2025 Honda Ridgeline

How does the Ridgeline drive? If you want a truck that doesn't drive like a truck, you should really consider the Honda Ridgeline. It steers accurately and feels relatively agile and confident in turns, even when driving over bumps. This is where the Ridgeline's SUV-like unibody design shines through.

Honda's V6 engine holds up well against the newer competition's turbocharged four-cylinder engine offerings, At our test track, a Ridgeline TrailSport accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, which is a relatively quick time for a midsize truck. We did notice the transmission can be a bit slow to downshift when you want it.

The TrailSport version infuses a bit more off-road ability in the Ridgeline. Underbody oil pan protection has been added alongside an off-road-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires. But low-range gearing and true off-road wheel articulation that allow other 4WD pickups to venture into rockier territory are not things the TrailSport provides.

How comfortable is the Ridgeline? The Ridgeline has a smooth ride for a pickup. It easily absorbs bumps in the road. The front seats have thin-yet-supportive padding that provides good long-distance comfort. The cushions are broad enough to accommodate larger folks, and effective side bolsters help keep drivers with narrower frames from sliding around.

Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum in the cabin. The exception is the surprisingly playful and grunty V6, which you'll hear when you mat the gas. A tri-zone automatic climate control system is standard across the range, which is rare, and it cools and heats the cabin well.

How’s the interior? The Ridgeline is friendly to the driver and passengers alike. It's easy to find a comfortable driving position, and getting in and out is a breeze thanks to wide opening doors and lots of legroom. Cabin passenger space is also unusually generous for a truck.

From the driver's seat, visibility is expansive and the squared-off hood helps you get a better sense of where the front of the truck is. The large rear window helps you see items that are in the bed or cars behind you.

How are the towing and storage? The Ridgeline's bed is the only one in the class that can hold 4-foot-wide plywood sheets without them perching on top of the wheelwells. Payload is pretty decent at 1,583 pounds in the right trim. That's enough to haul large loads of lumber or gravel, or possibly a pair of motorcycles in the bed. The Ridgeline still has that cool lockable in-bed trunk and a trick two-way tailgate that opens down or sideways.

Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Other trucks can pull more but we consider 5,000 pounds a decent amount. If you're really into towing, you probably want to get a full-size truck anyway.

Inside, the Ridgeline blows the competition away. Many small cubbies, a massive center console bin, and a big, flat storage area underneath the rear seats mean you might never have too much stuff. The Ridgeline's roomy rear seat also makes it easy to install child safety seats.

Is the Ridgeline a good value? You get a lot for your money with a Ridgeline. Even the base Sport trim has a nearly full suite of standard driver assist features, along with smartphone integration and tri-zone automatic climate control. Prices at the top end of the Ridgeline lineup are no longer quite as steep compared to current segment offerings, plus you get solid build quality and a more family-friendly cabin than you'd typically see in a truck.

Warranty coverage in the Ridgeline is average with basic coverage and roadside assistance for three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage for five years/60,000 miles.

The Ridgeline has always been the kind of pickup truck buyers would be quite happy with if they focused on need instead of want. In terms of driving fun, there are two ways to think about the Ridgeline. The first way is to be disappointed that, even in TrailSport trim, it can't crawl up rocks like a Gladiator Rubicon. The second way is to see it as way more fun to drive every day thanks to class-leading handling and steering dynamics without losing the capability for some light dirt work as well. We choose the latter.

Despite all of its talents, there's no denying how dated the Ridgeline feels inside compared to its midsize truck rivals. We're ready to see what Honda has in store for the next generation.