2020 Honda Ridgeline

The lineup has been trimmed down to just four trims, all of which share the same powertrain, it is simpler than ever to decide which one suits you the best. The prices for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline starts at $33,900 for the base Sport trim and can go up to $43,520 for the top of the line Black Edition. However, the features list is generously distributed over the entire lineup, and you would not be left out of much even if you go for the standard Sport trim. The RTL and RTL-Extended trims rack up the more luxurious and practical features, which is why these two make the best deal out of the lot. But if you really have to flaunt to other RAM and Toyota trucks that you might encounter on your journey, you better have the top-of-the-line Black Edition. It has some exclusive "blacked-out" design elements that bring out the bad-boy image on the surface and inside the cabin.

What would we recommend?

The RTL trim is the one that adds the most at the minimal price gap from the base trim level. You have access to most of the packages, so you can build the truck exactly as you want without mounting up a serious finance bill with your bank.

A naturally-aspirated 3.5L V6 engine drives the Honda Ridgeline forward. While the lower trim levels have FWD as standard, the i-VTM4 AWD system is the one that offers the most fun and function. The 3.5 L V6 engine of the 2020 Ridgeline produces 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for a mid-sized pickup. You get a brisk acceleration as you press down on the pedal. The throttle response is immediate and the Ridgeline can surprise you with its agility when you are behind the wheel.

We are glad that the old CVT has been retired. In its place sits a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission that does a great job of handling all that power to the wheels. However, there is no gear lever or even paddle shifts. When Honda says that it is an ‘automatic’, that is meant literally. The driving mode is managed through a tiny selector dial on the center console. It is a weird experience for someone used to the conventional shifters but it is very convenient when you realize you will be driving the Ridgeline inside the city, mostly, with a lot of stop-and-go traffic situations during the day.

It is the toque that matters most for the pickups. Taking that into account, the Honda Ridgeline ends up at the bottom of the segment. Its V6 engine may be decent for an SUV but on a pickup, it’s way behind the Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado. Even the GMC Canyon has refined its 8-speed transmission for 2020, making it one of the fastest pickups at this price range.

How fast is the Honda Ridgeline?

Due to its sheer weight and lack of power, the Honda Ridgeline is stuck with commuting duty. The Honda Ridgeline accelerates from 60-0 mph in 7.2 seconds. That is good enough to provide a smooth curve to achieve reasonable speeds, yet it is barely good enough to let the Ridgeline overtake speeding traffic out on the freeway. Having said that, a 0-60 timing of 7.2 seconds for a 4445 lbs pickup truck is actually not that bad. There are a lot of compact SUVs and Crossovers that take longer than the Ridgeline to breach the 60MPH mark from a standstill. 

The acceleration is linear and the 9-speed gearbox makes sure that the shifts are smooth. However, the unibody construction of the Ridgeline results in some nose lift. That, in turn, reduces the traction of the front wheels which might result in torque steer. The AWD system with its smart torque vectoring definitely reduces the chances of the same.

Don’t expect the Honda Ridgeline to beat any of the other all-American mid-sized pickups in a race anytime soon. The Chevrolet Colorado with the Z71 package is the swiftest truck in this segment. Despite its lack of performance, the Ridgeline doesn’t deliver on the emissions as well. You would pay a lot less to the EPA if you would go for a Ford Ranger LARIAT. The Ford Ranger's 2.3L Inline-4 engine might seem meek here, yet the Ecoboost technology does its wizardry, providing ample grunt to the pickup. As a result, the Ford Ranger can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds. 

Are the brakes on the Honda Ridgeline any good?

The Ridgeline uses the same brakes as the smaller Honda Pilot, which means the Ridgeline is a chore to stop at high speeds. The brake travel is more than necessary and most of the bite does not kick in unless you really floor the pedal. In standard conditions, it takes 128 feet to stop the Honda Ridgeline from 60 mph. It is a good braking performance for its class if only the brakes were much more responsive.

The Automated Emergency Braking System, part of the Honda Safety Suite, is still not optimized. It is too eager to slam on the brakes even if the front car is a good distance off the front grille. Apart from that, the brakes are exactly what you would expect from a pickup truck. The nosedive is apparent and that really eats up into the comfort quotient.

