Somehow, as a 43 year old dad, who is also a mechanic, this is the vehicle I find myself wanting most. Unexpectedly complete, thought-out and well executed engineering.
As a 37 year-old mechanic who owns one: They're great. Unless it doesn't meet your towing needs or you do a lot of off-roading, there's no reason not to get one of these. Honda reliability and thoughtful engineering combined with, as Tommy said, the most comfortable interior in its class. This trim level is a bit of a whiff, I think. But the RTL has everything you could need.
Had a 2019 RTL-E and now have a 2022 Black Edition. I like the V6 powertrain. I don't want a 4cyl-turbo. Love the quiet, smooth ride. Hauling and towering capacity are just fine. I also have a 2015 Civic and a 2024 Corvette. The Ridgeline is my comfort ride.
The 2024 Ridgeline is looking really good to me. Comparing the TrailSport and the Sport model. The pricing the issue for me, These new trucks are outside of the comfort zone for this Senior Retired customer.
The color of the model in this video is fantastic! I have a 2023 Ridgeline and I'm very happy with it. While it would have been nice to get some of the tech upgrades seen here, I needed a vehicle at the time and couldn't wait.
I owned a 06 Ridgeline and sold it in 23. I bought an AT4 Duramax, thinking it’s time to go bigger, a nice truck, love the Duramax, but man, I miss my Ridgeline. Just ordered a 24 Black Edition, I pick it up this week.
I guess all terrain tires, retuned suspension and a single skid plate are better than nothing but would have been nice to see Honda give it a lift over the other trims and the trail cam setup from the Pilot. Hopefully a gen 3 Ridgeline will get a more robust Trailsport model.
This new "refresh", which started in 2021, feels like it's getting one last makeover before they move on to a Gen 3 Ridge. Lot of improvements here, but for a true off road Ridgeline, I would wait for the Gen 3 truck, which will probably be around 2025-2028.
@@TermlessHGWhow do you rated it, since you have it for 5/6 years? I'm looking to get a smaller truck, had a GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, lost it due to a head on colission, and I realy don't need big truck anymore.
@PoisonShot20 I have a 2027 RTL . still ride way more comfortable than other comparable midsize trucks such Colorado, or Taco. Couple worrisome issues: The 6 speed tranny. At 100k it starts to become a bit jittery. The CVM is a unecessary soreness, I hated so much I just disabled it.
Worked hard to get a Ridgeline. Could never get a price I thought was reasonable. The updates to the interior on the ‘24s look great! I ended up going with a ‘19 Titan. I love it so far. BUT…I definitely did not need a full-size truck.
@@BillyBobTup According to Edmunds the ridgeline has an advantage being independed suspension all around, the took it a tacoma and titan offroad in 2017, the ridgeline was the only one not to have blown out shocks
@@marklion315 I watched that Edmunds trip out to the desert. That washboard road they were on was crazy. As of now, I don’t do any off-road stuff anyway. Would’ve preferred the Ridgeline’s AWD system of for the winter driving though!
I for one am excited for this refreshed Ridgeline! I’m coming from a 2018 Frontier which I recently sold due to some issues. I don’t go off-road outside of some camping trails during the summer months so this will be perfect for me I think all year round. Having a more comfortable on-road driving experience will be appreciated I think.
This seems to be more of a cosmetic package rather than a real off-road trim. No skid plate, lift or 360 view cameras. Honda is really trying to milk out the second gen Ridgeline. We need a Ridgeline based on the Pilot platform.
I have a 21 black edition with a 2” leveling kit and one inch taller wildpeak tires. 10” ground clearance. I’ve gone places you wouldn’t believe. Very capable truck and easily tows my other 84 720. 12:43
For the money these things costs it makes way more sense to get a tacoma or frontier. Built a lot tougher with actual frames, 4wd hi/lo, and solid rear axle. If these ridgelines were like 30grand for the offroad they might have my attention but not in the 40 grand territory. Only area the ridgeline really wins is fuel economy. Gas is back down to $2.72 where I live so I really don't care about a few mpg difference. The ridgeline has more payload but thats because I have the long wheel base for the 6ft bed, crew cab, and 4wd. If I need to haul heavy stuff i'll use a trailer and it tows it more than the ridgeline to at 6100 pounds for my model. The 23 tacoma is bulletproofed by this point and you can't beat the resale value.
It really depends on the use case. I've driven almost every midsize truck and the Ridgeline is so much more comfortable and better handling than a Tacoma or Frontier. Roadtripping in a Tacoma is horrible, but it's so comfortable in a Ridgeline. If you are doing more serious trails, yeah I'd maybe go with a Tacoma, but for general forest roads and snowy/winter conditions - I'd go with the AWD Ridgeline any day.
I've owned six vehicles in the last 20 years with "4-lo". Used it never. Also quickly learned that a CUV or car AWD system has far, far more grip on public roads and ability to think on the fly than any of the transfer case jobs. Throw a set of snows on a AWD Forester or Highlander and they will out brake, accelerate and corner any pickup on snow or ice.
@@Kopernicus67 Ive used mine 4 times in the last year.A Lot of these work sites I go to are up steep inclines. Gone through some nasty muddy terrain. It only snows once or twice a year here. And a tacoma on snow rated all terrains has plenty of capability in the snow. Ive had my 6ft bed filled up plenty of times front to back. If you don't need it I understand going for the comfort but it doesn't make sense for me. I really don't think the tacomas that bad comfort wise anyways. I am 5'11". If I didn't need a truck I would still be driving my 2016 Camry le. That car was comfortable.
Have a ‘21 Black Edition. Took it down a two track and hit a small dip at about 5 mph. The door no longer lines up to the fender. It was a small dip. I love the truck but it’s about as trail rated as a Miata.
I have a 2021 RL Sport and it's been my favorite vehicle ever. I got tired of the size of my half ton and how body-on frame vehicles drive in general. It's such a great daily driver for those who can check their egos. I am disappointed with this Trailsport variant. They could have at least given a modest increase in ride height. The improvements made are decent, but they didn't go far enough. I do like the older fold up armrests with the "roll top" center console, but they at least made a decent set of cupholders on the new one. I could adapt, though. Glad to see some tech updates, even if the interior is still looking a bit dated. Overall, it's a decent minor update. I suspect an all new one is coming as a 2027 model. Watch the Pilot for a possible hybrid drivetrain in the next couple years to potentially preview what might be in store for the next-gen RL.
