The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Has Looks to Match its Functionality | MotorWeek Road Test
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- The 2nd gen Honda Ridgeline has won its share of awards, including our own recent Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Midsize Pickup. Yet, due to its unibody construction, it still doesn’t get much respect among the truck crowd. Let’s see if an updated ’21 Ridgeline has what it takes to win them over.
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You're a winner too, Jon, and better than anyone on your staff at hosting these videos. Most professional job, sir.
My dad has a 2017 RTL-T Ridgeline that he bought new four years ago now with over 90k miles & has been fantastic so far. Has an amazing ride & handling balance, extremely comfortable seats & plenty capable for all of his needs, also love the in bed trunk.
Does it go offroad?
Honestly this is all the truck 90% buyers need, but 90% of buyer won't buy. Myself included. Whomp whomp.
Amazing truck, drives well and has more space and useable space than any other truck!
It doesn't tow or haul much so it's not bad if you dont need to tow anything over about 2000lbs it's a good family vehicle tho
No way I'd try n pull 5000lbs with this..3000lbs maybe but I guarantee the transmission doesn't last long if you do that more then once or twice a month
@@jdubskiwright2380 it takes 1500lbs in the bed or tows 5k fine as long as the object isn't super tall, there's many folks doing cross country towing with little issues 🤷
@@jdubskiwright2380 You do realize that there is standardized tests for towing that all the trucks go through to get their rating. It includes towing up 11 miles on a 6% grade (3500 foot elevation change) in Arizona and is only conducted on days over 100 degrees, and that is one of the less punishing tests. It will tow 5000lbs all day every day and not wear out any faster than any other truck towing at its max all day everyday, whatever that max is on the other trucks.
it tows up to 5000lbs@@jdubskiwright2380
This is what it should have been in the first place. I like the idea of a less aggressive truck, but truck buyers don't, and I am not a truck buyer.
WOW!!! Ive been doing research on the Ridgeline, to purchase one at the end of the year. I found this Motor Week video, the test track is from my home town drag strip, in Hagerstown Maryland!!!! Ive raced there in my younger days!!!!! Looking forward to gettin one soon!!!!!
Awesome American made truck with Japanese reputation of reliability and quality, innovation and trend setting. I still love my 2009 and 2017, and I'll get 2022
I bought a 2008 RTL new, now it has 144,000 miles. Maintenance only, recently had to replace an alternator. Has some issues, headliner is falling, some backlit interior lights no longer work, but still runs great.
I got 320k miles and still drives from Boston to CT , NH, ME NY with no issues.
@@Dsok0314 👏👏👏
@@christopherhamilton5557 did I tell you I also own an Acura ( HONDA) NSX?? Honda reliability is unreal
@@Dsok0314 awesome! The NSX is an amazing car! Enjoy!
The HPD appearance package doesn’t add any performance capability, like the TRD or FX4 packages do. People won’t respond well to this.
You'd be surprised. They are selling every single one, which I admit is partially driven by lack of supply. Despite that, people in the Ridgeline owners group seem to love the HPD package. To me, it's a total waste of money since it is cosmetic only.
Give us the V6 from the RL (or even just the cams) for a moderate boost in power.
Even 0.3 seconds off the 0-60 time and a bit wider powerband would go a long way
I’ve only ever seen 2021 Ridgelines with this package/ these accessory wheels.
@@foxtrot685 I've seen very few HPD Ridgelines and they were all at the dealer. I haven't seen but a handful of 2021 models in real life. Still, most have been without the package.
This truck needs to be redesigned ASAP
I like this Rigdeline. I think it looks better than the previous model. ( and I did like the original Rigdeline too.)
So long as it’s the “practical” alternative to a traditional pickup, they need to improve the fuel economy. It would be awesome if they could do a hybrid like the Maverick.
Agreeeeed. 24mpg does not impress me whatsoever
My 2021 Ridgeline RTLE is averaging 25.6 mpg with about 40% city - 60% hi way miles on my daily commute, traded in a 2019 F 150 XLT 4x4 with 26,000 miles . Good luck to anyone who wants to give that Maverick a try , It's just my experience but I will never own another Ford product.
