Expert Reviews

2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport Review

8.0
10
AutoTrader SCORE
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car
  • STYLING
    8.0/10
  • Safety
    8.0/10
  • PRACTICALITY
    8.0/10
  • USER-FRIENDLINESS
    8.0/10
  • FEATURES
    8.0/10
  • POWER
    7.0/10
  • COMFORT
    8.0/10
  • DRIVING FEEL
    10.0/10
  • FUEL ECONOMY
    7.0/10
  • VALUE
    8.0/10

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline is the midsize pickup for those who play hard but don’t necessarily need their trucks to work hard.

It drives like a car, has room for five, and can be configured to haul cargo in a number of innovative ways. Available in three trims, including the new Trailsport tested here, the essentials are identical across the lineup. That means the same engine, transmission, and towing and hauling capacities, as well as the same crew cab body style with a five-foot bed at the back.

Styling: 8/10

The Ridgeline has come a long way since it was first introduced about 20 years ago, with a funky design and an odd bed. The current version looks more like a conventional pickup in spite of its unibody design that has the cab and bed constructed together.

This year, Honda has refreshed the lineup with updated styling, and added the rugged-ish Trailsport trim to the mix, which brings some off-road appeal thanks to its tweaked suspension setup and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Ridgeline is comfortable and refined, offering a car-like atmosphere and an eye-appealing design.

Safety: 8/10


Regardless of trim, every Ridgeline comes with the same extensive safety package, which includes both passive and active safety systems, as well as an array of advanced driver-assistance technologies. From multiple airbags to blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and much more, the Ridgeline is well equipped.

Features: 8/10


Honda has equipped all the trims – Sport, Trailsport, and Black Edition – with a long list of standard features including wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto connections, a nine-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless smartphone charging, tri-zone climate control, and more.

Only the Trailsport and Black Edition trims come with an acoustically-insulated windshield that reduces noise inside the cabin, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, driver’s seat and mirror position memory settings, heated rear seats, and subscription-based satellite radio.

The Trailsport trim stands out in that it’s the only trim with all-terrain tires from the factory, as well as an off-road-tuned suspension. The Black Edition is the only trim with a 400-watt power outlet in the bed and ventilated front seats.

User-Friendliness: 8/10

Many pickup trucks are a chore to drive on a daily basis. The Ridgeline, however, is a delight because it feels more like a car or a crossover from behind the wheel. Lower to the ground than many trucks, it’s also easy to get into and out of, and it’s easy to manoeuvre. While the rear seats are comfortable, they’re not great for longer trips because the backrests are too vertical for optimum ergonomics.

The electronics worked flawlessly during this test, all the instruments are organized logically, and all displays are easy to understand. One minor problem is that the audio system doesn’t allow you to store over-the-air and satellite radio stations to be saved as favourites, which means you have to manually change from one source to another before scrolling through ones that have been stored.

Practicality: 8/10


Weekend warriors – and anyone who doesn’t need to haul or tow massive huge loads – will find the Ridgeline perfectly adequate for most adventures. One of the key strengths of this truck is its cargo-carrying versatility: besides the five-foot bed, the Ridgeline has a compartment under the bed floor that can be locked for added security. In addition, the rear seat cushions fold up in a 60/40 split, which means you can transport items (like a flat-screen TV) in the cabin when the rear seats aren’t needed. All trims can tow 2,267 kg (5,000 lb) and haul roughly 680 kg (1,500 lb) – more than adequate for a midsize entry like this.

Comfort: 8/10


The interior of the Ridgeline is a peaceful and quiet place, with very little wind and road noise. Even this tester, with its aggressive all-terrain tires, was surprisingly quiet. It’s easy to carry on a conversation without having to raise your voice.

The front seats are supportive and comfortable, as well as heated. The rear seats, on the other hand, can be a challenge on longer trips simply because of how upright the backrests are. Legroom is also a challenge for rear-seat passengers, while headroom is decent. On the bright side, rear-seat passengers get their own climate controls, and the Trailsport and Black Edition trims come with heated rear seats.

Power: 7/10


Only one powertrain is available, which means all trims get the same 3.5L V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive system. The V6 pumps out 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, both of which are plenty for day-to-day driving, both on city streets and the highway. The engine is smooth and responsive, and the transmission is buttery smooth.

Driving Feel: 10/10


The Ridgeline gets top marks for driving feel simply because it handles like a crossover and not like a truck. The Ridgeline has a coil-sprung independent rear suspension, which results in what can best be described as a more car-like driving experience. All trims come with Honda’s intelligent traction management system with four settings (normal, snow, sand, and mud) for added peace of mind in tricky conditions.

Fuel Economy: 7/10

According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Ridgeline is rated at 12.8 L/100 km in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.5 combined. We managed to match that city number in combined conditions during this test.

Many of the Ridgeline’s competitors have similar fuel economy numbers. For example, the redesigned Ford Ranger is good for 11.0 or 11.5 combined, depending on which engine is under the hood, while the new Toyota Tacoma is rated for 11.2 with a comparable setup, according to NRCan. (There’s also a hybrid version that’s rated for 10.3 L/100 km combined.)

Value: 8/10

The 2024 Ridgeline starts at $51,990 (including a $2,000 freight charge), while the Trailsport trim is $55,990 before tax. Finally, the top-of-the-line Black Edition is priced at $58,990. That’s pricier than both the Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado that was also recently redesigned, and comparable to the Tacoma.

The Verdict


Easy to drive, comfortable, and versatile, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline is well-equipped, packed with safety features, and ready to play hard. While it can’t handle heavy-duty workloads, it can tow and haul enough to meet the needs of most honest pickup owners.

Competitors
Specifications
Engine Displacement 3.5L
Engine Cylinders V6
Peak Horsepower 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Peak Torque 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Fuel Economy 12.8 / 9.9 / 11.5 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb
Cargo Space 960 L
Model Tested 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport
Base Price $53,990
A/C Tax $100
Destination Fee $2,000
Price as Tested $59,108
Optional Equipment
$3,018.20 — Hard tonneau cover, $2,370.80; Protection package, $347.40; Platinum White Pearl paint, $300