In terms of braking, the lighter trucks in this segment only slightly exceed the Honda Ridgeline. Even though the Chevrolet Colorado has RWD, it can still stop better than the Ridgeline, thanks to the modular GMT 31XX chassis that utilizes better weight distribution. The heavyweight GMC Canyon ends up at the bottom for the same reason. It is way too heavy to stop promptly.

How well does the Honda Ridgeline handle?

The steering of the Honda Ridgeline feels exacting and sharp. For a pickup truck, it seems to handle more like a large crossover. Thanks to its tight body design, there is minimal roll along the corners. The Ridgeline feels planted and well-balanced even as you start to pick up some speed. With the FWD version, you may struggle to grip a windy road down a mountain, but the AWD system with torque vectoring grants it a lot of traction. Combine that with a compact Crew Cab size and this is the perfect truck blended for urban driving.

Since the rear axle is not solid, the ride quality suffers a bit. A multi-link rear suspension does its best to keep things composed, but a rough tarmac can be felt much easier than any Ford or Chevy truck. The engine at a manageable level. The use of acoustic glass on the windows further minimize the road noise. All in all, the unibody design helps the case- it adds to the comfort of the truck by minimizing body roll. It also reduces the overall weight of the vehicle that, in turn, makes it feel way less lethargic than some of its competitors.

Can the Honda Ridgeline go Off-Road and what are its towing capabilities?

The AWD system utilizes Honda’s intelligent Variable Traction Management(i-VTM) technology. This grants the Ridgeline the ability to tackle muddy, snowy, and wet roads conditions. Still, this truck is not suitable to go exploring trails out in the wild. There is not a low-range gearbox or a solid rear axle to make this pickup get over steep terrain. The low ride height is another reason why you would get damage to the underbelly if you encounter rough terrain on your expeditions.

The lack of power means that the Honda Ridgeline is not that much good towing heavy caravans, either. It is something the dealer would make it extremely clear to you when you go for a test drive at the showroom. With a towing capacity rated at 5000 lbs, it performs way behind the GMCs and Chevrolets of its class. The Ford Ranger has the best towing capacity, in spite of the smallest engine, thanks to its excellent turbocharging technology and a robust 10-speed SelectsShift transmission. The low toeing capacity of the Ridgeline can also be blamed on its unibody construction.

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Why does the Honda Ridgeline lag behind in terms of sales figures?

How reliable is the Honda Ridgeline?

Its size doesn’t let the Honda Ridgeline fall behind for fuel economy. With AWD, the truck can manage a respectable 21 miles per gallon of fuel. The FWD variant does even better with 22 mpg combined. Credit goes to direct injection and cylinder deactivation that do their part for the impressive numbers. The numbers have been further divided- the Ridgeline manages 19 MPG at city speeds and 24 at highway speeds with the AWD drivetrain. 

Even with a smaller 19.5-gallon fuel tank, the Ridgeline can go 410 miles when it finally needs a refill. It beats almost all other mid-sized pickups for their fuel economy, except for the Ford Ranger. This one uses an EcoBoost engine that delivers more miles per gallon of fuel. The 2020 Ford Ranger delivers a segment-leading combined mpg figure of 22. However, its smaller gas tank limits the driving range.

Seated inside the Honda Ridgeline, you might get flashbacks of the Pilot if you have driven the crossover before. The interior is cavernous and there is plenty of legroom in the back even with taller passengers seated upfront. One of the major problems we had with the predecessor was a restrictive rear door opening that made it difficult to ingress/egress the vehicle for the rear passengers. Thankfully, the 2020 update finally fixes the problem.

Aside from a few panel gaps, the Honda Ridgeline's interior is very well organized. Build quality is exactly what you expect from Honda. Even the cloth upholstery is put together with immaculate attention-to-detail. The RTL trim gets you leather interior, adding even more to the aesthetics of the cabin. At the top of the hill sits the Black Edition. This trim gets custom upholstery and special red interior ambient lighting, giving a little more character to the truck. You also get a sliding rear window that allows the cabin to feel more airy and open.

As for the competition, their large size gives them more headroom in the front. Yet, the rear passenger space is cramped since the Honda Ridgeline has no rear solid axle. This allows for more space at the front of the bed. The GMC Canyon is a larger truck in general, which accounts for its excess space. Even so, none of the American pickups can match the Ridgeline for its comfort and interior quality.

