Verdict
Honda will get dunked on for the Ridgeline’s styling often, nevertheless it’s not onerous to see why. The primary-generation truck had weird flying buttresses that supplied rigidity and a few added cargo quantity, however created an ungainly, blocky profile. Then, when the second gen rolled up for 2017, designers went too far within the different route, giving the comfy and environment friendly pickup a drooping nostril that regarded extra at dwelling on the Odyssey and Pilot.
Chasing that stability between styling and substance, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline went in for some beauty surgical procedure, rising from the outpatient clinic with just-right pickup proportions. New bodywork from the A-pillar ahead and a few minor alterations to the rear bumper give the Ridgeline an entire new angle, trying harder than its fast predecessor whereas nonetheless sustaining its clean journey, spacious inside, and intelligent storage options. As we’ve stated previously, the Ridgeline is the logical selection for many truck patrons, and eventually, they gained’t need to apologize for its look to any truck bros speaking smack.
A automobile’s verdict is relative solely to its personal phase and never the new-vehicle market as an entire. For extra on how Motor1.com charges automobiles, click on right here.
Vainness Muscle tissues
Truck advertising is dominated by, properly, domination, so we now have to applaud Honda for taking a measured method to the Ridgeline’s redesigned entrance clip. The next hood, extra vertical grille, bigger headlamps, and sq. entrance bumper enchantment to the normal truck shopper a bit greater than the outdated pickup’s Pilot-inspired schnoz. Round again, a brand new rear bumper with twin built-in exhaust ideas provides just a bit flashy muscle. Revised wheel offsets widen the observe ever so barely, and Honda collaborated with Firestone to offer the otherwise-carryover Vacation spot LE all-season tires a squarer shoulder design.
The redesign is commendable, since any extra visible aggression would appear like a stuffed shirt on this unibody pickup. However all such restraint goes proper out the window when the Ridgeline is provided with the $2,800 HPD Bundle, which incorporates a few of the most outsized and misshapen physique cladding because the Pontiac Aztek. Made to offer the spherical wheel arches a squarer and extra aggressive look, the fender flares really do the alternative, dwarfing the in any other case adequately sized tires for that odd roller-skate look. They’re additionally poorly matched for the physique, with the entrance door shutlines abruptly reducing by means of the flares.
The package deal additionally consists of some admittedly enticing bronze-finished wheels and a sport grille, in addition to some HPD badging on the tailgate and a decal on the mattress sides. Nonetheless, with no actual practical upgrades, all of it smacks of overcompensation, like an accountant dressing completely in motorbike leathers following a midlife disaster. Some taller tires or a roof rack would do wonders to make the HPD Bundle’s price appear worthwhile.
Do your self a favor and take a look at the non-HPD–geared up truck in our gallery; sans flares, the Ridgeline seems to be a lot better, its tires visually filling the profile view way more successfully. So geared up, the refreshed styling is clear and good-looking, well-suited to the Ridgeline’s mission as an approachable, family-friendly pickup.
Laborious-Working {Hardware}
For 2021, the modifications are principally skin-deep, however that’s simply high quality by us. The Ridgeline’s calling card has all the time been glorious on-road dealing with and a snug journey, a perform of the unibody Honda Gentle Truck platform. A 3.5-liter V6 making 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet sends energy by means of a nine-speed computerized transmission, and it’s simply sufficient grunt to assist the 4,436-pound pickup sustain with site visitors. That stated, adrenaline junkies shall be a lot happier with the 2022 Nissan Frontier’s V6 with 310 hp and 281 lb-ft or the Ford Ranger’s turbo 4 with 275 hp and 310 lb-ft.
The Ridgeline’s relative lack of torque isn’t the one downside right here. The nine-speed computerized additionally takes some blame, providing sluggish downshifts when the driving force summons full passing energy. Thumbing off Eco mode helps enliven the powertrain considerably, however climbing lengthy freeway grades with a full host of passengers and cargo is an train in endurance. As earlier than, the Ridgeline can tow 5,000 kilos and haul 1,583 kilos due to a regular transmission oil cooler and strategic chassis reinforcements, however we expect efficiency could be considerably sluggish at these rated maximums.
For 2021, all-wheel drive is commonplace. The Ridgeline makes use of a classy clutch pack within the rear differential to vector torque aspect to aspect, and the system works very properly within the filth, which Honda confirmed off on a visit to its proving grounds within the Mojave Desert. Regular, Snow, Mud, and Sand terrain modes enable growing ranges of slip to assist the Ridgeline protect ahead momentum off-road, the place wheelspin could be a good factor. The Sand setting even permits a little bit drift angle earlier than stepping in, the tires slinging filth in 4 thick roostertails. It’s good enjoyable, and it doesn’t sacrifice any on-road stability to get there.
