching!
Proof that iVTM-4 really works! Do you think a Passport would do even better? Better breakover angle, a little better ground clearance and less weight.
I tested one before I started doing video and this test hill. I do remember it struggling a little bit on an easier hill though.
@@EngineAdventures that's strange, considering it has the same AWD and transmission setup. Hope you can do a full test with the Passport some time soon :)
@@deepncsu I agree with you, I would think the passport would do better than the Ridgeline. It might do better as my methods have improved significantly over the years and especially since I started doing video.
The D4(overdrive lockout) button acts as a downhill assist and is recommended for use in hilly areas. Or just put her in low.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm guessing with off road tires it would do even better?
Tires certainly help, but the limitations of the AWD system will still be there, maybe just not as prominent.
255/70/17 tires and 1.5 inch leveling kit gives it almost 2 inch extra clearance without compromising handling, mpg and awd. I prefer Honda 6 speed transmission compared to 9 speed ZF which is much more expensive to maintain like 4x the cost for a fluid change. One biggest thing that every owner needs to do is disable VCM with SVCM then u don't get all the issues like oil burning, transmission issue, torque convertor issues and injector issues.
Amazing car but if you wanna 4x4 get a proper 4x4 car. My Tacoma would walk over that without a struggle
I just had a Tacoma TRD Pro, the video should be up in about a month.
Kbl how do you disable vcm or svcm.?
Most trucks in Texas are for leisure and are never used as they were intended. The Ridgeline would actually be more appropriate for the family.
Nice job explaining things...
Thanks!
This video is the perfect example of why the Ridgeline is the best truck on the market. 99.9% of all truck owner's will NEVER tackle anything this difficult*. Which means they'll enjoy the massively better road manners for the life of the truck. (*yeah, this isn't technical offroading by any stretch of the imagination. But that's my point. 99.9% of people will never do anything remotely this "hard").
Thanks for watching and commenting!
There is no center diff like a Toyota. just a transfer case that piggybacks off the front wheel ring gear that sends power directly to rear diff to control clutch engagement.
Right and there is no rear differential either, just a ring and pinion gear with a clutch to each axle. It's easier to explain by just saying center and rear differentials though.
You get a pair of high heels and a years supply of midol with that Ridgeline?
Love,
Truck Gang
I got the midol when I was over at your girlfriend's house, the high heels were suppose to be a present for your moms birthday next month, thanks for ruining it. Maybe I'll just stay the night there too. Your girlfriend seemed pleased, even made me breakfast wearing just my tshirt
Sorry about Trump😂
Mud and Sand Modes lock the rear diff as well as increase throttle response a lot.
I wish it was a true lock and not through the clutches, but it does a pretty good job! Thanks for the input!
Nice 👍🏼 : Honda give it a 2” lift, leave the v6 add hybrid… better mpg, 7,500 towing, locking that system for crawl…. 4” wider, add storage in bed walls… 👍🏼🙏🏼
It does lack in towing and off-roading compared to the rest of the midsize class. However it is the best for on road and not towing. It has the most space in the cab and the bed, it has the smoothest ride, and it gets better fuel mileage than most.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Excellent video!
Thank you very much!
Love these videos...nice work! Would love to see an Acura RDX and MDX do this!
I'll see what I can do!
@@EngineAdventures Thanks ever so much...hopefully Acura will be forthcoming with a few to test. 😇 Again, I really appreciate your hard work...this is very interesting to see various vehicles run your test. I noticed a reference to zroger73 below...that guy knows his stuff. I'd joined the Ridgeline Owners Club (ROC) back when we first bought our 2017 Ridgeline. I've had 33 vehicles over my young 53 years. ha ha 😉 I always appreciate learning or watching other detail folks like Alex Dykes from Alex on Autos...who help me "feel" a lil' more "sane" that I'm not the only other person who cars about lil' details.