Very nice looking truck. I really like the tech upgardes and the new armrest. I have a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport and I am going to trade it in for a 2024 Black Edition as soon as it is available.
Dang. Guess that confirms we’re not gonna see a new ridgeline for quite a while, if ever. Bummer, the bones of the new pilot looked so promising for the Ridgeline.
Have a 2020 Ridgeline and I love it except it was last year without a volume knob. It is a lease and is due to be turned in. Just hope the 2024s come out soon! This truck is awesome and has all the capabilities that most people need. I don't tow a boat or camper so it's perfect for me. It is so comfortable and great road trip vehicle.
No 360 degree camera, weak underbody protection, no improved ground clearance no full size spare. Honda is wasting the TrailSport branding by sticking it on anything painted sky blue.
Why is this vehicle so polarizing? I really like the Ridgeline, for what it is. To me it is kind of in it’s own category, and not much else really can match it for what it is. But this comment is valid - Calling this “Trailsport” is almost misleading for the reasons mentioned
No change to ground clearance, approach or departure angles, no update to the iVTM4 software to match the capabilities of the Pilot TrailSport…. Basically some upgraded tires and new badges to accomplish TrailSport name. LOL.
I just bought one of these, and I am starting to feel like the "Trailsport" edition could have brought more to the table, like the new Pilot. I like the visual improvements, but the oil pan skid plate lookes like something they found out back and slapped it on. It should have came with (at least) a 1" lift. It does however have a tow point in the front just like the older Ridgelines, it's just in a very bad spot. It's down under the engine bay on the right hand side inbetween the oil pan and the drivers side A-arm, and also doesn't look super beefy, but it's there.. I think you could probably rig up and exstension strap and mount it somewhere on the grill to gain easy access when you might be stuck in deep mud/snow/sand...etc. (Just don't rip your grill off by snagging it on something lol. As much as I'm a little disapointed that the 24' Ridgeline didn't get the 24' Pilot treatment, I'm still extremely impressed with the power, handling, functionality, ride quality and looks of this truck. A lot of it's short comings can be fixed with aftermarket parts, but I would just like to see it from the factory.
Ground clearance is way too low. No skid plates? So that makes it a street only truck to me. It’s a good vehicle, but Honda dropped the ball again. They make sweet atv’s & utv’s with high ground clearance, 4 wheel independent suspension. How in the hell can they not figure out how to do it for their truck & suvs? 🙄
I think it's good, but they really should have incorporated the pilot's new front end design as well as giving it a slightly taller suspension. Maybe one or two inches. Those two things would have really pulled it together for me.
I wish they had a cheaper version. I looked to buy one a few years ago but couldn’t get past that it’s was the same price as the Tundra I ended up buying. If it was less I think I could have gotten my head around it.
Excellent review, When I read last year that Honda was updating the model there was one thing I didn't see. The rear bumper, did they ever affix it (weld it) to the unibody? Co-worker has one (2021), and it actually tore out/off of it's plastic housing/clips. Honestly, never seen a rear (fake) step bumper on anything classified as a small truck. and my buddy is like 160 lbs . Cheapest thing I'd ever seen on $45k truck. I'm in the market and really like the Honda line, I'd strongly consider it, but not with that bumper. If they can put a tow bar/hitch on that thing surely they should have addressed that fake step bumper by now. Thanks
If I didnt have to tow my camper I would definitely be looking at the Colorado or Ridgeline. They are both impressive in their own rights and great trucks.
What do you think is the actual % of vehicles that get damaged because they have 7" of ground clearance rather than 8"? Unless you are going over sharp rocks and boulders it is a moot point.
@@Kopernicus67 don't know, probably ot many. But this is supposedly the more capable off-road version...and the ground clearance is still a joke. I'm sitting at 8.8" in my Maverick and wish I had another inch or so for when I'm on forest service roads. The Ridgeline has a longer wheelbase than it and also less ground clearance.
I was really hoping Honda would give it the Pilot Trailsport treatment with a lift, tow hooks, and proper skiplates. I would have bought that in a second. I'm very disappointed with what amounts to wheel and tire package with light blue paint. Sorry Honda....you dropped the ball here.
I actually prefer the old arm rests more. 1. They are independently adjustable, 2. I don’t have to move my arm if the passenger goes into the center council, 3. My little dog can sleep on her bed in between the front seats.
Still like my 23' HPD Ridgeline better. All I have to do is get Honda to install an oil pan guard and upgraded offroad tires and I'm good. I do like the color a lot. And also, by widening the center armrest, they deleted the adjustable armrests. I like the armrests.
Offering trail sport as primary a tire and appearance package is a smart play. No one buys a ridgeline for series off roading and that’s okay. It gets buyers the look they want with serious tires thrown into the overall price point. Which isn’t inflated with things like lockers lifts etc that no ridgeline buyer needs. If you want more get a jeep or a Toyota,
I agree with what you're saying but I think Honda should have went a little further with this one. If you are putting on ATs (from the factory) then they need to beef up the driveline a little to actually make use of those aggressive tires. As is this is just a normal Ridgeline, why would you pay extra and get no extra benefit?
@@Lon1001 I think a lot of the appeal is going to be getting the tires as part of the total financing and not needing to go buy them separately. The awd system was already great and now they have the traction to match it. The benefit is mostly cosmetic
But i dont want to go off road , i want a faster highway truck . Bigger brakes , and a manual would be sweet. I wouldn't know how to even find dirt or know a farmer to let me go riding around his farm .