@@Striker50_ if you don't like the vehicle to begin with, it will never impress you regardless.
@@Striker50_ I can state that I routinely get 28mpg highway and 24 average using nothing but regular unleaded. I am one of those people who calculate my fuel economy at every fuel up, so those numbers are pretty constant. Heck, pulling my 3900lb camper I still get 13-15mpg depending on how hilly the drive is.
As a ridgeline owner my self, I have owned several traditional pick ups.. you just have to own one and see how practical and useful it is. You'd be surprised
I traded in my 19 Ram 1500 hemi for a 23 RTL. My wallet thanks me at the pump...
I have the 2020 ridgeline I love it I'm thinking of trading the 2021 accord for another 2022 ridgeline for my weekend driver
The 2010 honda ridgeline has the best look of a midsize pick up truck. The way the c pillar angles down to the pickup bed. Honda shouldve retained that body style and just revised the front.
As long as the Ridgeline has one of the last mass produced timing belt interference engines, it is off my buy list. Honda has cheapened out their product line the last decade and are no longer the leading edge company that they once were.
Ford F-150 5.0 v8 went back to timing belt:(
@@reyperez3424 I don't know where you got that information but ALL Fords, GMs, Toyotas, Rams, etc have timing chains. Honda is stuck in the 1990 and too cheap to update their products. How many decades can they live off their history?
Now, I am not arguing the merits or lack thereof for interference and non-interference engines, but to state that the J35 is one of the last out there is somewhat misleading. Also the "interference" references whether the valve in its open position occupies the area the piston would occupy in TDC position (and therefore the piston would mash if the belt/chain broke) and can be in an engine with a timing belt, or chain, or even old engine models with gear driven timing, so saying the vehicle has a timing chain therefore is non-interference, or to say anything with a belt for timing is bad, is just plain incorrect for those that make that statement. Engines with chain timing can still break a chain and mash the valves just like a belt if it is an interference design (there are plenty of videos on youtube from mechanics showing broken timing chains, they are not some miracle cure). Maintenance is the factor that matters. Now, of course engines with non-interference design can use a belt for timing with impunity, as the belt breaking would not result in valves getting mashed and the engine just needs a new belt and the timing to be reset, which is great.
That said, companies other than Honda/Acura still using interference engines on some part of their lineup in 2021 include: Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford (yeah that 3.3l v6 that is stock in the XL and XLT F150 is an interference engine), Hyundai are all interference I believe, and that is just a few examples. Honda also does offer some non-interference engines, but the J35 in the Pilot, Ridgeline, Passport lineup is an interference motor, with a belt that easily lasts 100,000 miles under normal wear. There is not some epidemic of Hondas breaking belts at 20k miles and turning their engines into boat anchors, or having to change belts like changing oil.
It's a service you'll likely do once, if you drive it 200K miles in its lifetime. Is that really enough to keep you from buying one?
Hondas timing belts last longer then some ford's timing chains.
I like it a lot. I'm not sure how I feel about the spare tire location. It's on a nice slide out tray, but If you need it, you're going to need to empty the contents of both the bed and in-bed storage to access it.
Not to mention it's not full size
There is a location to put the spare in the bed standing up below the rear window in the bed to avoid this problem.
I purchased one though in 2017 and got rid of it in 2019. The issues my truck had and what I am observing in the 2gerneration Facebook group still today is crazy.
This looks like a modern Subaru Brat
Lol yea it does..I haven't seen a brat on the road or even a running driving model for sale in years..it was probably 2002 last time I saw one on the road..they rusted out so bad I'm sure most of them rotted away
Saw a Brat the other day at office Depot and damn was it clean, I was the n/a auto but side by side to my Ridgeline you could see similarities. Ridgeline drives like a WRX so it's not a far out comparison 😂
That's an impressive truck.