How good is the infotainment system on the Honda Ridgeline?

A new upgraded 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display inhabits the front dash. It supports smartphone integration through both Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Navigation and multimedia control is much better when you pair your smartphone with the system. However, Honda’s satellite-based navigation system is a good alternative. When compared to Google Maps that you might use through your smartphone, the stock navigation takes much longer to decide on routes and the traffic data is usually not up to speed. Both the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay make it easier for the user to access their mobile phones via driving. This can be used for various other tasks apart from using the navigation. 

The Honda Ridgeline also offers voice commands. However, the system understands only basic commands. You can long-press the voice command button to activate your phone's voice assistant. Probably the biggest let down of the infotainment system is the lack of a physical volume knob. If you are wearing gloves, it makes it impossible to change the volume without taking the gloves off. Having said that, the Ridgeline does have a trick up its sleeve in the infotainment department. It can be opted with speakers in the bed. Tailgate parties are on!! In addition to this, the system uses actuators to vibrate the whole bed turning it into one large speaker.

Some of the most notable infotainment features include:

• AM/FM/HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Navigation
• AUX Cable Input
• In-Bed Audio System
• HondaLink Connectivity
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming
• Dual USB Smart Charging Ports

How much can the Honda Ridgeline carry?

Besides the cargo bed, there are two other cargo spaces that can be used to store substantial luggage. A 7.3 cubic feet storage is present inside the bed. It is waterproof, so you can store your clean clothes when out on a trip. The tailgate opens two-way, making it easier to load both wide and taller items in. A second compartment behind the rear seats offers another 2.9 cubic feet of storage.

The bed is rated to hold more than 1500 lbs of cargo, which is good enough for its class. Inside the cabin, there are several smartly-placed storage compartments, which means you have space for essentials like wallets or purses. A slide-open pocket in the center of the console allows for even more storage space. All cupholders can hold beverages of all sizes, not letting you worry the next time you turn up at the drive-thru during your weekend trip. 

When compared to the rivals, the Ridgeline does better in terms of the cargo area. However, it falls slightly behind in terms of payload capacity. Having said that, the Ridgeline comes with a dent-resistant bed which means that the chances of it getting a dent are much lower. In addition to that, the Ridgeline also offers a lower load height when compared to the rivals that make it easier to load heavy stuff into the bed.

What to expect inside the Honda Ridgeline?

• 3- zone climate control
• Front Seatback Storage
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Interior Air Filtration    

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How spacious is the Ford Ranger?

On the outside, Honda has played it safe with the overall design of the Ridgeline. There is not a difference in the front when compared to a Pilot. That doesn’t mean it is not fit for an urban environment. The sleek LED headlamps and subtle foglights add to both the form and function of the truck. The exterior design is comparatively bland. Even with the Adventure Package, the Ridgeline doesn’t look like a tough off-roader.

From the front, the Ridgeline gives the look of a crossover- the Honda Pilot in particular. The rounded design and sloping hood make it look like a family hauler. All trims ride on 18-inch wheels that differ only in alloy and finish when it comes to options. The color options are severely limited, which is a disappointment since the Ridgeline can look really beautiful in shades of cyan and red. Features like roof rails, hard truck bed cover, black fender flares, and splash guards are all parts of additional packages.

Compared to other mid-sized crew cab pickups in the segment, the Honda Ridgeline is quite compact in its dimensions. It keeps up with the city-friendly design of the truck. It is still wide enough to completely cover a whole lane but the Ridgeline sits really close to the ground. Combine that with a short wheelbase and you have the right truck that you would easily park in any lot closest to your local Walmart. The Ridgeline also has a lower ground clearance than the competitors which leads to limited off-roading capabilities.

The Honda Ridgeline has quite a few party tricks up its sleeve when it comes to the bed. First up, it has the underfloor storage bin. Yes, a lot of trucks offer the same however, Honda was the first to do so with the 1st generation of the Ridgeline (the underfloor storage area also houses the spare wheel). In addition to that, the underfloor storage area can be used as a drink cooler!!! And once all your ice melts into water, the bin also has a drain plug. However, the quirks and features of the bed don't end. The Ridgeline also has a twin opening tailgate- it can open like a conventional tailgate and it can also open sideways making it easier to access the contents in the bed.