Still waiting for a proper compact 4x4, truck or otherwise. People make em overseas, but the smallest thing is probably a 2 door bronco or wrangler still. This even in the softroader category has a pretty poor approach angle, not much height, and is pretty long, so still not very competitive
Some nice improvements......awful minivan armrests gone, upgraded infotainment (still no radio tuner knob) and gauge cluster. The bad.....still have the awful 9-speed transmission, towing capacity still only 5,000 lbs, (6500 would be nice), power mirror switch still on dash instead of armrest, blind spot monitor lights not in mirror, but still on door posts, ground clearance not great, ugh. My conclusion , a half-assed upgrade that still falls short
My goodness the reason why Honda Ridgeline isn’t respected because Honda doesn’t give what people are asking for. Give this baby a lift with real ground clearance. Some sturdy underground protection, and an option for a v8 or v6 turbo. Also their entertainment system sucks… it‘s a pain in the a… the software system always has these delays just to switch from radio to media, ohh and don’t get me started on connecting your phone to it.
You are spot-on; the only thing missing from the infotainment is the Windows '95 startup sound when you start the truck. We had a '19 RTL-E, and yeah, sometimes when we plugged the phone in, it froze.
Really surprised it didn’t get the Honda Pilot’s level of upgrades for the Trailsport trim. Sad as I had looked forward to getting this, but may go Taco instead. Very disappointed. Good video as always though.
I miss my Ridgeline. Gave it to my son and bought a Jeep Gladiator Mojave. The Gladiator is a nice convertible truck for my place down in Florida but it rides like s--t on the highway. The steering is light and unresponsive, completely opposite of the Ridgeline. I also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee up North that I may trade in for Ridgeline TrailSport. The blue color is ok but a bit feminine looking imo. The TrailSport is cool as hell and the ride is second to none. Great job Honda!
I have a ridgeline... if you want to hardcore off-road go get a toyota taco, gladiator, ranger, or a colorado. If you already have a ridgline get yourself after market parts. Traxda & HRG are great.
This, I have had a 2017 and currently a 2021 Ridgeline. I have equipped both with a set of 17 inch Steelies mounted with AT tires (Wildpeaks AT3Ws on the 17 in stock size, Nomad Grapplers on the 21 now that are sized at 265/70/17, 2" over stock size) and the off-road capability was more than adequate for anything other than rock crawling.
Definitely rethinking the ridgeline.Have a f150 pickup 12 years old too big ,wide turning radius,never bought a towing reciever .Still has a 6 cylinder.4 cylinder turbo charged engine burns lots of fuel if you have a slightly heavy foot.
Stamped brand names is super tacky. Those tires look less aggressive than 23 Firestones. Needs a major facelift snd better tranny and it would be fine.
My two biggest problems with Honda Ridgeline are: intrusive safety brake constantly banging on your left foot (pedal? in 2024?), and no stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. In addition, it appears that the seats were modified to not include an armrest towards the center anymore. In other words, they force you now to use an arm rest. As a larger driver, I prefer driving with my right hand arm rest up, to have more room. Can't do that anymore.
Well this is a disappointing offering to say the least. its another Trailsport appearance pkg on sky blue like the Passport except for tires and a skid plate. Still has the older engine and 9 sp. Maybe they gave it the pilot awd system?, but wo that and a lift its just a regular ridgeline w all terrain tires. Plus the tires are too small at 29.5". The pilot has 265/60/18s(30.5s) on all trims i think, it really needs 65s on the TS. This should have 65s min too but really it should have 245/70/18s or 265/65/18s both 31.5s with a lift, not to mention the rest of the pilot ts stuff like tow hooks and full size spare. at least they give you a tow hitch but you dont get alot with Honda these days except for the name and reliability. I suppose thats enough for Honda but i guess the bean counters decided the pilot ts has more off road buyers. strange you would think the opposite but the 3 row suv still has a shorter wb. at4 and zr2 are way better off roaders. id like to see side steps and roof rails also. I wish the spare was underneath bc there is no way a full size spare would fit in the bed trunk. side tailgate is a must and was a class exclusive but now full size trucks have followed suit and so should the rest. No 110v inside or the bed, no usb in 2nd row? shame w the roomiest in class. the rear under seat storage needs refinement and its still not a flat load floor w seats up. id still take one over a tacoma anyday(as tommy said, way more comfortable) except for the all black interior, but well see if they improve the seats on the new tacos. In which case id still rather have a ridgeline bc if one thing Honda does right its ease of use, comfort, and practicality. Its a good driving cross truck for us old folks over 50 but for off road the pilot ts is better and so are most other midsize trucks.
While I'll admit that they have improved the looks, I dont think I'll ever get past the idea that a unibody pickup should cost substantially less than a body on frame pickup (I thought lower production cost was one of the main advantages of unibody construction). The simple fact that having Ridgline money means I also have Frontier, Ranger, and maybe even Tacoma money means I can never see myself buying one. There's just too much competition from the traditional pickups that I know and love.
Its also depends on your priorities as not everyone has the same priorities in their preferences in a truck. For those who prioritise ride comfort, roomy interior & cargo capacity along with a decent towing capability, the Ridgeline would be a good option. It is also a great alternative for a road trip truck as its fuel efficient over the competition’s non hybrid offerings.
@@DarthNero The Ridgeline ticks off most of my personal priorities - I want a decent sized bed to start doing all the projects I want to do, car/SUV has always been just not enough, as I live in SK I need some ground clearance and an AWD system that is capable in all sorts of winter conditions plus I want to be able to go down some trails that are beyond the capabilities of my sedan and would be a little abusive to most SUVs. I don't want to overland and I don't tow any heavy trailers but would like to tow a small little pocket cruiser sailboat to the lake which this Ridgeline could do just fine. If this ridgline was reliably good (and better than the average SUV) offroad it would give me some assurance it's the right one but from what I can see that is not where Honda wants to put the focus (despite many people that are wanting that capability). I just can't justify the price of new vehicles these days and I doubt this one will still be on the road when I'm looking for a decent used one in my budget.