Woo hoo, a 2021 vehicle reviewed just in time for the 2022's to hit the lot. Sadly, all the lots I have looked at are empty, except Ford.
If you want a Civic or Accord, you can probably find one, but not a Ridgeline.
Ford is empty also...
@@toronado455 Yeah, but those are scarse also. That is why the price of all cars have gone up. It is crazy out there.
Regarding the shifter being button-based, I strongly disagree that a column shifter is better. The relatively flat layout of buttons keep the shifter out of the way of your phone and cupholders. The buttons are also more intuitive for backing into a tight space. A shifter tends to jerk more when switching gears.
I agree I’m NOT a fan of the push button shifter especially in a truck. Love Honda’s but this makes me look elsewhere. I was thinking of getting a new Honda Passport or Ridgeline but the lame push button shifter is such a pet peeve of mine..grrr!
Thought it was a Hawaii Police Department truck.Wheels look lousy.
HPD in Houston, Texas is our Houston Police Department.
only thing it lacks to me, it's ground clearence, a crosstrek has more
Truxx sells lifts or level kits, plus AT tires can increase 1.5inch to 3.5 inches
It looks much better but they need to ditch the front wheel drive chassis and make their own rear wheel drive truck chassis and then it'll be good.
The whole point of this vehicle is to ditch rear drive body-on-frame and replace with unibody for better ride/handling.
@@toronado455 but is it as strong as a rear wheel drive platform??
@@LTJohn 4:25
@@LTJohn probably not as strong as body on frame...unless they have created some new unibody with extra bracing and more support..
There's a bigger problem with your suggestion - Honda has ZERO rear drive powertrains to put into a rear drive platform. Unless you were planning to get out and push?
Why would they change the daytime running lights from led back to halogen?
Honda really is lost
This is based on the base model Sport. The top trims should have led lighting.
@@lili2sexc yes
@@lili2sexc No reason why any car in 2021 should have halogen lights. ESPECIALLY a $37,000 car
@@Striker50_ I’m not debating that. I was just saying because I’ve seen pics and videos of the other models that had the leds illuminated. So I know they are offered.
As a 2019 Ridgeline RTL_E, the HPD package is a joke. There is no performance added. Very expensive plastic package.
That aside, the Ridgeline is a very comfortable light duty truck. Great AWD technology.
i still want one, but not the price tag
You just totaled that black ridge line dropping those rocks in the “bed”.
The Hondoo👌👌👌
All those Stickers don’t add 5 HP?
Actually 10, but it’s a Honda secret! 🤫
😂
HPD = High Priced Decals. There is no "performance" upgrade with the HPD package, it's just an appearance package.
I'm probably one of the few owners that prefers the 17-20 face over the 21+ but both fall flat compared to the 2nd gen passport front, would have been a sleek aggressive look without copying the 🌮. Also hpd stick on flares and stickers are dumb 🤦 at least the Enkies in bronze are pretty nice
I'm with you as far as the liking the 17-20 face over the current 21. I think the change should've been more incorporated of the passport. That being said...I'd never opt for the new so-called "performance" package. The RTL-E would be the preferred trim package. 👌
@@tycheatham1594 I have a hard time wanting anything higher than my sport trim currently, Honda sight, LKAS, adaptive cruise and other nanny features aggravate me when I'm day to day driving. The leather seats don't really get me excited unless you can snag a Canadian set that gets cooling features and I'm very against touchscreens in general. but that aside the RTL-E is the way to go for getting everything and then not paint it black :D
Still uses the term, import buyers. Classic.
Needs a complete redesign ASAP
It will MDX just had redesign Pilot they working on Ridgeline will probably get 2023.
No need. You ain't going to buy one anyways, and it's selling just fine as it is.
You forgot to ding it for a lack of an oil gauge in the instrument cluster. That was a classic criticism from Autoweek. Guess they're giving Honda a pass.
HPV edition. You can drive an STI or an HPD to the clinic to get tested.