@@teknightrider2586 I’ve taken an mdx off-roading in Colorado mountains and mud. Had a/t tires on and it worked surprisingly well
@@Kr0n3kLe Thanks for your note! 😇 I would assume it would do awesome, much more than most people think. My wife's current vehicle is a 2017 Ridgeline with it's torque vectoring i-VTM4 (aka the Honda name for SH-AWD when used on the Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline). I've been blesses to have had owned 9 trucks and "truck based" on frame SUV vehicles...and honestly over the Dodge Cummins; Chevy 2500 Suburban, Ford, multiple Toyota's (Tundras, Tacoma & 4Runner)...I have been the most impressed with my wife's Ridgeline...it always just grips and goes for 90%+ of what "normal people" do day in and day out...and even "off-road" (not rock climbing) the Ridgeline has proven it will NOT get stuck where many of my other "big bad 4WD" rigs have in the past. But also keeping in mind (like you mentioned too). Tires make a MASSIVE divergence...so with my wife's Ridgeline I took OFF the Firestones when it was brand new, and put on Michelin Defender LTX 2's (which are Mud & Snow). So mostly, I was/am curious with the MDX & RDX's shorter wheel bases...how they'd do. As certainly the Ridgeline with its very long wheelbase has been better than anything we'd owned in the past. I remember being to mad at our Suburban being stuck with one (1) wheel spinning and the other 3 wheels not doing a darn thing. ha ha 🤪 (so yea I was a lot younger and not as educated back 30 years ago. Thanks again...appreciate your input!
I have been looking at the Second Gen Ridgeline for a good bit. Thinking of grabbing one this Fall.
Would add a lift kit and change out some tires for more country/farm driving. And possibly an aftermarket head unit to have a knob on there.
The 9 speed makes a big difference for the 2020, I'm not sure the 2019 would have made that climb. The 1st gen can't... Still a great vehicle though!
@@EngineAdventures thanks for the opinion and your advice.
Thought I would miss the knob. I don't and I'm sure you won't.
If you want to lift it, check with Honda first, and don't go above 1.5 inches, any more increases the angle of the CV axles and will void the warranty if drivetrain problems arise a result of the lifts.
Please do the same test on a similar vehicle, a Prius perhaps.
i would love to see this test but with different tires
Different tires would help for sure, but the limitations of the AWD system are still there. My goal is to test the AWD system and push it to it's limits, regardless of what tires it has on it.
@@EngineAdventures o I totally agree..just curious to see how much it improves!
I think thats perfect if you chabge at tire, and if your not really serious offroady guy thing. That truck is road city and offroad track.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Ridgeline owners: “iF yoU JuSt nEed aN eVerY dAy Truck gEt ThE RiDgeLine!”
Also Ridgeline Owners: *pays same price as an F150 and gets worse MPG for basically a van with the back chopped off.*
I’ve had both, I’ll take the RL.
It was a good test.
Thank you!
Honest question: would this truck beable to succeed on the beach in loose sand? Would this beable to keep up with say a Tacoma TRD Sport, or a jeep?
I think this mostly comes down to the tires as both have similar horsepower and weigh roughly the same. Both pretty much have highway tires, but the Tacoma's are wider so they should provide more floatation on the sand. The AWD in the Ridgeline is good, but I would be worried about overheating the system if I were spending a lot of time off pavement.
@@EngineAdventures thank you for the reply. That’s what I was think g too. Honda makes a hell of an engine but I wasn’t sure about it’s capabilities on loose beach sand specifically. I live in NJ we have very very loose sand it’s not compact like other regions
Awesome!
Thanks!
I live my 2023 Ridgeline.....and I own a Silverado to haul larger items for construction but the Honda ridgeline is a truck for most daily use
Thanks for sharing! The Ridgeline is a great truck for those not offroading or towing!
Seems like nobody testing the Ridgeline bothers to change to the approprieiate tires for these tests.
Tires aren't what's being tested here. Look through all my videos and you'll see stock tires for nearly every vehicle tested.
Having the right tires for the terrain is very important! I'm not negating that.
This test is more about the ability of the vehicle to transfer torque to the wheels that have traction. In many areas of this test two diagonally opposed wheels are completely unloaded, so regardless of what tire you use you're not going to get enough traction from the air on those two tires to pull you up the hill. The vehicle needs to transfer power to the other two wheels that have better traction. I will blame the tires if all 4 wheels are spinning at the same rate and the vehicle isn't climbing.
I also don't air down for these tests. While it would be nice to use the same wheel and tire for every vehicle I test, it doesn't make sense in the real world.
Curious about how first gear performs for hill descent purposes. That's one feature I wish RL had, a super low granny-type setting for steep descent.