Well that's where they got you fooled. It actually doesn't cost then any where near as much to manufacturer those trucks as much as they cost. As well look the actual design and structure of the Ridgeline, it's not just a big crossover with a bed. It has a fully boxed frame that is welded to the body, and the box has it's own unique bones that makes it rigid and solid. That's why the big 3 are laughing to the bank. They build those half time for like maybe 20-28k a unit, and make 10-15k profit a unit. Where as they only make 3-5k back on the SUVs
1 - needs at least a 1" suspension lift / not blocks or body lift 2 - should have went to a 17" wheel and thus a larger side profile tire 3 - love the way the rear seat folds up and all that floor space - I have a large dog that rides with me all the time and this is one of the first things I check - new Tundra?? huge truck but that's where they store the battery/under the rear seat. Tacoma? nope Ranger? nope Frontier? nope.....it's a TRUCK why can't they make more USABLE space like Honda did here. Well done, Honda.
Yeah would have like to see another 1.5 inches of ground clearance. Overall real nice truck. Unfortunate how it got that not a truck stigma. I think it they would have made it easy to add off road lights, come stock with an inverter tow hook attachments and include hill incline and decent level indicators it would help break that stigma while only marginally adding to the cost.
Wow nice but what a missed opportunity! I think many were waiting on the fence. But with Honda not really doing enough??? No lift by an inch, no increased towing, no tow hooks, no real underbody protection…. Uuugh. I think Honda just missed out on a lot of sales! It’s good start but why would people wait and wait and wait and wait for Honda to produce what we need and want.
So funny because so few people use even a small percentage of their trucks offroad capability. The vast majority of people will use a SXS or ATV to actually offroad.
Not fan of baby blue , the orange doesn’t make sense on the grill with exterior color . My concerns it’s still too low to the ground. Test when get a chance ❤ no lift hurts off road package . 8 inches isn’t great. Looks like they have little more protection to do some flat road off roading. Would work in CA in most areas though the bed is still best part of the truck
I never cared for the spare tire placement. What if you're loaded down with bags of sand or cement and pavers, and you have a flat tire, or you just bought a new dryer?
Mid cycle refresh? Good lord it’s time to get a new generation. The Passport and Ridgeline are both very over due for a new generation. The Passport should be especially easy since the Pilot is already out.
Love the skid plate , but no front recovery hooks? I guess it's so good that it's ever gets stuck & have to recovery! Can you get the trailsport w the HPD??
Had 2 Ridgelines in the past 1st and 2nd gen, now driving a Taco, Honda is by far the best on Road pick up truck, best ride and most comfortable interior of any mid size, I like what they did with the center console on this one but definitely missed the mark on more ground clearance for a “trail” rated version and still not able to store full size spare under bed compartment as they did on the 1st gen is another miss.
Love the Ridgeline. But I don't understand why they didn't lifted a bit the TrailSport model. It has the same ground clearance than the other trims. Why? Honda missed a good opportunity there.
Where are the rumored 385HP and 10 speed transmission from the 2023 Passport? Disappointed to say the least. I had a 2019 RTL-E that I sold before moving out of US for work. I would have bought a 22 or 23 but the 9speed trans was the deal breaker (I have it in my wife's 2021 Pilot and I prefer the old 6 speed).
Somehow, as a 43 year old dad, who is also a mechanic, this is the vehicle I find myself wanting most. Unexpectedly complete, thought-out and well executed engineering.
As a 37 year-old mechanic who owns one: They're great. Unless it doesn't meet your towing needs or you do a lot of off-roading, there's no reason not to get one of these. Honda reliability and thoughtful engineering combined with, as Tommy said, the most comfortable interior in its class. This trim level is a bit of a whiff, I think. But the RTL has everything you could need.
Problem is the ground clearance! 👎
Had a 2019 RTL-E and now have a 2022 Black Edition. I like the V6 powertrain. I don't want a 4cyl-turbo.
Love the quiet, smooth ride. Hauling and towering capacity are just fine. I also have a 2015 Civic and a 2024 Corvette. The Ridgeline is my comfort ride.
I loved Hondas individual armrests. I can’t believe they got rid of them. That’s what truly set this vehicle apart.
Same here...love the captain's seats!
Same here. But I guess that's that and will be the same on the 3rd gen. When or if it arrives. C'mon Honda, you're way behind now in the midsize...
Those arm rests suck Unless your a little person
The 2024 Ridgeline is looking really good to me. Comparing the TrailSport and the Sport model. The pricing the issue for me, These new trucks are outside of the comfort zone for this Senior Retired customer.
Great review as always. Like you mentioned, they missed out on not including a full skid plate and height lift. I wouldn't mind owning one.
The color of the model in this video is fantastic! I have a 2023 Ridgeline and I'm very happy with it. While it would have been nice to get some of the tech upgrades seen here, I needed a vehicle at the time and couldn't wait.
I owned a 06 Ridgeline and sold it in 23. I bought an AT4 Duramax, thinking it’s time to go bigger, a nice truck, love the Duramax, but man, I miss my Ridgeline. Just ordered a 24 Black Edition, I pick it up this week.
I guess all terrain tires, retuned suspension and a single skid plate
are better than nothing but would have been nice to see Honda give it a lift over the other trims and the trail cam setup from the Pilot. Hopefully a gen 3 Ridgeline will get a more robust Trailsport model.
This new "refresh", which started in 2021, feels like it's getting one last makeover before they move on to a Gen 3 Ridge. Lot of improvements here, but for a true off road Ridgeline, I would wait for the Gen 3 truck, which will probably be around 2025-2028.
Honda needs to watch a couple of CampingRandy or jonDZ ADVENTURING videos for the next Ridgeline Trail Sport redesign.
@@rabd3721it can't come soon enough. My 17 RTL-E is ready for a trade in.
@@TermlessHGWhow do you rated it, since you have it for 5/6 years? I'm looking to get a smaller truck, had a GMC Sierra 1500 SLT, lost it due to a head on colission, and I realy don't need big truck anymore.
@PoisonShot20
I have a 2027 RTL . still ride way more comfortable than other comparable midsize trucks such Colorado, or Taco. Couple worrisome issues: The 6 speed tranny. At 100k it starts to become a bit jittery. The CVM is a unecessary soreness, I hated so much I just disabled it.
Worked hard to get a Ridgeline. Could never get a price I thought was reasonable.
The updates to the interior on the ‘24s look great!
I ended up going with a ‘19 Titan. I love it so far. BUT…I definitely did not need a full-size truck.
If it is a 4WD truck, at least you will be able to actually go off road without being scared to death of body or under body damage. So, good move!
