2024 Honda Ridgeline Review: Comfort Meets Capability in a Midsize Truck

In the realm of midsize trucks, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline stands out as an unconventional contender. While competitors prioritize ruggedness and towing prowess, the Ridgeline carves its own path, emphasizing comfort, fuel efficiency, and a surprisingly versatile in-bed trunk.

Striking a Balance Between On-Road Refinement and Off-Road Capability

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline boasts significant upgrades, particularly for off-road enthusiasts. The all-new TrailSport trim is the first Ridgeline specifically designed for tackling rough terrain. It features aggressive all-terrain tires, a suspension tuned for off-road driving, and protective steel underbody plates.

However, even the base Ridgeline trims prioritize on-road comfort with a smooth ride and a fuel-efficient engine. This doesn't negate its ability to handle occasional off-road excursions, but those seeking a dedicated rock crawler should look elsewhere.

A Unique In-Bed Trunk and Spacious Interior

One of the Ridgeline's most distinctive features is its innovative in-bed trunk. This watertight compartment resides beneath the truck bed, offering a secure and weatherproof storage solution for gear or groceries. The Ridgeline's spacious cabin provides ample legroom and headroom for passengers, making it a comfortable choice for long road trips.

Tech-Savvy Features and Driver-Assistance Technologies

The 2024 Ridgeline embraces modern technology with a suite of driver-assistance features encompassed by Honda Sensing. This comprehensive package includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, the Ridgeline offers a user-friendly infotainment system with a large touchscreen display and smartphone integration.

Trims and Pricing

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline comes in four distinct trims: Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition. All models come equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a standard all-wheel-drive system. Here's a quick breakdown of the starting MSRP for each trim:

Sport: $39,750
RTL: $43,210
TrailSport: $44,690
Black Edition: $46,420

Fuel Economy

The Honda Ridgeline delivers impressive fuel economy for a midsize truck, achieving an EPA-estimated rating of up to 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Safety

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritizes safety with its Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance features. It has received good ratings in crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Is the 2024 Honda Ridgeline Right for You?

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline caters to a specific niche of truck buyers who prioritize comfort, fuel efficiency, and a unique blend of on-road and off-road capability. If you value a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and innovative features like the in-bed trunk, the Ridgeline is definitely worth considering. However, if you require a truck for heavy-duty hauling or extreme off-roading, better options might be available.

Here's a table comparing the 2024 Honda Ridgeline with some of its key competitors in the midsize truck market:

Feature	Honda Ridgeline	Nissan Frontier	Toyota Tacoma	Chevrolet Colorado
Starting MSRP	$39,750	$37,840	$28,470	$26,795
Engine	3.5-liter V6	3.8-liter V6	2.7-liter I4 (standard) or 3.5-liter V6	2.0-liter I4 (standard) or 3.6-liter V6
Horsepower	280 hp	304 hp	159 hp (I4) or 272 hp (V6)	200 hp (I4) or 308 hp (V6)
Fuel Economy (city/highway)	21 mpg / 28 mpg	17 mpg / 22 mpg	20 mpg / 23 mpg (I4) or 19 mpg / 22 mpg (V6)	22 mpg / 28 mpg (I4) or

Towing Capacity and Payload Capacity

While the 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritizes comfort and everyday usability over heavy-duty hauling, it can still hold its own when it comes to towing and payload capacity. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, the Ridgeline can handle towing a small trailer, boat, or jet skis. It's important to note that some competitors in the midsize truck segment boast significantly higher towing capacities.

On the other hand, the Ridgeline shines with an impressive 1,583-pound payload capacity. This means it can haul a substantial amount of cargo in the truck bed, making it suitable for various tasks like transporting tools, materials, or outdoor gear.

Interior Dimensions

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritizes passenger comfort with a spacious and well-designed interior. Here's a quick breakdown of some key interior dimensions:

Passenger space: The Ridgeline offers ample legroom and headroom for both front and rear passengers. With 41.3 inches of front-seat legroom and 38.1 inches of rear-seat legroom, even tall passengers can relax comfortably on long journeys.
Cargo space: While the Ridgeline's truck bed might not be the biggest on the market, it still offers a decent amount of cargo space. The exact dimensions will depend on the configuration of the in-bed trunk, but you can expect around 41 cubic feet of space with the trunk closed and 6.2 cubic feet of space within the trunk itself.

Summary

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline might not be the most powerful contender in the midsize truck segment, but it offers a compelling blend of comfort, fuel efficiency, and respectable towing and payload capacities. If you prioritize a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and innovative features, the Ridgeline is definitely worth considering. However, if you require a truck for heavy-duty hauling or extreme off-roading, better options might be available.