When I tried it, I immediately had to hit the brakes to slow it down before things got out of hand. I haven't tested a vehicle without low range transfer case that had good slow speed engine braking.
@@EngineAdventures Thanks for that observation. Fortunately most of the USFS and BLM roads I will be using don't have grades steep enough for any kind of hill descent. Would've been nice to have that feature, however.
Its not a serious offroader but honestly who takes there daily driver offroading... nobody. All the tech in this truck is enough to make up for low power and and low ground clearance. Its more than enough for the average driver.
For a lot of people, especially those in the western states, a daily driver needs to be able to take them camping, fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, shooting, hunting, etc. on the weekends. For many it also needs to be able to handle significant snow in the winter time, the level of off-roading that is shown in my videos might be just another weekend trip for many people. I agree with you though, it's more than enough for the average driver, and I was quite impressed with how well it did!
I own a Tacoma. I really love it. But I can see why this truck isn’t too popular. It’s not nice looking. If Honda could make it look the part, more people would buy them. They are more comfortable than the Tacoma, I drove one and it was awesome. Not very manly looking. Just my take on it. Let’s face it, most people don’t offroad
I'm sure that's a big reason it isn't as popular. I prefer function over form, but I know many others purchase a vehicle solely on how it looks. To each their own.
Engine Adventures Well you gotta like your vehicles appearance. It’s like saying, damn my wife is very homely.... but she cooks good and washes my clothes. Doesn’t make sense, right??
Haha, I like the analogy but tools aren't people. I'm not saying aesthetics don't matter, but when I'm buying a tool I make sure it's the best thing for my needs, then maybe move on to which one looks the best.
Engine Adventures okay...to each his own
@Charlie Pryde like I said, they drive great, better than the taco . I would think Honda would make a beefier truck based on their ability to make great side by sides, quads , and dirt bikes. Here in New England, I need the clearance, 4 low sometimes, and a bit more towing than the Honda gives. Out on the muddy trail behind my home I go cut fire wood and pack the truck and after a rain I need 4 lo and the rear lockers. I would ruin the ridge line for sure.
Bummer, tacoma or Colorado is a better bet
Yes they are for offroading or towing, but the bed is bigger on the Ridgeline unless you get the optional longer beds on the other two. It has way more room inside and is much better for street driving. To each his own.
i have a ridgeline for everyday work and i have a modified Frontier for off road.
Sounds like you have the right tool for each job.
You can lift this bad boi and it shud do the trick😁
I don't own the RL but Lmao I love all the hate this RL gets from " truck guys".
This RL does what most " truck" owners will ever do with their vehicles.
Ive owned all of the big 3 and a Titan and this RL does exactly what its suppose to do and more.
Amazing how ignorant people truly are.
It makes for some interesting conversation. Most the time I feel like people are just trolling, but sometimes it seems like they really believe the Ridgeline is less useful than the other midsize trucks.
@ACFM hd
Lmfao your probably right 😂
Is this a FWD? I’m looking at purchasing a new maverick with FWD. I’ve always had RWD trucks so I’m unsure how It will handle off road. Basically on gravel and terrain like this. Not going to be doing any over landing.
It's FWD under normal conditions but it automatically engages AWD as needed. You can also lock it into AWD if you know you're in a situation where it will be needed. If you're not doing anything crazy you should be just fine.
For everyone saying the RL isn't a real truck we have the old generation and we haul Solar panel in the back with the tailgate 100 mile trips almost everyday and it has 300000 mi on it I kid you not bulletproof truck. Yeah the transmission shifts hard sometimes but who gives a fuck I still use it for work and makes money and keeps going
panels* multiple ones fits about ,5 big ones
Question. 6 speed vs 9 speed transmission. The 6 speed is has a lot of love and from what I've read seems to be pretty bomb proof. Surprisingly it is also rated for 1mpg higher on the highway over the 9 speed. I'll be looking to get a used (or possibly new) Ridgeline in the coming months. What are your opinions regarding the two transmissions?
I've only spent a week with each of them, but my take is that if you are towing or hauling heavier loads, then the 9 speed is much better. Having the significantly lower 1st gear makes a big difference! It also helps with acceleration off the line as this engine makes its power high in the rpm range. Otherwise I don't think you can go wrong with either one.