@@BillyBobTup According to Edmunds the ridgeline has an advantage being independed suspension all around, the took it a tacoma and titan offroad in 2017, the ridgeline was the only one not to have blown out shocks
@@marklion315 I watched that Edmunds trip out to the desert. That washboard road they were on was crazy.
As of now, I don’t do any off-road stuff anyway.
Would’ve preferred the Ridgeline’s AWD system of for the winter driving though!
What Fool would spend 50k to jump ditches or climb rocks?? @@BillyBobTup
I for one am excited for this refreshed Ridgeline! I’m coming from a 2018 Frontier which I recently sold due to some issues. I don’t go off-road outside of some camping trails during the summer months so this will be perfect for me I think all year round. Having a more comfortable on-road driving experience will be appreciated I think.
This seems to be more of a cosmetic package rather than a real off-road trim. No skid plate, lift or 360 view cameras. Honda is really trying to milk out the second gen Ridgeline. We need a Ridgeline based on the Pilot platform.
no sked plate on this one?
I have a 2022 Sport which I love. Not enough upgrades for me to trade up just yet. Thanks for the review.
I have a 21 black edition with a 2” leveling kit and one inch taller wildpeak tires. 10” ground clearance. I’ve gone places you wouldn’t believe. Very capable truck and easily tows my other 84 720. 12:43
Which brand of 2" lift did you use?
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 traxda
Nice truck, love the storage under the bed. ! If it just had a little more clearance.
For the money these things costs it makes way more sense to get a tacoma or frontier. Built a lot tougher with actual frames, 4wd hi/lo, and solid rear axle. If these ridgelines were like 30grand for the offroad they might have my attention but not in the 40 grand territory. Only area the ridgeline really wins is fuel economy. Gas is back down to $2.72 where I live so I really don't care about a few mpg difference. The ridgeline has more payload but thats because I have the long wheel base for the 6ft bed, crew cab, and 4wd. If I need to haul heavy stuff i'll use a trailer and it tows it more than the ridgeline to at 6100 pounds for my model. The 23 tacoma is bulletproofed by this point and you can't beat the resale value.
It really depends on the use case. I've driven almost every midsize truck and the Ridgeline is so much more comfortable and better handling than a Tacoma or Frontier. Roadtripping in a Tacoma is horrible, but it's so comfortable in a Ridgeline. If you are doing more serious trails, yeah I'd maybe go with a Tacoma, but for general forest roads and snowy/winter conditions - I'd go with the AWD Ridgeline any day.
I've owned six vehicles in the last 20 years with "4-lo". Used it never. Also quickly learned that a CUV or car AWD system has far, far more grip on public roads and ability to think on the fly than any of the transfer case jobs. Throw a set of snows on a AWD Forester or Highlander and they will out brake, accelerate and corner any pickup on snow or ice.
@@Kopernicus67 Ive used mine 4 times in the last year.A Lot of these work sites I go to are up steep inclines. Gone through some nasty muddy terrain. It only snows once or twice a year here. And a tacoma on snow rated all terrains has plenty of capability in the snow. Ive had my 6ft bed filled up plenty of times front to back. If you don't need it I understand going for the comfort but it doesn't make sense for me. I really don't think the tacomas that bad comfort wise anyways. I am 5'11". If I didn't need a truck I would still be driving my 2016 Camry le. That car was comfortable.
The Ridgeline also drives and rides way better than the Tacoma and frontier and has more space inside
Can't even compare them as the ridgeline isn't a truck. It's just a cheap Civic with a bed.
Have a ‘21 Black Edition. Took it down a two track and hit a small dip at about 5 mph. The door no longer lines up to the fender. It was a small dip. I love the truck but it’s about as trail rated as a Miata.
I have a 2021 RL Sport and it's been my favorite vehicle ever. I got tired of the size of my half ton and how body-on frame vehicles drive in general. It's such a great daily driver for those who can check their egos.
I am disappointed with this Trailsport variant. They could have at least given a modest increase in ride height. The improvements made are decent, but they didn't go far enough.
I do like the older fold up armrests with the "roll top" center console, but they at least made a decent set of cupholders on the new one. I could adapt, though. Glad to see some tech updates, even if the interior is still looking a bit dated.
Overall, it's a decent minor update. I suspect an all new one is coming as a 2027 model. Watch the Pilot for a possible hybrid drivetrain in the next couple years to potentially preview what might be in store for the next-gen RL.
Yeah, I really like my 23' HPD Ridgeline. It's very luxurious and also kinds of moves out. 100% the best vehicle I've owned.
Very nice looking truck. I really like the tech upgardes and the new armrest. I have a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport and I am going to trade it in for a 2024 Black Edition as soon as it is available.
Thank you, Tommy, good review. when I think off rugged offroad, dominated by Jeep and Toyota TRD, I'd rarely think crossover or Honda
Dang. Guess that confirms we’re not gonna see a new ridgeline for quite a while, if ever.
Bummer, the bones of the new pilot looked so promising for the Ridgeline.
Really like this truck and the color. Still love my Gladiator despite the issues I have had with it.
Nice review. I own a 2021 Ridgeline RTL-E and love it. One of the best vehicles I have ever owned!
Have a 2020 Ridgeline and I love it except it was last year without a volume knob. It is a lease and is due to be turned in. Just hope the 2024s come out soon! This truck is awesome and has all the capabilities that most people need. I don't tow a boat or camper so it's perfect for me. It is so comfortable and great road trip vehicle.
Really nice Honda Accord with a cargo bed.
No 360 degree camera, weak underbody protection, no improved ground clearance no full size spare. Honda is wasting the TrailSport branding by sticking it on anything painted sky blue.
N its still a better truck than the tacoma 😂
Why is this vehicle so polarizing? I really like the Ridgeline, for what it is. To me it is kind of in it’s own category, and not much else really can match it for what it is. But this comment is valid - Calling this “Trailsport” is almost misleading for the reasons mentioned
@@chevyss934 Wrong emoji for sarcasm.