The truck bed of the Ridgeline also has an inbuilt speaker and a power outlet that can be even be used for power tools. The power outlet is offered in the RTL-E and Black Edition trim and the buyers have a choice between a 150-Watt system and a 400-Watt system. The 150 Watt system can be used while the vehicle is in "accessory" mode whereas you need to switch on the truck in order to use the power-intensive 400 Watt outlet.

The towing performance of Chevy Colorado is the best largely due to its weight. It is also a rather long and wide mid-sized pickup, which makes it the biggest in this section. The Ford Ranger is quite heavy, yet it keeps its weight closer to the chassis, making it much better for off-roading or hauling cargo. The GMC Canyon lives up to its namesake with its weight, too.

The Honda Ridgeline has a few exterior features that aid with its overall form and functionality. These include:

• Dual-Action Tailgate
• In-Bed Cargo Dividers
• Illuminated Door Sill Trim
• Black Running Boards
• Available power outlet in the bed
• Available Bed Extender And Cargo Nets

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How sensible is the Honda Ridgeline's unibody construction?

How safe is the Honda Ridgeline?

Honda is keen on making the Ridgeline as safe as possible. The decision to use a unibody construction not only gives this truck its handling characteristics but also adds additional strength to the pickup. The Honda Ridgeline has been tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS, receiving excellent ratings from both organizations. It has even earned the Top Safety Pick award for the latter, with high praise to the truck’s crashworthiness and an excellent collision avoidance system.

In terms of safety features, Honda Safety Sense is now standard for the Ridgeline pickup. Front collision mitigation and automated emergency come by default with the base trim levels. Upper trims grant you more advanced features like Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring, making the Ridgeline safer in heavy traffic. The standard safety features on offer in the Honda Ridgeline earn it a ‘Superior’ rating. Utilizing the systems, the truck was able to avoid a collision at speeds up to 25 mph.

What safety features does the Honda Ridgeline offer?

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC) with Roll Stability Control
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• HondaLink Emergency SOS
• Lane Departure Warning And Lane Keep Assist
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual-stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Honda Sense Front Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Sensors
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Back-Up Camera with Cross-Traffic Assist

Honda Ridgeline vs. Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet’s famed mid-sized pickup is known for the capabilities its powerful V6 engine grants it. It is a humungous beast but its drivetrain does a good job of getting it around and over any obstacles that get in its way. The Z71 package adds in a nice assortment of features that make Colorado a truck much better suited for off-road scenarios. However, it is not nearly as comfortable or as high-tech as the Ridgeline. If you are not much of adventurer, the Honda Ridgeline is the perfect fit for all your urban needs.

Honda Ridgeline vs. Ford Ranger

A smaller sibling of the best-selling truck in the United States, the Ford Ranger offers a lot in a compact package. It has more power and better gas mileage than the Ridgeline, with a much more confident tone of “Let’s go off the beaten track!” Moreover, for the price of a Ridgeline RTL, you can get the LARIAT trim that has more premium features as standard. If it wasn’t for Honda’s quality and advanced technology, the Ford Ranger would have been a clear winner. Not to mention the slick transmission that is much more engaging than the annoying selector switch of the Ridgeline.

Honda Ridgeline vs. GMC Canyon

The Canyon is a work truck, plain and simple. It still doesn’t offer push-button start even if you have an upper-level trim like the SLT. In stark contrast to the roomy and well-built interior of the Ridgeline, the Canyon is rudimentary and a bit cramped. Sure, there is a great finish of the leather upholstery and the controls are much more convenient for all of us who are not used to scroll through a ton of screens just to change the A/C temperature. Still, it is not a truck that you would be comfortable in for an extended period of time. This is where the Honda Ridgeline shines brighter.

The Honda Ridgeline was never a good off-roader. With the latest redesign, Honda seems to keep it that way. That being said, it is a comfortable high-tech vehicle with plenty of room for five passengers. If you don’t mind sticking to the tarmac, it is a great choice for an urban pickup. Now that a hybrid version is also in the works, perhaps the performance and towing capacity will be upgraded as well.