Used 2012 Honda Ridgeline for sale 

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline comes in a total of 4 trims with various features to attract customers of all needs. The trims go by the names- RT, Sport, RTS and RTL. All the variants share the same 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The price range now starts at $29,350 for the RT variant and extends up to $34,930 for the top of the line RTL variant.

Which Trim should you buy?

The RTS trim should be the most value for money configuration of the 2012 Honda Ridgeline. Apart from the standard features in the RT trim, the RTS trim adds certain modern-day essential features such as climate control, power-adjustable driver’s seat among others. The price difference is justifiable as well.

The 2012 Ridgeline comes with the same 3.5-liter which was launched years ago. It produces 250 hp @ 5700 rpm and torque figures of about 247 lb-ft which kicks in at 4300 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. 

All the trims of the2012 Honda Ridgeline get an all-wheel drive configuration as standard that comes with Honda's variable torque vector management four-wheel drive (VTM-4) system which gives the best amount of grip possible for off-roading.

The 2012 Ridgeline comes with a big 3.5-liter V6 engine and packs in enough power to compete with various rivals of the segment. All the contenders of the segment get a V6 engine except for the Chevrolet Colorado that gets a 4-pot mil, thus generating the least in class power figures. 

How fast is the Honda Ridgeline? 

The Honda Ridgeline is a heavy pickup truck that gets a V6 engine packing in enough grunt to propel the pickup. However, the Honda Ridgeline’s acceleration figures cannot be really referred to as impressive. 

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.3 seconds, which is a rather lazy figure for a 6-cylinder truck. The 2012 Honda Ridgeline clocks in the quarter of a mile lap in 16.5 seconds at a speed of 85.3 mph. 

Though the Ridgeline gets a V6 engine, despite that it’s one of the slowest pickup trucks in the segment. The Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma, both of which get bigger displacement engines, post better acceleration figures. The Chevrolet Colorado comes out as the slowest pickup truck here, owing to the smaller engine. 

How well does the Honda Ridgeline handle?

The Honda Ridgeline handles surprisingly well for a pickup truck. It handles more like a cross over than a pickup truck. The steering is accurate and it handles pretty well around the corner with minimal body roll. 

The AWD system of the Honda Ridgeline gives maximum grip using the torque vectoring system. The independent suspension does the job well in giving a comfortable ride experience, but it is a bit stiff and the hardness can be felt in the bumps. The handling of the Honda Ridgeline is adequate but the truck is not good for off-road as the ground clearance is low at 8.2 inches and least amongst its competitors.

How good is the Honda Ridgeline’s braking performance?

The Ridgeline is quite a heavy pickup truck yet it performs well in the braking department. The 2012 Honda Ridgeline gets 13.1-inch brake rotors at the front and 12.6-inchers towards the rear. Together, this setup helps the Honda decelerate from 60-0 mph in a distance of 122 feet which is a respectable figure. 

The 201w Honda Ridgeline gets a 4-wheel disc brake set up along with many features such as ABS and EBD that enhance the pickup’s overall braking capabilities. There is a presence of slight nosedive under panic braking conditions, but apart from that the Ridgeline does fine in regular braking scenarios. 

The Honda Ridgeline gets the biggest brake rotors in the segment. Together this setup lends the pickup supreme halting capabilities, and despite of its comparatively heavier weight, the Ridgeline pulls of competitive halting performance. 

The V6 engine in the Ridgeline is rather a thirsty one and the 4 wheel drive setup does not help in getting good mileage. The 2012 Honda Ridgeline can spin for 15 miles in the city and can navigate through 21 miles on the highway for every gallon of gasoline. Summing up these figures, we get a combined mpg of 17. 

The Honda Ridgeline’s combined mpg of 17 is the least in the segment. However, the 2012 Honda Ridgeline gets the best in class fuel tank capacity, that helps in enhancing its overall range.

The smaller 4 cylinders engine in the Colorado lends this American pickup the best in class fuel-efficiency figures. The Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier, get similar engines, thus post similar mpg figures as well.

