2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is proof that a strong core concept bolstered by some attractive styling is exactly what people want. The midsize pickup truck has always had some diehard fans that could look past its SUV-based unibody construction and plain styling to see the great truck underneath. But last year's updates have seen sales soar, making it a true contender to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. With its 280-horsepower V6 engine and smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic, the Ridgeline rides well and still manages to do a fair amount of hard work. The standard intelligent all-wheel-drive system is great for handling difficult road conditions, and it can even handle some off-roading, although it hardly excels at it. The automaker seems pretty happy with the state of things, as there are no real updates for the new model year. But, will the competition allow the Honda pickup to rest on its laurels?

Thanks to its recent overhaul, the Ridgeline is now the truck everyone is clamoring to get their hands on - if sales figures are anything to go by. A lot of this is courtesy of the exterior changes made for the previous model year. Now, the Honda Ridgeline pickup is an aggressive-looking midsize truck with a bulging hood, a chunkier front fascia, and more stylish LED projector headlights. The grille takes up most of the front and is finished in gloss black for a bolder aesthetic on the Sport and Black Edition. The RTL and RTL-E look a bit more road-friendly with chrome, instead. Standard across the range are dual exhaust outlets, 18-inch alloy wheels, and LED fog lights. A moonroof is fitted from the RTL trim.

The entire aesthetic can be transformed with either of the HPD Packages, which trims most of the exterior with a black or bronze finish and a bespoke grille. It really does look like it could take on the Jeep Gladiator and GMC Canyon and win.

The Honda Ridgeline differs from most of its rivals in that it is presented in just a single body and bed size configuration. This means that its length of 210.2 inches never changes. It stands 70.8 inches tall and has a width of 78.6 inches. Ground clearance is not overly impressive for a pickup at 7.64 inches, and the approach/breakover/departure angles are just as average at 20.4/19.6/19.6 degrees.

The cargo bed is 64 inches long with the tailgate up. When this is dropped, an extra 19 inches are added. The wheelbase measures 125.2 inches, and the truck weighs in at 4,436 pounds n base guise, maxing out at 4,510 lbs on the upper trims.

You don't get a whole lot of choice when it comes to dressing up your base Ridgeline Sport. The no-cost colors include Crystal Black Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic. Meanwhile, Platinum White Pearl, Radiant Red Metallic II, and the newly added Sonic Gray Pearl are available at an additional cost of $395. The RTL and RTL-E expand on the basic palette with Modern Steel Metallic and Obsidian Blue Pearl at no cost, while Pacific Pewter Metallic joins the premium paints for $395. The Black Edition has the most limited selection of just Crystal Black Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, and Sonic Gray Pearl - the latter two at the same $395 surcharge.

The Honda Ridgeline has always made use of a 280-horsepower V6. It's more than capable of moving the heavy pickup with gusto, with 0-60 mph sprint times coming in at just over the seven-second mark. Yes, you can find more heavily powered and quicker trucks out there, but the smooth-shifting nine-speed and comfortable ride quality are what really set the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline apart from the competition.

Crisp and quick throttle responses make it a pleasure to drive, and it doesn't lose too much steam when towing its maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds. However, it lacks the bite of the Ranger or Gladiator, and both can tow substantially more than that. The Ridgeline also can't follow them very far off-road.

Still thrumming under the hood of Honda Ridgeline is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out a healthy 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. As there's no turbocharger, there's no turbo lag and the engine and transmission setup do well with more than enough kick to hustle around town. This is largely due to the smart-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, which always seems to know exactly which gear is right for the situation. However, you can take a more hands-on approach with the paddle shifters if you prefer.

The powertrain can handle a few off-road trails at low speed, and you may even like to take charge with the paddle shifters along some back roads. However, everywhere else, the auto is the way to go and it offers a straightforward experience overall. All-wheel drive is standard, so the Honda doesn't hesitate when the going gets tough.

Though it may have had a stylish makeover to make it look more like an aggressive pickup, the Honda Ridgeline still handles and feels like a crossover, albeit a heavy one. Ride comfort is the real high point here, but the pickup's steering is light and responsive. The well-balanced chassis takes these inputs with ease and never loses its composure. Despite this refinement, the Ridgeline feels just at home off the road, ensuring comfort over bumpy terrain. The independent suspension does a particularly good job of keeping those in the back comfortable.

All that said, it's around town that the Honda really shines. It doesn't feel nearly as big as it is, dispatches spirited cornering just as easily as it does high-speed highway passing. On more sedate roads, it keeps its manners and the steering lightens up to make maneuvering easier. Multiple ride modes mean that the truck can handle difficult roads caked in sand or dirt, too.

Relying on a naturally aspirated gas engine, the Honda Ridgeline is not the most economical pickup. However, the engine is relatively low displacement for the segment, so the figures aren't abysmal. Now in standard AWD guise (as recently as the 2020 model year, the Ridgeline was available with FWD), the truck manages an EPA-rated 18/24/21 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, which is slightly better than the weightier competition, like the Chevrolet Colorado in V6 guise. Still, Ford's Ranger takes the cake when it comes to gas mileage, easily trumping what the Honda has to offer by a point or two on the city and combined cycles.