@@EngineAdventures Thanks for the reply! Realistically I think I'll be happier with the better MPG. It is really bizarre to me that even with the lower end power that with an additional 3 gears it doesn't at least equal the 6 speed. Strange!
That is weird to me too, but a lot of vehicles are that way
The Gladiator has solid axles front and rear.
True, the last of it's kind.
What kind of cameras you uses for this video?
Almost exclusively a Go Pro Hero 7, but occasionally my cell phone adds a short clip here and there.
Why are you out of breath? Did you get tired driving the Honda?
Haha, holding the camera too close to my face. I've noticed it in a few videos. I also do walk the steep hill quite a few times setting up the camera and making adjustments.
i could pass you on my 2005 Toyata Camry LE
Probably get up that hill better too...
where in Utah is this? i need to go on this road
It's near Provo, it's only about a mile long, not really worth the trip unless you're doing some testing like me.
is this ridgeline running the stock tires and 18" stock wheels? seems like if you had 1 or 2" taller tires you save a lot of scrapes.
This was a media vehicle, so entirely stock. Bigger tires would help with clearance, but reduce torque getting out to the ground. Without a low range transfercase, I'm not sure which is better on the Ridgeline.
@@EngineAdventures thanks, I hadn't thought of that.
@@EngineAdventures how would one measure the amount of torque lost by say going to a 2 inch taller tire ?
@@seller2001 the stock size is a 245/60R18 or a 29.5" ish tire, say you add two inches with a 265/65r18 or a 31.5" then you would lose about 6.3% of torque getting to the ground. The equation is just current tire diameter/desired tire diameter or 29.5/31.5 in this case. That = .937 or a 6.3% loss.
I am still trying to understand the American need to have a rugged off-road vehicle. Were I live in Africa most of the mods I see on my off road vehicles won't survive in Africa. African roads are generally bad especially in the rainy season so the Ridgeline is more than capable. No one will take his vehicle too far off road you better trek. I have the 2010 Ridgeline and it does everything I want it to do and survive
It depends, for me I grew up right next to the mountains and have spent many weekends hiking, camping, backpacking, etc in the mountains. Most of the roads are passable by sedan, but the risk of damage is pretty high. Other roads are boulder strewn and a high clearance 4x4 is required, often modifications are needed on top of that. This is all in good weather, when a snow or rain storm comes in things can get really bad really quick.
For others, they simply like the look.
Bruh you keep mentioning "wheel spin" with the different driving modes but they change torque distribution with sand mode being the most aggressive rear bias along traction control limited.
That's a good point and I don't know what the power distribution is front to rear in each mode.
Wonder what a lift kit would look like?
Might look good, the problem is when adding bigger tires it effective reduces the crawl ratio, which would put more strain on the AWD system and potentially stop it from climbing the steep grade.
@@EngineAdventures Traxda makes kits for Honda. There is a guy who lifted his Passport and does surprising things with it--he has a You Tube channel.
@@crv20051 and there have been reports of excessive lifting (over 1.5 inches) affecting the CV joints and voiding warranties.
Wow, 8.30 surprised me!! I've never seen a truck that the four wheel drive overheated. At least it tells you so u can give it a break. But come on Honda!! This guy is going up rinky dink hills and the damn Ridgelines 4×4 couldn't handle it. So that tells you that if u get stuck in a mud hole, u better call a tow truck because u will ruin the 4×4 if u try to come up out of a mud hole at high rpms in this truck. Im super disappointed
Very few vehicles have been able to make this climb without a low range transfercase. The Ridgeline did really well for not having a low range. Keep in mind that typically I've climbed the hill a few more times than are shown in the video and I drive as slow as possible in most cases which is much harder on the vehicle than carrying momentum. It took a lot to get it to ask me to let it rest before continuing my drive. The warning is there as a safety and I'd be pretty confident in taking the Ridgeline to some moderately rough locations. One mud hole, not a problem, lots of mud holes back to back will be an issue.
Great review Matt! I-VTM transforms a Honda Odyssey based vehicle to a fairly capable offroader.
Thanks, it really surprised me at how capable it is off-road, especially after testing the previous generation (Pilot) and not being able to climb the easy line.
