2022 Honda Ridgeline: Will Next-Gen Honda Ridgeline Looks Like This
2022 Honda Ridgeline The Honda Ridgeline is unique in its use of unibody construction, unlike the body-on-frame backbone that every other pickup truck uses. The unconventional layout carries its pros and cons, but the result is clear: the Ridgeline is our favorite mid-range pickup.
The Ridgeline is based on the Honda Pilot SUV, and the two vehicles are almost indistinguishable from the driver’s seat.
That’s great because the seats and interior design are used together to give the Ridgeline better seat comfort and a more luxurious look than other mid-size trucks.
The rear seat is also more spacious than the competitors. And because of its crossover foundation, the Ridgeline drives much more comfortably than other trucks – midsize or vice versa.
Unfortunately, the Ridgeline’s reduced ride height relative to other pickups and the lack of low-range gear makes it less off-roading than its rivals.
It also has a lower tow capacity than other mid-sized trucks. Buyers who need their trucks to haul truck goods may be better off with a Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado.
On the other hand, if you stick to the curb and just want the utility the bed provides, the Honda Ridgeline is likely a better choice.
2022 Honda Ridgeline News
A pickup truck should be a very rational purchase. Such as the type of trash bag and rational skim milk. But the most rational pickup of them all doesn’t think twice. Why?
The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is the highest rated mid-size pickup – by a large margin.
That’s partly because of Honda’s common sense to include active safety features at all trim levels of its trucks, but also because the Ridgeline largely skips on fleet-focused and stripped trucks that are useful for work, but are penalized on our rating scale.
Looking for logic in all the right places, I spent a week on the Honda Ridgeline and found love in all the wrong places. Its TCC rating is 7.0 – in fact, the Porsche 911 is stratospheric – and I’d like to know why.
After releasing the 2015 and 2016 models, the Honda Ridgeline returns with an all-new look in 2017. Even though it looks new, the source material remains the Honda Pilot, as in the previous generation.
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With this truck still relatively fresh and unique in the mid-range pickup, we expect the Honda Ridgeline 2021 to get a light refresher but it remains largely unchanged.
With crossover SUVs and pickup trucks more popular than ever, Honda combines the two genres with the groundbreaking 2020 Ridgeline. Of course, it doesn’t pull as much as its competitors and looks like a minivan with a tailgate-mounted on the truck.
However, Honda’s cabin was better built and more spacious than anything in its class. Also, the cargo bed can handle traditional tasks and offers unconventional features thanks to the in-bed luggage and audio system provided.
It also demonstrates excellent athleticism and excellent ride quality which makes it enjoyable during everyday use. Even though the 2020 Ridgeline is often ostracized by pickup enthusiasts, it should be glorified by everyone who wants a truck.
We experienced aRidgeline 2019 for testing over 40,000 miles and consider it fun and reliable companion.
Ridgeline is receiving some minor updates for 2020. This includes a new nine-speed automatic transmission, more standard features, and fewer trim levels. The product lineup no longer includes the basic RT or RTL-T variants.
Likewise, the previous standard 5.0-inch non-touch infotainment system has been replaced by the new 8.0-inch standard touch screen. Unfortunately, the refurbished unit still lacks a volume knob.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Exterior and Interior
The Ridgeline excels when it comes to highly competent pickups. Beds and truck bodies are easier to reach and better thanks to multi-functional truck bodies that were multifunctional before multi-function had a name.
The rear door is hinged at the bottom, much like a traditional pickup truck body, but is also side-hinged for easy access to the back of the bed and underfloor storage compartments.
Other truck makers followed suit. The rear seats are usable, although a little cramped compared to the Pilot crossover and the mechanically linked Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline is great at holding people and cargo the way a pickup should.
From the outside, we hope the Honda Ridgeline 2021 can come up with the same basic look from 2017, which is a Honda Pilot with a bunk. This design might not be sought after by truck enthusiasts, but it’s a great balance for someone who needs the occasional truck but doesn’t like the rugged appearance that most pickups have.
While the basic design will remain, we are expecting some minor changes to the soft parts. Honda hasn’t confirmed this light refresh yet, but we expect to see an update to the bumper and possibly the grille and headlights.
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Inside, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline delights the family with a Pilot-sourced dashboard that is stylish, clean, easy to see, and offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
It also has 36.7 inches of rear legroom, leaving plenty of room for rear-seat passengers. We hope this crossover-based cabin remains the same in the Ridgeline 2021.