The Ridgeline is equipped with a 19.5-gallon fuel tank, meaning that it can travel for up to 410 miles before needing to pull into a gas station.

While nothing glamorous, which isn't befitting of a rugged pickup anyway, the interior of the Honda Ridgeline does nothing wrong. It is extremely well put together, which is why used Hondas continue to sell nearly a decade down the line. New models have more exciting features though, and the Ridgeline has more than enough to impress, all positioned for optimal enjoyment and ergonomic ease of use. Getting in and out is easy, whether you be tall or on the shorter side, and there are plenty of conveniences to ensure you can really enjoy that cushy ride quality. This includes tri-zone climate control and a seven-speaker sound system. Leather seating is available over the standard cloth higher up in the range, but the materials used are of high quality. Overall visibility is good, but the rearview camera does come in handy when reversing.

With only the one cab option, the Ridgeline can comfortably seat five occupants. Even those in the back get a great deal of head- and legroom: 38.8 and 36.7 inches, respectively. Front passengers can stretch out with 40.9 inches of legroom and 40.1 inches of headroom. The seats are comfortable, though they lean more on the side of rugged durability than luxury. Nevertheless, features such as heated, power-adjustable front seats are available from the RTL trim upwards.

The base-trim Ridgeline Sport is very basically outfitted inside with plain black cloth upholstery, but you do get more options when you move up the trim levels. The RTL and RTL-E have leather seats in a choice of Black or Gray. However, your selection will depend upon which exterior paint color you opted for as not all exterior paints make both interior color schemes available. When the lighter Gray scheme is chosen, this also extends to the lower dashboard and interior door panels, which can make the interior feel a lot bigger and airier. Going for the top-end Black Edition trim does rob you of any choice regarding the interior, but in return, you get a very stylish Black/Red leather setup. The top three trims all have a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

While the Ridgeline may impress in many areas, the cargo bed is not one of them. Most trucks allow you the choice between a standard or extended bed, as well as several other customization options. Here, you are stuck with what comes as standard, which is a short bed capable of stowing up to 33.9 cubic feet of cargo. Almost every pickup competitor has more to offer, but Honda tries to make up for this with some extra, lockable in-bed storage trunk - 7.3 cubic feet to be exact. The dual-action tailgate makes loading and unloading cargo a breeze, at least, and you get eight tie-down cleats and truck bed lights to make your life easier.

Inside the cab, the rear seats can be folded up in a 60/40 split for some extra emergency cargo space. There are cupholders both upfront and in the rear, as well as seatback pockets, a multi-function center console, and a standard glove compartment.

Even in base guise, the Ridgeline is a well-equipped vehicle, with plenty of comforts and conveniences to enjoy both on and off the road. The Sport trim may have basic cloth seats, but it also gets push-button start, tri-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, a 12-volt power outlet, and a smart entry/walk-away auto-locking system. The driver-assistance suite is extensive, too, with lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and a multi-angle rearview camera.

The RTL steps things up with a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two memory settings, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power moonroof, and a blind-spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alert. Just below the top level, the RTL-E gets front and rear parking sensors, truck bed power outlets, and a heated steering wheel, along with a wireless phone charger and automatic high beams. The top-end Black Edition gets everything above along with some unique styling elements.

While not disappointing in itself, the infotainment suite is not as impressive as the rest of the pickup. Nevertheless, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Bluetooth, all operated via a high-resolution eight-inch touchscreen and channeled through seven speakers. SiriusXM is added to the RTL, while the RTL-E also gets HD Radio, navigation, additional USB charging ports, and an eight-speaker premium sound system. There is also a truck bed audio system on the upper two trim levels.

Honda automobiles generally score very well when it comes to reliability, and the Honda Ridgeline is no different. J.D. Power awards the truck an overall consumer rating of 80 out of 100, with the resale value being a high point. Quality and reliability is rated at 78. There have been no recalls issued for the 2022 Honda Ridgeline, but there was a single issue last year. A fair number of cars were recalled for a problem with the seatbelt retractor.

The warranty plan on a newly bought Honda is pretty standard, with three years/36,000 miles of limited coverage and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is offered for the first three years/36,000 miles.

Most trucks score exceptionally well in standard crash tests, and the Ridgeline manages to nab a nearly full house of five-star ratings from the NHTSA. In fact, the only test holding it back is a four-star rollover rating. The IIHS review of the Honda Ridgeline is impressive too, though it returned a rating of only Acceptable for the small overlap front: passenger side test and a Marginal score for the headlights. All other scores were Good. Amidst firm competition and rising safety standards, the Honda hasn't managed to earn a Top Safety Pick award since the 2019 model year.

The Honda Safety Sensing suite is included on every new car from the automaker, and it manages to cover all the basics. This means that even the base trim gets forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and a multi-angle rearview mirror. This is on top of the usual ABS, traction and stability control, and airbags, of which the Ridgeline has six. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is added on the RTL, while the RTL-E and Black Edition also get front and rear parking sensors and automatic high beams.