The Ram TRX is based on the Ram 1500, but has an upgraded...everything. Engine, trans, driveshafts, axles, frame, suspension, body, brakes, etc. Just because they are based on the same vehicles doesn't mean one can't be significantly changed over the other. Maybe it's best to say they use a similar platform?
Zero articulation here. I had an 08 and I spent an hour or more out in the woods with one tire way up in the air, and the other in a small rut. With the vtm4 system giving overheating messages. Solid rear axle truck would have has all the darn wheels on the ground during this whole video. Nice demonstration but that is a system suited for about 5 cm of snow and a dirt road on the way to the cottage. The transfer case had nearly no fluid capacity on that 08. Sorry Honda did not reinvent the wheel here, just fancy marketing I fell for it too.
more car than truck: unibody versus trucks' body on frame
Does it have factory installed recovery hooks
If I remember correctly it doesn't have anything on the front for recovery. On the rear you have the trailer hitch receiver.
So it basically sounds like the torque vectoring rear axle is pretty much useless off pavement.
All the systems with dual clutch rear axles that I've tested have struggled to transfer power while making this steep climb. The Ridgeline has done the best so far. I wish I would have taken the Blazer up this hill to see if its clutches can hold more pressure.
True to the comment below, no need to explain but jeez, at the very least though Honda could of gave the truck a better lift kit, bigger tires so it could have some comparable qualities of say the” TACOMA” for the retail price Honda wants believe me they could had splurged on better accessories
The Honda has a lot more room inside, a larger bed and more storage options. It's more comfortable on the highway and gets slightly better fuel economy. The Tacoma would be my choice between the two for offroading, but it's on road characteristics aren't great. The value is there for both of these trucks, it just depends on what you want.
I want one
Me too. Perfect truck for me.
Me too
B HUFF1951 lets get one
need off road tires and mud & sand mode for off road
Having the right tire for the terrain certainly helps!
What kind of GPS is that? Is that an app?
Just the factory setup, I didn't change or download anything on it.
What's the location for this area? The scenery is beatiful.
Just the foothills above Utah Lake, Utah has a lot of outdoor beauty to offer!
@@EngineAdventures Very nice. This will be on my visit list.
@@EngineAdventures I knew it...I live in Springville and knew it looked familiar. Great review man. My dad had an 07, now has a 2019. He loves them. I'm considering the 2021. Again, well done.
@@THE_SNAPP thanks!
It’s still kind of difficult for me to consider the ridgeline a real truck. Like you said, it’s like a Subaru with ifs all around.. but in a pick up style. Towing is mediocre. And not to mention it’s a unibody vs body on frame like ‘real’ trucks (Toyota, ford, Chevy). I love Hondas, but when it comes to off-road or just Japanese ruggedness in SUVs and trucks, Toyota all day everyday.
I've driven all of the midsize trucks in the past 2 months, except for the Gladiator. Of the trim levels I tested the Ridgeline is the roomiest, most comfortable and has the most storage in the bed and you get the addition of the trunk. If you're towing or off-roading then maybe the Ridgeline isn't for you.
Take your typical truck on a road trip with the family. Then try it in the ridgeline, case closed.
Keep in mind something like the Gladiator Rubicon has a lower payload and towing capacity than the Ridgeline while having worse MPG and comically small bed. Most if the off road trim midsizers have significantly less payload capacity than a Ridgeline.
Can you please do the honda passport. Thanks!
I'll see if I can get another one. I tested one just before I started doing TH-cam, and it performed comparable to the Ridgeline.
Did they finally put the 9 speed in the 2020
Yup they did, I image they wanted to make sure it can handle the heavier loads that the Ridgeline will encounter when compared to the Pilot.
@@EngineAdventures Nice always wondered why the Pilot only had the 9 speed available.
How are y’all getting over 20mph... am I doing something wrong? lol I’m at 18.3 - 19.1 have never hit 20.
and have tried the gas saving option too.
Ivy Zilla just drove 45 miles w cruise set at 55mph (due to construction zone), Econ mode, and got 32mpg for the trip.
Could depend on how far above sea level you live as well. Air density does affect fuel economy.
what mode where you in?
It says just before pretty much every climb was there a specific time you were talking about?
@@EngineAdventures No I saw it. I just didn't wait long enough. Good review thanks.
@@justinfontaine9069 thanks for the support!