I not too long ago drove the Honda Passport Trailsport—a rugged model of Honda’s mid-size crossover. Sadly, the tech was outdated, the effectivity was missing, and the Trailsport badge did not do a lot to make the SUV extra fascinating.
The excellent news is that there is a new Passport on the way in which, and Honda says will probably be vastly improved. The dangerous information is that Honda hasn’t confirmed the identical therapy for its Passport-based Ridgeline pickup—however we will solely hope an replace is within the works.
The Ridgeline remains to be a stable truck with a cushty trip and first rate functionality, however very similar to the Passport, it is properly overdue for an replace. It has all the identical points as its SUV sibling and fewer efficiency than most of its rivals. To not point out it begins at $41,545 for 2025.
| Fast Specs | 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport |
| Engine | 3.5-Liter V-6 |
| Output | 280 Horsepower / 260 Pound-Toes |
| Gasoline Financial system | 18 Metropolis / 23 Freeway / 20 Mixed |
| Towing | 5,000 Kilos |
| Base Worth / As Examined | $41,545 / $47,320 |
Beneath the hood is Honda’s tried-and-true 3.5-liter V-6 engine making 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Identical because the Passport. It is paired to a nine-speed automated transmission and commonplace all-wheel drive.
It is a first rate powertrain with simply sufficient oomph to maneuver the truck out of its personal approach. You’ll have to bury your foot to get it as much as freeway speeds—however no less than it sounds good on the dash as much as 70. The naturally aspirated V-6 provides the exhaust a deep, burbly rumble. And the nine-speed automated shifts easily.
However in order for you extra oomph off the road, a lot of the Ridgeline’s rivals are higher right here. The Chevrolet Colorado has a punchy turbocharged engine making 310 hp. The Ford Ranger doles out simply 270 hp, however its turbocharged engine has extra torque (310 lb-ft). And even Nissan’s naturally aspirated V-6 within the Frontier delivers greater than the Ridgeline, with 310 hp and 281 lb-ft.
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Professionals: Good To Drive, Comfy Cabin, Sounds Good
A minimum of the Ridgeline is sweet to drive. Even with the rugged upgrades on this Trailsport mannequin, it feels very very similar to a unibody SUV—like a Passport. The suspension is smooth and compliant, the steering is mild and fast, and there is not practically as a lot physique roll as these body-on-frame alternate options, which makes the Ridgeline fairly nice to pedal round city.
The off-road-tuned suspension and Common Grabber A/T all-terrain tires make this truck a titch extra succesful on the path than its extra road-oriented siblings. The Trailsport even has a skid plate defending the oil pan. However with a 7.6-inch trip top that matches the usual Ridgeline, and tires with the identical general diameter as the bottom truck, the upgrades are fairly pedestrian. This truck will not be tackling Rubicon anytime quickly, that is for positive.
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Jeff Perez / Motor1
The knobby tires no less than make the Ridgeline look extra rugged, which this in any other case bland truck desperately wants. And there are black-and-orange Trailsport badges aplenty, in and out. Even the seats have orange Trailsport stitching, simply in case you neglect.
The inside is a pleasant place to be. The leather-trimmed seats are tremendous cozy and have commonplace heating and 10-way energy adjustability with lumbar assist. There’s a normal moonroof, too. A 9.0-inch touchscreen now comes commonplace within the Ridgeline, full with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda additionally swapped the beforehand puny 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster for a a lot nicer 7.0-inch digital show forward of the steering wheel. You additionally get wi-fi cellphone charging within the heart console, and each USB-A and USB-C connectivity.
Jeff Perez / Motor1
Cons: Dated Tech, Excessive Worth, Bland Seems, Not As Punchy As Its Opponents
The Ridgeline additionally has numerous room within the cabin, thanks once more to that unibody development. There are 40.1 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom up entrance, in addition to 38.8 and 36.7 inches within the rear. Each of these figures are above common for the category. Honda additionally outfitted its pickup with intelligent storage options, like 7.3 cubic toes of lockable, weatherproof area beneath the mattress ground alongside 33.9 cubic toes of cargo area within the mattress itself.
All informed, this Ridgeline got here out to $47,320 as examined with the non-obligatory $455 Sonic Grey Pearl paint. If you wish to forgo the Trailsport bundle (which most patrons most likely can), a base Ridgeline Sport prices $41,545 for 2025—not precisely a thrifty truck contemplating that each competitor is available in at beneath $40,000 (and a few beneath $30,000).
Despite the fact that it falls quick in a number of key areas, the Honda Ridgeline remains to be a fairly stable truck. It’s going to solely get higher when Honda gears up the following technology.
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Jeff Perez / Motor1