@@allentoyokawa9068 No, you are. Go look at what Subaru is doing with wilderness branding
@@chevyss934 not even close
No change to ground clearance, approach or departure angles, no update to the iVTM4 software to match the capabilities of the Pilot TrailSport…. Basically some upgraded tires and new badges to accomplish TrailSport name. LOL.
Thank you for the review....Honda has been milking this for a minute or two. Can't wait till TFL gets this for a true road trip review!!!!
I just bought one of these, and I am starting to feel like the "Trailsport" edition could have brought more to the table, like the new Pilot. I like the visual improvements, but the oil pan skid plate lookes like something they found out back and slapped it on. It should have came with (at least) a 1" lift. It does however have a tow point in the front just like the older Ridgelines, it's just in a very bad spot. It's down under the engine bay on the right hand side inbetween the oil pan and the drivers side A-arm, and also doesn't look super beefy, but it's there.. I think you could probably rig up and exstension strap and mount it somewhere on the grill to gain easy access when you might be stuck in deep mud/snow/sand...etc. (Just don't rip your grill off by snagging it on something lol. As much as I'm a little disapointed that the 24' Ridgeline didn't get the 24' Pilot treatment, I'm still extremely impressed with the power, handling, functionality, ride quality and looks of this truck. A lot of it's short comings can be fixed with aftermarket parts, but I would just like to see it from the factory.
cant wait to see this when they move it to the new Pilot architecture!
Ground clearance is way too low. No skid plates? So that makes it a street only truck to me. It’s a good vehicle, but Honda dropped the ball again. They make sweet atv’s & utv’s with high ground clearance, 4 wheel independent suspension. How in the hell can they not figure out how to do it for their truck & suvs? 🙄
Will it be unobtainium.
Bed is 60"x 64". Its more than 4' wide, and the wheel wells dont intrude. In some short bed mid sized trucks, the wheels kill the bed space.
I think it's good, but they really should have incorporated the pilot's new front end design as well as giving it a slightly taller suspension. Maybe one or two inches. Those two things would have really pulled it together for me.
They still want to meet emissions without buying credits from Tesla. So they keeps things conservative given Honda’s lack of hybrid engine options
Looks like a lot more room in the back seat than the taco
I wish they had a cheaper version. I looked to buy one a few years ago but couldn’t get past that it’s was the same price as the Tundra I ended up buying. If it was less I think I could have gotten my head around it.
You haven't been to a Toyota dealer recently, I am guessing.
Excellent review, When I read last year that Honda was updating the model there was one thing I didn't see. The rear bumper, did they ever affix it (weld it) to the unibody? Co-worker has one (2021), and it actually tore out/off of it's plastic housing/clips. Honestly, never seen a rear (fake) step bumper on anything classified as a small truck. and my buddy is like 160 lbs . Cheapest thing I'd ever seen on $45k truck. I'm in the market and really like the Honda line, I'd strongly consider it, but not with that bumper. If they can put a tow bar/hitch on that thing surely they should have addressed that fake step bumper by now. Thanks
If I didnt have to tow my camper I would definitely be looking at the Colorado or Ridgeline. They are both impressive in their own rights and great trucks.
I have the 2022 Black Edition. I have owned many trucks in the past and this truck is by far my favorite. Great on road trips.
Less ground clearance than a FWD hybrid Maverick. Enough said.
What do you think is the actual % of vehicles that get damaged because they have 7" of ground clearance rather than 8"? Unless you are going over sharp rocks and boulders it is a moot point.
@@Kopernicus67 don't know, probably ot many. But this is supposedly the more capable off-road version...and the ground clearance is still a joke. I'm sitting at 8.8" in my Maverick and wish I had another inch or so for when I'm on forest service roads. The Ridgeline has a longer wheelbase than it and also less ground clearance.
Exactly. Ground clearance, angles and protection are very disappointing. Even the new TS Pilot, while not great, is better than this.
The backdrop did have me fooled for the first few seconds 😯😄 hahah😅
Have they updated the adaptive cruise control in these? I drove a 2020 model and the cruise control was very jerky - which was a dealbreaker for me.
Not sure if this has the new system but I can say the newer Honda system is much better than the older one in terms of smoothness
I was really hoping Honda would give it the Pilot Trailsport treatment with a lift, tow hooks, and proper skiplates. I would have bought that in a second. I'm very disappointed with what amounts to wheel and tire package with light blue paint. Sorry Honda....you dropped the ball here.
The number of TH-cam journalists walking around this blue ridgeline on this stage is becoming hilarious. We’re
Fantastic video! These Ridgelines have been growing on me.
Not a good review more like an ad. Disappointed with tfl on this one
I actually prefer the old arm rests more.
1. They are independently adjustable,
2. I don’t have to move my arm if the passenger goes into the center council,
3. My little dog can sleep on her bed in between the front seats.
Still like my 23' HPD Ridgeline better. All I have to do is get Honda to install an oil pan guard and upgraded offroad tires and I'm good. I do like the color a lot. And also, by widening the center armrest, they deleted the adjustable armrests. I like the armrests.
So it's pretty much more of an appearance package.
I'm surprised they didn't use a 265/40r18 tires setup.
the best review i seen on this truck
Do the offer it in right hand drive?
Offering trail sport as primary a tire and appearance package is a smart play. No one buys a ridgeline for series off roading and that’s okay. It gets buyers the look they want with serious tires thrown into the overall price point. Which isn’t inflated with things like lockers lifts etc that no ridgeline buyer needs. If you want more get a jeep or a Toyota,
I’d they offered 1 inch lift a lot people would consider this for more rural areas . Great Mpg and cargo room and best use of truck bed
@@Cavemol5823they have aftermarket lifts up to 2.5 inches. Still doesnt make a difference because its not Body on Frame or has solid axels.
@@Inferno45well you wouldn’t be doing the Baja 500 in this but if offered more clearance for like rockeir areas that would be good . Gravel roads etc
I agree with what you're saying but I think Honda should have went a little further with this one. If you are putting on ATs (from the factory) then they need to beef up the driveline a little to actually make use of those aggressive tires. As is this is just a normal Ridgeline, why would you pay extra and get no extra benefit?