Hardcore off-roaders will doubtless be dissatisfied by the Ridgeline’s 7.6-inch floor clearance, in addition to method, departure, and breakover angles of 20.4, 19.6, and 19.6 levels, respectively. Nearly each midsize pickup does higher – the equally priced Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Street trounces the Ridgeline Sport with 9.4 inches of floor clearance and off-road geometry measuring 29.0, 23.5, and 21.0 levels. Honda is aware of this, concentrating on an energetic outside fanatic – not an off-roader – for the Ridgeline, somebody who takes tough fireplace roads to get to the trailhead earlier than a weekend of primitive tenting or driving filth bikes.
Versatile Flyer
Serving to in that mission is a snug inside, huge cargo mattress, and intelligent storage options that take advantage of the Ridgeline’s space-saving unibody chassis. An underfloor, in-bed trunk gives 7.3 cubic ft of lockable, weather-proof storage along with the truck mattress’s 33.9 cubes. The cargo field’s width between the wheel housings is 50 inches and the mattress ground measures 64 inches lengthy, increasing to 83 inches with the tailgate down. For comparability, the Tacoma’s mattress is 60.5 inches lengthy by 40.5 inches huge. And the Ridgeline’s rear gate swings down or to the aspect, which is helpful when loading pallets of sod or soil with a forklift.
The cabin, ripped seemingly intact from the Pilot, is likely one of the finest midsize pickup interiors in the marketplace immediately. A dated infotainment systeml is the one criticism we will levy towards the Ridgeline, however even then, Honda will get credit score for giving each one among its pickups an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a decently clear audio system. Honda Sensing driver-assist and security know-how additionally comes commonplace, bringing ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep help, and adaptive cruise management.
The cabin, ripped seemingly intact from the Pilot, is likely one of the finest midsize pickup interiors in the marketplace immediately.
The midsize pickup’s entrance seats are among the many most supportive chairs in the whole auto trade, and its spacious rear bench is mounted greater for a panoramic view of the street forward. The entrance row will get 40.1 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom, whereas the again will get 38.8 and 36.7 inches, respectively. The Tacoma gives extra entrance legroom, at 42.9 inches, however in each different metric, it trails the Ridgeline: 39.7 inches of entrance headroom, 38.3 inches of rear headroom, and a leg-pinching 32.6 inches of rear legroom. The cabin of the Ridgeline can also be about 3 inches wider than the Taco, yielding loads of area for 5 passengers.
A large, deep heart console storage cubby incorporates a rolling, inflexible cowl that turns into a handy spot for a small bag, face masks, pens, or keys. The entrance door armrests characteristic built-in bottle holders and a storage slot, in addition to a wider map pocket decrease on the door panel. A folding rear heart armrest with cupholders is completely positioned for outboard passengers’ elbows, with door pockets in again too. Entrance passengers should take care of HVAC tubing within the footwell, however in any other case, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline has loads of area for everybody.
{Dollars} To Donuts
For 2021, the Honda Ridgeline begins at $36,490, which is up from $33,900 for the 2020 truck – the brand new one has commonplace all-wheel drive, keep in mind. In comparison with the same spec, the 2021 Ridgeline prices $350 extra to start out, a small worth to pay for its extra historically good-looking styling. Our base-model Sport wore a $395 coat of Platinum White paint and included the aforementioned $2,800 HPD Bundle. A $1,175 vacation spot cost introduced the full worth to $40,860. The Sport consists of comfy material seating, computerized local weather management, LED headlights, and energetic noise cancellation, in addition to lineup-standard Honda Sensing and all-wheel drive.
That worth could be on the excessive finish for a midsize pickup, however the Ridgeline scores factors by being extra environment friendly in EPA testing than most of its four-wheel-drive opponents, attaining 18 metropolis, 24 freeway, and 21 mixed mpg. At 22 mixed, solely the Ford Ranger’s turbocharged four-banger is thriftier. Amongst V6 4x4s, the Chevrolet Colorado and outgoing Nissan Frontier earn 19 mpg and the Tacoma will get 20 mpg.
What’s extra, not one of the different midsize vehicles in the marketplace can match the Honda pickup’s penchant for passenger consolation and cargo flexibility. That’s why we often advocate the Ridgeline to our family and friends who need some rough-road chops and the flexibility to haul muddy, soiled gear within the mattress, however who don’t essentially have to haul enormous trailers or sort out Moab or the Rubicon Path. With some nice beauty enhancements for 2021 – at the least when avoiding the choices sheet – we see no motive why that suggestion ought to change.