Just like the Ridgeline’s car-like handling, its interior is also inspired by Honda’s other cars. The interior is spacious and can seat 5 people easily. The plastic quality of the interior trim is good and feels soft to touch.

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline comes with a standard cloth upholstery for the seats and the higher trims can be optioned with leather upholstery. There are plenty of small storage spaces available throughout the cabin. Climate control air conditioning is also a prominent comfort feature of the Ridgeline.

The 2012 Honda Ridgeline’s car-like structure makes it more user-friendly and approach-worthy than most of the other pickup trucks in the market. The design and layout of the 2012 Honda Ridgeline’s dash is really commendable and quite pleasing, as compared to other rivals. 

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The Honda Ridgeline comes with all creature comforts to make you feel you are inside a car rather than a pickup truck. In upper trims, the infotainment system consists of a color 5-inch touch screen with Honda satellite navigation and a rearview camera. 

The standard audio system consists of a 100-watt system with 6 speakers. 160-watt audio system with 7 speakers can also be optioned in the higher trims. Aux input helps in connecting your phone and play your favorite music instantly. Dual-zone climate control is also available. Steering wheel mounted controls are available in all the trims and Bluetooth connectivity is only available in the top variant.

The 2012 Ridgeline may look like other Honda cars and that is because it is based on the Honda Pilot.

The pickup truck follows a boxy design language and looks imposing with its flared wheel arches. Some of the most noteworthy exterior features of the 2012 Honda Ridgeline are:

1. Dual-action dual gate.
2. 17 inch and 18-inch wheels available.
3. Fog lights.
4. Daytime running lights.
5. In-Bed trunk.
6. Heavy duty two hooks at the front and rear.

The Ridgeline is the widest pickup truck in the segment. Its length and wheelbase is small and is only next to that of the Nissan Frontier. However the primary shortcoming of the Honda Ridgeline is its limited ground clearance. The 2012 Honda Ridgeline gets a ground clearance of 8.2-inches, which is the least in the segment, thus limiting the pickup’s off-roading capabilities.

The Honda Ridgeline is built using high strength closed-box frame structure which offers maximum protection for its occupants. The Ridgeline always scored top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS ratings. It also comes with a number of electronic safety aids such as:

1. Vehicle stability assist (VSA).
2. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
3. Lower anchors and tethers (LATCH).
4. Daytime Running lights (DRL)
5. Dual-stage airbags.
6. Occupant position detection system for airbags (OPDS).
7. Rollover sensors.

Honda Ridgeline vs Chevrolet Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado is much more suitable for off-roading and gets multiple engine options. However, it is not as comfortable as the Honda Ridgeline. 

The Ridgeline is also more modern than Colorado, and also gets a bigger engine. The Chevrolet Colorado is much more compact in dimensions than the Ridgeline. 

Honda Ridgeline vs Toyota Tacoma

The Honda Ridgeline is much better than the Tacoma in terms of comfort and technology it offers, but when it comes to off-roading and towing, the Tacoma is in its own league.

The Toyota Tacoma gets a bigger engine than the Honda Ridgeline and the performance on offer in the Tacoma is much better than the Ridgeline. So in case you are looking for performance, Tacoma is the choice, but if you want a pickup that does not compromise on the comfort factor, Ridgeline is the choice. 

Honda Ridgeline vs the Nissan Frontier

Nissan Frontier is another attempt by a Japanese auto-marque to compete in the competitive pickup truck segment. 

The Ridgeline again leads in the comfort driving quality but the Frontier is much better in its towing abilities. Owing to the comparatively lighter weight, and bigger engine, the Frontier also leads the Ridgeline in terms of acceleration as well as fuel efficiency.

Honda took a different approach in an ambitious attempt to enter the pickup truck segment. Even though there is plenty of competition in this segment already such as the Chevrolet Colorado, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Nissan Frontier, the Ridgeline managed to stand out due to its unique characteristics.

The Ridgeline is the most comfortable pickup truck out there, but it is not the most competitive off-roader. The Ridgeline is for those looking for essentially a more refined pickup truck experience, that along with being as utilitarian as a pickup, is also as comfortable as a flagship crossover.