Americans love pickup trucks, that's hardly news, and many automakers have made a play at trying to dominate this lucrative market. However, while Ford still stands at the top of the podium, Honda is biting at its heels with the Ridgeline. Since its 2021 updates, the Japanese pickup has seen an enormous increase in sales as buyers start to realize just how good the vehicle is. We have been touting its virtues for years, but now the numbers actually support our opinion. Few trucks manage to so perfectly balance the diametrically opposed worlds of adventure and urban professionalism.

The Ridgeline is a highly capable pickup, even though it may fall behind the likes of the Jeep Gladiator or Chevrolet Colorado in terms of sheer capability. It's also a good-looking vehicle, thanks to its recent exterior overhaul. To top things off, it handles like a much lighter and smaller car and manages to remain composed and comfortable both at speed and when venturing off-road. There really is very little it gets wrong, with the few offending factors being a one-size-only cargo bed and a less than stellar towing rating. Still, these shortcomings do not do much to mar the image of an exemplary lifestyle pickup truck. It's a top pick in our books.

The price of the 2022 Honda Ridgeline hasn't increased much over the last year, with the Sport starting things off at $37,640. Filling the gap between the entry- and top-level trims, the RTL asks for $40,620 and the RTL-E $43,570. The Black Edition will set you back by $45,070 before any additional packages are tacked on. These prices are MSRP and do not include the $1,225 destination charge.

The 2022 Ridgeline pickup truck line comprises four trim levels: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition. Each uses the same 3.5L V6 engine, which churns out 280 hp and 262 lb-ft. This is regulated by a nine-speed automatic transmission and sent to all four wheels.

The most basic trim is the Sport, which rides on 18-inch allows and comes equipped with LED headlights and a dual-action tailgate. The interior is upholstered with black cloth and standard features include tri-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and a multi-angle rearview camera. The eight-inch touchscreen comes paired to a seven-speaker sound system and is programmed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth functionality.

A modest upgrade, the RTL adds a power-sliding rear window and power moonroof, along with leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, and Sirius XM. Meanwhile, the RTL-E improves the infotainment with HD Radio and an eight-speaker sound system. It also adds front and rear parking sensors, a truck bed audio system, and wireless phone charging.

The Black Edition doesn't change the standard specs, but it does give the Ridgeline a slight aesthetic makeover. This includes black exterior accents, black alloy wheels, a black/red leather interior, and red interior ambient lighting.

While you can't slap on a different cab or lengthen the cargo bed, there are a number of packages available to the Ridgeline. These include the stylish HPD Black or Bronze packages, which replace the wheels, fender flares, and front grille with HPD variants, all for $2,800. The Utility Package ($1,495) adds crossbars, roof rails, and running boards. There is also a Function+ Package ($1,335) that adds in-bed trunk dividers and a cargo net, a trunk-bed cargo net, a first-aid kit, and a hard cargo area cover. There are also a bunch of accessory packages, such as the $4,296 Adventure Package, Outdoors Essentials Package I or II ($1,680 and $2,155), and the $980 Rugged Utility Package.

The base-level Ridgeline is an amazing vehicle, which comes with all the features you are likely to need on a daily basis. That said, the RTL, with its leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, and power moonroof is quite the tempting offer. Beyond that, it just seems overly excessive to us, though the added safety and infotainment features on the RTL-E will definitely appeal to those who can afford it. There really is no reason to buy the Black Edition unless you have money to burn and can't live without the extra black finish trimmings. In our review, the RTL is probably the best bet for a car you want to live with for years to come.

The Toyota has always bested the Ridgeline when it comes to off-roading and the 2022 updates to the Tacoma only cement its lead. Both the front and rear suspension have been lifted to add additional ground clearance, making it a true off-roading champion. On top of that, the Toyota pickup has almost 2,000 lbs more towing capacity than the Honda Ridgeline. This is with the optional V6 engine, though, since the starter four-cylinder is a huge disappointment. However, even with the extra power, the Tacoma is not as quick as the Ridgeline, and it can't dream to match the latter's ride comfort. If you intend to spend more time off the road than on it, then the Toyota Tacoma is the way to go, but if you just want an occasional adventure-ready pickup, the Honda Ridgeline is easier to live with.

Ford really seems to know what American buyers want in their trucks and the Ranger slots in nicely between the hardcore Tacoma off-roader and the more urbane Ridgeline. The turbocharged engine matches the V6 in the Honda, producing 270 horsepower while delivering better fuel economy figures. The Ranger is also well-mannered on the road while still never backing down from an off-road challenge. However, the Ridgeline has a more spacious and featureful cabin, with tech that Ford would charge you a lot more for. Still, the Ford Ranger is more versatile with better towing capacities and customization options. If you intend on capitalizing on these, it's the better pick, but if you just want a cool-looking pickup to draw eyes and envy around town, the Ridgeline is the smarter buy.