I prefer the look of the original, but then I’m not a truck guy.
The problem is the price
I owned a 2017 for 53,000 miles and it was nothing but headaches. I am still in the 2gen Honda Ridgeline group on Facebook and I cringe almost daily with the issues that owners have on a daily basis. This is anything but a well made truck for sure. Yes it drives nice but way to many problems. Do yourself a favor and if you are thinking of buying one join a group and just sit back and watch for a month or two. I am in 2 other groups that are far larger than the Ridgeline group and only one complaint has showed up in the past 6 months versus multiple per week in the RL group 😂.
What problems exactly?
@@repairdrive somebody just asked questions in the RL group and here is my answer to them.
Had a 2017 and I was happy to say goodbye to it in 2019 with 53,000 miles. I had the wonderful transmission overheating issues and the VCM issues. And then other none mechanical things drove me nuts like the ultra thin paint job, same goes with the acoustic windshield, never in my life did I have a windshield that would need replacing every year so good luck living in snowy areas and then the leather as well is also ultra thin and tears and rips to easily the cloth is much better in the RL, the front drivers and passenger windows would vibrate and whistle like crazy when it got windy and then that lovely rear wiring harness that will eventually break from opening the tailgate to much, never put clean clothes in the trunk and drive down a dirt road because the trunk will fill with dust and my last complaint was how easily the side fender panels can dent from just barely leaning against your truck. Plus just hang in this small group and you should notice that way to many issues pop up on a monthly basis for how small it is my other car groups which are much larger only one issue in 6 months has popped up in both of them.
I have a 2018 RTL-E that I bought new 4 years ago. The truck is bulletproof, just a couple of tiny recall issues that the dealer fixed. No other issues. Most reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned. Sorry you had so many problems.
@@DonHollenback I hope that Trend continues for you. My father-in-law has a 2019 and he has yet to report any issues as well.
Besides the issues I was having I was also getting very annoyed in seeing all the issues popping up in the second generation Honda Ridgeline group which I am still in. It has 4.2 k members now but in the past 30 days 32 issues have popped up big and small and in the third generation Tacoma group I am in which almost has 13k members eight issues popped up. Reality is it should be exactly the other way around but this seems to be the continuing Trend in the Facebook group which personally also had me worried as an owner besides the issues I was having.
Would prefer some toned down wheels
That's just what comes with HPD appearance package. Regular Ridgeline won't have those wheels or arches but same wheel can get in black.
“AWD is now standard.”
Has it not always been? My 2008 had AWD as standard…. I didn’t know it changed.
Front wheel drive was standard on most of the models. You paid more to get 4wd and most people did.
Your 2008 is 4WD all 1st Generation Ridgeline 2006-2014 were. The 2nd Generation 2017-2020 had AWD and FWD versions.
Rainbow House
Bring the Baja back
check out the Hyundai Santa Cruz
Never understood why they couldn’t sell those…
I thought Honda did well with the more aggressive reboot to separate it's looks from the Pilot; but, low and behold, they're now offering the same look on the Pilot....
Kind of defeats the whole purpose in my opinion....
They're both meant to be more off-road used
That said, the HPD pkg makes me cringe because there's ZERO performance added
Not on the Pilot... Yet, but it will be available on the Passport which is also meant to be more rugged.
Only $2,800 for decals and ugly wheels! Such a deal!! I want it. 🤮
What's the deal with bronze accents and wheels? There's a bronze edition Highlander now. Subaru has bronzified the interior of the Wilderness editions. And this HPD package.
Sorry but the only thing that truck got going for! Is the Honda name badge! Other than that no one would buy that thing!
I buy it in a minute and will buy it.
We have 1st Generation 2007 with about 240,000 miles. Why would you prefer a Body On Frame truck if your not towing a bunch or doing hard-core off-roading ?
Compared to Tacoma Ranger Colorado Canyon Frontier the Ridgeline cabin is more spacious. It drives and handles better. So if your not towing a hefty trailer or doing hard-core off-roading ?