On top of the 8-inch touchscreen, the 2020 Ridgeline standard features include keyless ignition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more. We hope it will stay the same in 2021.
Ridgeline interiors are top in class when it comes to practicality and comfort. Like most mid-size pickups, Honda features a hard plastic under the dashboard.
Otherwise, the ingredients are above average. Rear seat passengers will enjoy the most space of all mid-range competitors. The folding armrests on the two front seats are a welcome addition, especially as the center console sits low between the two.
The Honda pickup has only one bunk length, 5.3 feet, which is parallel to the competitor’s short bunk and has the second-lowest volume at 34 cubic feet. The antidote to this difference is its weather-locked, locked trunk with a capacity of 7.3 cubic feet.
There’s one more advantage: with 50.0 inches between the wheelhouses of the bed, the Ridgeline is the only mid-size pickup that can fit a four-by-eight-foot piece of building material on the floor of the bed.
The smart features continue on the inside. The rear seats split 60/40 and, when reversed, provide space to fit a full-size bike. Unfortunately, loading large items can be difficult, because the back door does not open wide.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Engine
Powering the current Ridgeline is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque which is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Power goes to the front wheels as standard, but all-wheel drive is available. With all-wheel drive, the Ridgeline’s crane capacity is up to 5,000 pounds – about 2,000 pounds shorter than most others in its class. The powertrain is likely to stay the same in the 2021 Ridgeline.
The Honda Ridgeline is currently a rarity in the automotive world: a truck that has passed its full safety test. Thanks to its “Good” crash test scores in all major IIHS areas and the “Superior” standard automatic emergency braking system, the 2020 Ridgeline is IIHS ‘Top Safety Choice.
That said, except for some structural work, the Ridgeline 2021 will not retain the Top Safety Choice ranking. The latest IIHS criteria require a “Good” score on the passenger side minor overlap test, and the 2020 Ridgeline only achieves an “Acceptable” rating.
Otherwise, we expect all the other standard safety ratings and features to stay the same on the Ridgeline 2021.
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The single powertrain is a 280-hp 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 262 lb-ft of torque and is connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine feels smooth, and throttle response is very easy to accept when you need a hard acceleration.
An untraditional pickup in many ways, the Ridgeline stunned from behind the wheel. On the road, it was polite and felt very competent. Its coil-sprung independent rear suspension contributes to a ride-like quality not available with the solid-axle leaf-sprung arrangement used by competitors.
The body rests at a minimal angle, and small bumps are barely visible. Electrically assisted steering feels just right. The Ridgeline’s braking performance stands out as its only dynamic flaw. The braking distance from 70 mph to zero in on the long side,
Ridgeline is fast, but in terms of withdrawals, it’s lacking. The front-wheel-drive model can pull a maximum of 3,500 pounds. The all-wheel-drive Ridgelines weighs 5,000 pounds, which is about a tonne lighter than its V-6 rival.
The V-6 on the Ridgeline is the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder engine in its class, regardless of whether it is equipped with front or all-wheel drive.
During our 200-mile road fuel-economy test, the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline outperformed the road rating by a significant 3 mpg, at 28 mpg. That figure fits our results for the GMC Canyon with a diesel engine and all-wheel drive, which is impressive considering Honda’s petrol engine.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Price and Release Date
This mid-size truck segment has become too saturated with traditional body-on-frame pickups that provide ample traction and off-road capability. However, the 2020 Ridgeline caters to people who want a more comfortable and fuel-efficient alternative.
While the most expensive models have the most luxurious features, we think the RTL has the best mix of equipment and desired value.
We would recommend adding an optional all-wheel-drive system, as it makes Honda useful across all four seasons and allows it to tow up to 5000 pounds (3500 pounds max front-drive model).
Additionally, the Ridgeline RTL receives better standard features than the Sport’s lower trim levels. This includes heated front seats, leather-upholstered interior, and power-adjustable front seats.
Honda has yet to announce an official sale date for the Ridgeline 2021. Based on the previous release schedule, we expect an early 2021 arrival.
Pricing is yet to be confirmed as well, but with no major changes to come, the Ridgeline 2021 price is likely to stay close to the model’s current MSRP range from $ 35,020 to $ 44,640 (including destination costs).
- Sports – $ 35,020
- RTL – $ 37,790
- RTL-E – $ 43,140
- Black Edition – $ 44,640