@@Lon1001 I think a lot of the appeal is going to be getting the tires as part of the total financing and not needing to go buy them separately. The awd system was already great and now they have the traction to match it. The benefit is mostly cosmetic
Love my Ridgeline it is the PEFECT truck
But i dont want to go off road , i want a faster highway truck . Bigger brakes , and a manual would be sweet. I wouldn't know how to even find dirt or know a farmer to let me go riding around his farm .
Still waiting for a proper compact 4x4, truck or otherwise. People make em overseas, but the smallest thing is probably a 2 door bronco or wrangler still.
This even in the softroader category has a pretty poor approach angle, not much height, and is pretty long, so still not very competitive
0:33 my favorite part. Iconic Tommy. Yas
We waited ALL year for these meager updates! How long are we going to have to wait for the complete redesign?
Some nice improvements......awful minivan armrests gone, upgraded infotainment (still no radio tuner knob) and gauge cluster. The bad.....still have the awful 9-speed transmission, towing capacity still only 5,000 lbs, (6500 would be nice), power mirror switch still on dash instead of armrest, blind spot monitor lights not in mirror, but still on door posts, ground clearance not great, ugh. My conclusion , a half-assed upgrade that still falls short
Any difference in the AWD system at least?
My goodness the reason why Honda Ridgeline isn’t respected because Honda doesn’t give what people are asking for. Give this baby a lift with real ground clearance. Some sturdy underground protection, and an option for a v8 or v6 turbo.
Also their entertainment system sucks… it‘s a pain in the a… the software system always has these delays just to switch from radio to media, ohh and don’t get me started on connecting your phone to it.
You are spot-on; the only thing missing from the infotainment is the Windows '95 startup sound when you start the truck. We had a '19 RTL-E, and yeah, sometimes when we plugged the phone in, it froze.
Flattening out the front end is definitely a good move by Honda. Makes it look more 'truck-like' which helps their street-cred.
Why is the 2024 still on the old platform? Why not build on the new Pilot? Fingers crossed that the '25 will be an all new platform. I'll wait.
A'int that the truth?
Are we sure they didn’t lift it does it say anywhere ground clearance ? It does say revised suspension
Always loved the Ridgeline, wish I could afford one. Maybe one day
Really surprised it didn’t get the Honda Pilot’s level of upgrades for the Trailsport trim. Sad as I had looked forward to getting this, but may go Taco instead. Very disappointed. Good video as always though.
I miss my Ridgeline. Gave it to my son and bought a Jeep Gladiator Mojave. The Gladiator is a nice convertible truck for my place down in Florida but it rides like s--t on the highway. The steering is light and unresponsive, completely opposite of the Ridgeline. I also have a Jeep Grand Cherokee up North that I may trade in for Ridgeline TrailSport. The blue color is ok but a bit feminine looking imo. The TrailSport is cool as hell and the ride is second to none. Great job Honda!
First let's stop trying to normalize high prices on trucks, especially for trims that are only appearance packages. $50k is crazy for this.
Try 65k for the Colorado off road version. Insanity
I have a ridgeline... if you want to hardcore off-road go get a toyota taco, gladiator, ranger, or a colorado. If you already have a ridgline get yourself after market parts. Traxda & HRG are great.
This, I have had a 2017 and currently a 2021 Ridgeline. I have equipped both with a set of 17 inch Steelies mounted with AT tires (Wildpeaks AT3Ws on the 17 in stock size, Nomad Grapplers on the 21 now that are sized at 265/70/17, 2" over stock size) and the off-road capability was more than adequate for anything other than rock crawling.
@jg8263 thats the way to do it. We off road a lot with the ridgeline, just nothing too hard. I dont think this trailsport is necessary.
@@jg8263Yup. Tires are the best upgrade for just about everything. Off roading, towing, track, efficiency, etc.
Definitely rethinking the ridgeline.Have a f150 pickup 12 years old too big ,wide turning radius,never bought a towing reciever .Still has a 6 cylinder.4 cylinder turbo charged engine burns lots of fuel if you have a slightly heavy foot.
Stamped brand names is super tacky. Those tires look less aggressive than 23 Firestones. Needs a major facelift snd better tranny and it would be fine.
They did the Trailsport right with the Pilot- which is a minivan substitute, but really missed with the Ridgeline and Passport.
My two biggest problems with Honda Ridgeline are: intrusive safety brake constantly banging on your left foot (pedal? in 2024?), and no stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. In addition, it appears that the seats were modified to not include an armrest towards the center anymore. In other words, they force you now to use an arm rest. As a larger driver, I prefer driving with my right hand arm rest up, to have more room. Can't do that anymore.
I agree about the armrests.
Well this is a disappointing offering to say the least. its another Trailsport appearance pkg on sky blue like the Passport except for tires and a skid plate. Still has the older engine and 9 sp. Maybe they gave it the pilot awd system?, but wo that and a lift its just a regular ridgeline w all terrain tires. Plus the tires are too small at 29.5". The pilot has 265/60/18s(30.5s) on all trims i think, it really needs 65s on the TS. This should have 65s min too but really it should have 245/70/18s or 265/65/18s both 31.5s with a lift, not to mention the rest of the pilot ts stuff like tow hooks and full size spare. at least they give you a tow hitch but you dont get alot with Honda these days except for the name and reliability. I suppose thats enough for Honda but i guess the bean counters decided the pilot ts has more off road buyers. strange you would think the opposite but the 3 row suv still has a shorter wb. at4 and zr2 are way better off roaders. id like to see side steps and roof rails also. I wish the spare was underneath bc there is no way a full size spare would fit in the bed trunk. side tailgate is a must and was a class exclusive but now full size trucks have followed suit and so should the rest. No 110v inside or the bed, no usb in 2nd row? shame w the roomiest in class. the rear under seat storage needs refinement and its still not a flat load floor w seats up. id still take one over a tacoma anyday(as tommy said, way more comfortable) except for the all black interior, but well see if they improve the seats on the new tacos. In which case id still rather have a ridgeline bc if one thing Honda does right its ease of use, comfort, and practicality. Its a good driving cross truck for us old folks over 50 but for off road the pilot ts is better and so are most other midsize trucks.