The Ridgeline looks pretty good with more spacious and usable cabin.
Sure you could get a Full-Size trucks but is that what you want ?
I like these but the HPD thing sounds like a disease. They are trying to copy Toyota but maybe a different name would be better.
Honda is coming out with more off-road variants. They might be using Trademark Trailsport name.
agree
Just make sure the rear cab is not leaking water...it's a big problem most people have no idea about on the 2nd gens.
From front its looks like a SUV
It is a SUV base unibody truck.
No excuse for such poor fuel efficiency , Honda!
lol they add a volume knob, and take away shift lever for buttons, and wonder why truck buyers don't take it seriously. And still is missing tuning knob. I think every other truck maker has both volume and tuning knobs. In addition , other than RAM every body else has shift levers. Honda is making strange decisions based on commonality with CUVs that will always alienate truck buyers. It is not just the looks.
So you're going to give the rotary shifter knob in the Ram full size trucks a free pass?
Ridgeline went from 6 speed transmission to 9 speed. It shares parts with Pilot and some other Honda/ Acura models. Pilot and Passport have push button shifter like many other Hondas and Acura. Ridgeline also has paddle shifters on steering wheel.
The volume knob is what people were giving Ridgeline hell for they wanted that.
Still runs with the timing belt... really Honda... $1500 to change timing belt...
timing chain guides replacement isn't cheap.
@@mannybananas1322 yeah was gonna say chain is not necessarily better; still needs maintenance at some point
@Allen Tokyoo do you understand that these nine speed transmissions are weak right you fool?
@Allen Tokyoo FYI these 3.5 V6 are not bulletproof anymore, now they are direct injected along with cylinder deactivation.
@@wilmarbarrick3194 That's what a dealership charges now (post-pandemic prices) for a timing belt, accessory belt, all the necessary seals, tensioner, and water pump, which is the full package recommend service change at 105k factory specified intervals. An independent, but reputable, shop would be a few hundred less but nothing too dramatic if still using genuine Honda parts (lots of fake Chinese parts masquerading as genuine on Amazon/ebay so avoid those). A fly by night mobile mechanic may arrange to charge you half that amount, or even less, but make sure you watch them carefully as many won't actually change anything and just show you a frayed belt that they picked up from a junk yard to pretend they did.
honda makes great cars no doubt..but if you’re gonna spend 40k on a midsized truck, buy a tacoma. added bonus: in 10 years the tacoma will still be worth 30k+.
Ridgeline Also has great resale value.
Why buy a Tacoma ? The purpose of buying a Ridgeline is comfort and Car like handling and ride. You hear the reviewers say that. Tacoma is less spacious in cabin less comfortable.
This has been what Ridgeline has always been about with Unibody platform vs Body On Frame like Tacoma.
Also the Independent Rear Suspension of Ridgeline.
If you want to tow much more or go off-roading climbing hills ect. Tacoma.
If you want daily driver comfort ride or take take a long highway trip of 500-1000 miles you want Ridgeline. But you still have bad behind.
i’ve worked for both companies. the ridgeline’s resale is not on the same planet as a tacoma’s. i do agree if you want something, “more on road friendly”, then the ridgeline is a great option.
@@joetaravella13 Tacoma is not going to compare favorably to a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander SUV as far as ride and driving dynamics. But Ridgeline will. This is why many reviews say until you look in mirror and see bed back there. As said unless doing hard-core off-roading or towing heavy traile using as a weighdown work truck. The Ridgeline would suit majority driver better. Wider cabin for 5 people. Driving Dynamics comfort.
Does not suffer from rear-end skittishness of live axle pickup trucks.
So if bed doesn't have anything in it ride is composed Independent Rear Suspension and Unibody platform.
Going over road imperfections like pothole expansion joints doesn't upset it.
The Ridgeline beats the Tacoma in everything. Even payload.
SERIOUSLY? No LED daytime running lights?? That’s a serious omission. Does it even have LED headlights and tail lights? I love the truck.
