The Honda Ridgeline stands out in the mid-size pickup truck market with its unique blend of car-like comfort and truck utility. Unlike traditional body-on-frame trucks, the Ridgeline utilizes a unibody construction, leading to a smoother ride and better handling. This approach, however, also presents certain advantages and disadvantages that potential buyers should carefully consider. This article will delve into the pros and cons of owning a Honda Ridgeline, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision.
Honda Ridgeline: Pros and Cons Overview
| Feature | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Ride and Handling | Smooth, comfortable ride; Car-like handling; Independent rear suspension; Reduced body roll. | Less off-road capability compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks. |
| Unibody Construction | Superior structural rigidity; Quieter cabin; Improved fuel efficiency compared to traditional trucks. | More complex and potentially expensive to repair after significant collisions. |
| Engine and Transmission | Powerful and refined V6 engine; Smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission; Adequate towing capacity for most needs. | Limited engine options; No available diesel or hybrid powertrain. |
| Interior and Comfort | Spacious and well-designed cabin; Comfortable seats; User-friendly infotainment system; Quiet interior. | Some may find the interior design less rugged or truck-like. |
| Bed and Cargo Space | In-bed trunk; Dual-action tailgate; Wide and flat bed floor; Cargo-area lighting. | Smaller bed size compared to some competitors; Lower payload capacity than traditional trucks. |
| Towing and Payload | Towing capacity suitable for boats, campers, and trailers; Adequate payload for typical hauling needs. | Not as capable for heavy-duty towing or hauling compared to full-size or heavier-duty mid-size trucks. |
| Safety Features | Excellent safety ratings; Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features; Standard safety equipment. | - |
| Reliability | Historically strong reliability record; Lower maintenance costs compared to some competitors. | Some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system. |
| Fuel Efficiency | Better fuel economy than most other mid-size trucks. | Fuel economy not as impressive as some SUVs. |
| Resale Value | Generally holds its value well. | - |
| Price | Competitive pricing within the mid-size truck segment. | Higher starting price than some base-model competitors. |
| Exterior Design | Distinctive and modern styling; Available features like LED headlights and taillights. | Styling can be polarizing; Some find it less traditionally "truck-like." |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | Standard AWD provides enhanced traction in various weather conditions. | - |
| Resale Value | Generally holds its value well. | - |
Detailed Explanations
Ride and Handling: The Honda Ridgeline's unibody construction and independent rear suspension contribute to a ride quality that's remarkably smooth and comfortable, more akin to a car or SUV than a traditional pickup truck. Handling is precise and responsive, making it easy to maneuver in city traffic and on winding roads. However, this emphasis on on-road comfort compromises its off-road prowess compared to body-on-frame trucks with solid axles and greater suspension travel.
Unibody Construction: Unlike most trucks that use a separate frame and body, the Ridgeline features a unibody design, where the body and frame are integrated into a single unit. This results in superior structural rigidity, leading to a quieter cabin and improved fuel efficiency. The downside is that repairing significant damage after a collision can be more complex and potentially more expensive compared to traditional body-on-frame trucks.
Engine and Transmission: The Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers ample power and smooth acceleration. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that shifts seamlessly, contributing to a refined driving experience. While the engine provides sufficient power for most tasks, the Ridgeline lacks the engine options offered by some competitors, such as diesel or hybrid powertrains.
Interior and Comfort: The Ridgeline boasts a spacious and well-designed cabin with comfortable seats and user-friendly controls. The interior is surprisingly quiet, further enhancing the overall driving experience. While the interior is functional and comfortable, some may find the design less rugged or truck-like than that of other mid-size pickups.
Bed and Cargo Space: The Ridgeline's bed features several innovative features, including an in-bed trunk, a dual-action tailgate that can swing open or fold down, and a wide, flat bed floor. These features make it easier to load and unload cargo. However, the bed is shorter than those of some competitors, and the payload capacity is lower than that of traditional trucks.
Towing and Payload: The Ridgeline offers a towing capacity suitable for boats, campers, and trailers, and its payload capacity is adequate for typical hauling needs. While it can handle most everyday tasks, it's not as capable for heavy-duty towing or hauling compared to full-size or heavier-duty mid-size trucks. If you regularly tow or haul heavy loads, you may want to consider a more capable truck.
Safety Features: The Honda Ridgeline consistently earns excellent safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Reliability: Honda has a long-standing reputation for building reliable vehicles, and the Ridgeline is no exception. Owners typically report fewer maintenance issues compared to some other mid-size trucks. However, some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, such as glitches and slow response times.
Fuel Efficiency: Thanks to its unibody construction and efficient V6 engine, the Ridgeline achieves better fuel economy than most other mid-size trucks. While it's not as fuel-efficient as some SUVs, it offers a good balance of fuel economy and utility.
Resale Value: Honda vehicles generally hold their value well, and the Ridgeline is no different. Its strong resale value makes it a good investment for those who plan to sell or trade in their truck in the future.
Price: The Honda Ridgeline is competitively priced within the mid-size truck segment. While it may have a higher starting price than some base-model competitors, its standard features and overall value make it a worthwhile investment for many buyers.
Exterior Design: The Ridgeline features a distinctive and modern exterior design, with available features like LED headlights and taillights. However, its styling can be polarizing, as some find it less traditionally "truck-like" than other mid-size pickups.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD): The Ridgeline comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), which provides enhanced traction in various weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and ice. This makes it a capable and confident vehicle for driving in all seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Ridgeline a real truck? Yes, the Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size pickup truck, but it uses a unibody construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame design found in most trucks. This gives it a smoother ride and better handling, but it may not be as capable for heavy-duty off-roading.
What is the towing capacity of the Honda Ridgeline? The towing capacity of the Honda Ridgeline is up to 5,000 pounds, depending on the model year and configuration. This is sufficient for towing boats, campers, and trailers.
What is the payload capacity of the Honda Ridgeline? The payload capacity of the Honda Ridgeline is around 1,580 pounds, depending on the model year and configuration. This is adequate for hauling most everyday items, but it's lower than that of some traditional trucks.
Is the Honda Ridgeline good in snow? Yes, the Honda Ridgeline is good in snow thanks to its standard all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which provides enhanced traction in slippery conditions. Winter tires are recommended for optimal performance in heavy snow.
What are the common problems with the Honda Ridgeline? Some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, such as glitches and slow response times. However, the Ridgeline generally has a strong reliability record.
Conclusion
The Honda Ridgeline offers a unique blend of car-like comfort and truck utility, making it a compelling option for buyers who prioritize ride quality, handling, and interior comfort over extreme off-road capability or heavy-duty towing. While it may not be the best choice for those who need a traditional work truck, the Ridgeline excels as a versatile and reliable vehicle for everyday use and light-duty tasks. Carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine if the Ridgeline meets your specific needs and preferences.