While I'll admit that they have improved the looks, I dont think I'll ever get past the idea that a unibody pickup should cost substantially less than a body on frame pickup (I thought lower production cost was one of the main advantages of unibody construction). The simple fact that having Ridgline money means I also have Frontier, Ranger, and maybe even Tacoma money means I can never see myself buying one. There's just too much competition from the traditional pickups that I know and love.
Its also depends on your priorities as not everyone has the same priorities in their preferences in a truck. For those who prioritise ride comfort, roomy interior & cargo capacity along with a decent towing capability, the Ridgeline would be a good option. It is also a great alternative for a road trip truck as its fuel efficient over the competition’s non hybrid offerings.
@@DarthNero The Ridgeline ticks off most of my personal priorities - I want a decent sized bed to start doing all the projects I want to do, car/SUV has always been just not enough, as I live in SK I need some ground clearance and an AWD system that is capable in all sorts of winter conditions plus I want to be able to go down some trails that are beyond the capabilities of my sedan and would be a little abusive to most SUVs. I don't want to overland and I don't tow any heavy trailers but would like to tow a small little pocket cruiser sailboat to the lake which this Ridgeline could do just fine. If this ridgline was reliably good (and better than the average SUV) offroad it would give me some assurance it's the right one but from what I can see that is not where Honda wants to put the focus (despite many people that are wanting that capability). I just can't justify the price of new vehicles these days and I doubt this one will still be on the road when I'm looking for a decent used one in my budget.
Well that's where they got you fooled. It actually doesn't cost then any where near as much to manufacturer those trucks as much as they cost.
As well look the actual design and structure of the Ridgeline, it's not just a big crossover with a bed.
It has a fully boxed frame that is welded to the body, and the box has it's own unique bones that makes it rigid and solid. That's why the big 3 are laughing to the bank. They build those half time for like maybe 20-28k a unit, and make 10-15k profit a unit.
Where as they only make 3-5k back on the SUVs
Ridgeline has more interior than the rest of the mid-size line up and a v6
Ginger Billy may argue he has the original "Trail Ready" Ridgeline 😂
😁👍
God that man is hilarious “my wife had a dream i cheated on her and is now mad at me”
So what im hearing is wait for the next gen Ridgeline Trailsport :)
That's what I heard.
1 - needs at least a 1" suspension lift / not blocks or body lift
2 - should have went to a 17" wheel and thus a larger side profile tire
3 - love the way the rear seat folds up and all that floor space - I have a large dog that rides with me all the time and this is one of the first things I check - new Tundra?? huge truck but that's where they store the battery/under the rear seat. Tacoma? nope Ranger? nope Frontier? nope.....it's a TRUCK why can't they make more USABLE space like Honda did here. Well done, Honda.
Too many incandescent lights on it for 2024
at least they stuck with the v6 and not going to turbos.
Love the new TrailSport edition but cannot believe they didn't upgrade to the 285hp V6 with the 10 speed automatic.
Yeah would have like to see another 1.5 inches of ground clearance. Overall real nice truck. Unfortunate how it got that not a truck stigma. I think it they would have made it easy to add off road lights, come stock with an inverter tow hook attachments and include hill incline and decent level indicators it would help break that stigma while only marginally adding to the cost.
I just brought a 2024 ridgeline trailsport to much wind noise they gotta a address that problem
Very nice. A smooth N/A V6, and a proper gear lever. 👌
Wow nice but what a missed opportunity! I think many were waiting on the fence. But with Honda not really doing enough??? No lift by an inch, no increased towing, no tow hooks, no real underbody protection…. Uuugh. I think Honda just missed out on a lot of sales! It’s good start but why would people wait and wait and wait and wait for Honda to produce what we need and want.
Well said.
So funny because so few people use even a small percentage of their trucks offroad capability.
The vast majority of people will use a SXS or ATV to actually offroad.
Nice video
Not fan of baby blue , the orange doesn’t make sense on the grill with exterior color . My concerns it’s still too low to the ground. Test when get a chance ❤ no lift hurts off road package . 8 inches isn’t great. Looks like they have little more protection to do some flat road off roading. Would work in CA in most areas though the bed is still best part of the truck
Came for the Ridgeline disappointment, stayed for the picturesque background
I never cared for the spare tire placement. What if you're loaded down with bags of sand or cement and pavers, and you have a flat tire, or you just bought a new dryer?
Mid cycle refresh? Good lord it’s time to get a new generation. The Passport and Ridgeline are both very over due for a new generation. The Passport should be especially easy since the Pilot is already out.
Love the skid plate , but no front recovery hooks? I guess it's so good that it's ever gets stuck & have to recovery!
Can you get the trailsport w the HPD??
Or maybe its because it never touches grass. 😂
Still waiting for the real offroad package. Needs a lot more clearance, real underbody armor and 360 cameras to be worthy of the “trail” label.
Had 2 Ridgelines in the past 1st and 2nd gen, now driving a Taco, Honda is by far the best on Road pick up truck, best ride and most comfortable interior of any mid size, I like what they did with the center console on this one but definitely missed the mark on more ground clearance for a “trail” rated version and still not able to store full size spare under bed compartment as they did on the 1st gen is another miss.
Driving an 2010 F150 have a full size spare it has never been used, I guess Honda thinks a temp spare is good, I agree with them.
Love the Ridgeline. But I don't understand why they didn't lifted a bit the TrailSport model. It has the same ground clearance than the other trims. Why? Honda missed a good opportunity there.
The Ridgeline could be a beast off road, instead it continues to disappoint…
Looks good
I wish they would make a 4 x 4 model
Where are the rumored 385HP and 10 speed transmission from the 2023 Passport? Disappointed to say the least. I had a 2019 RTL-E that I sold before moving out of US for work. I would have bought a 22 or 23 but the 9speed trans was the deal breaker (I have it in my wife's 2021 Pilot and I prefer the old 6 speed).
What a damn disappointment. It should have been redesigned long time ago.
I like the Ridge Line .
$455 for the paint. Thanks a lot.
Needs AC outlets in the bed and a 3½" lift
Usable bed ? 😂 you can tell Tommy was going hard for Honda here.