"its", not 'it's" functionality.
No power seat. That is ridiculous!!!!
this is the base model in the video
Yes that's base model for USA Canadian is spec different. Honda did some skimping on this particular trim with some convenience features.
But some features are standard like AWD System paddle shifters Tri-Zone Climate Control. Lockable in-bed water tight trunk. Also has electronic Lockable tailgate all 2021 and not sure if all 2020 but some.
That thing is hideous
But yet it still wins awards and accolades from reviewers.
So does Nickelback
4th
SERIOUSLY? No LED daytime running lights?? That’s a serious omission. Does it even have LED headlights and tail lights? I love the truck.But that is disappointing Honda.
No wonder why ford outsell everyone with those mpg, towing numbers and those prices no thanks I'll get a real truck nice xlt for 40k nice work ford keep up the good work.
Different engine choices as Ridgeline only has one.
Ummmm not a truck. It's a minivan with the ass end cut out.
It's not a truck at all. It's a Ute
If it works, it works. Who cares what it's made from. The Ridgeline is the best driving pickup I've ever owned and that is because its a NART (not a real truck). Ot rides and handles like a car and still does plenty of truck things. Perfect Goldilocks vehicle for those who have an ooen mind to trying different things.
@@aaronbehindbars open mind for trying different things hey.
It's an oddessy with the ass end cut out of it. It does 0 truck things.
It can't haul
It can't tow
It sure can't off road.
It's comfortable because is a damn minivan.
Truck guys needing truck work cares very much what its made from.
Ots for soccer moms like you who need to carry groceries once in a while.
@@Welcometofacsistube Soccer moms like me? I am a male and I don't have any kids. Also, what's wrong with soccer moms? Making an insult based on the suggestion someone is feminine is just stupid and masogynistic.
It can haul 1583 lbs (as much as most half tons)
It can tow 5000 lbs which is more than most people need. Take a Ram 1500 with it's hilariously low payload rating (1100 lbs in some cases) and load it with a family of 4 and their gear. That leaves you a couple hundred pounds of payload for youe trailer tongue weight...hope that all you are towing is a little teardrop camper for a jet ski.
You know what people use their trucks for? Mostly nothing, but generally for hauling furniture, appliances, bags of soil, recreational equipment...stuff you cant or dont want to put in a minivan or SUV.
You are clearly offended by the suggestion that a unibody pickup does a fine job in place of vehicles with archaic technology. I've made to switch and know first hand what a Ridgeline can do. It's not a work truck and it isn't designed to replace heavy duty anything. It's made for average folks hauling normal things and it does that exceedingly well.
@@aaronbehindbars he quit talking shit now 🤣😭💀
Too bad its ugly AF.
Rugged Redo
Still a unibody 🤢🤮
You realize it still has frame rails, right? The basic difference between unibody and not is the cab and chassis are welded intead of bolted. That's an oversimplification, but it works for the sake of this discussion. The Ridgeline has additional structural framing in the form of box section frame rails that are not present in the Pilot or Odyssey. There is literally nothing wrong with it being unibody. That's what makes it safer, handle better, and stronger. Traditional pickups are based on 100 year old methods. I prefer to own and drive a modern vehicle.
@@aaronbehindbars u do realize that’s a girls truck right?
@@kingtachoss Do you realize that's a dumb comment? All you can muster is a masongynist "insult." Describing something as inferior because it has feminine traits is about as low intelligence someone can get. Here's to hoping you can be a better human.
@@aaronbehindbars so is ur comments
@@aaronbehindbars all I’m saying ma mom drives a honda and I hate ma self ertime I drive it. Anyway I’ve never seen a Honda at any construction site where we work or deliver and it’s cuz is not a real truck
Lol still not a truck
Why because it can't tow the heaviest trailer. It can't climb and decend the best hard-core off-road trails. Look up definition off pickup truck. None of that is mentioned. The open bed makes it a pickup truck. What would you call the new Ford Maverick?