Honda Ridgeline

As far as midsize pickups go, the Honda Ridgeline isn't the most rugged truck around. It doesn't have the best towing capacity in the class, for example, and its off-roading capabilities are just OK. But when it comes to comfort and all-around utility, the Ridgeline is a champ.

The Ridgeline is unique in its class for its fully independent suspension and unibody construction rather than the traditional body-on-frame design. This combo results in an impressively smooth ride and precise handling. You also get a roomy cabin and some clever touches such as an in-bed storage trunk that's great for storing muddy gear or ice and drinks for tailgating.

Overall we think the Ridgeline is a great pick for a midsize truck. Check out our Expert Rating for our test team's report on the Ridgeline's performance, utility and more.

What's it like to live with?

When the Ridgeline was redesigned in 2017, MatoCar brought one in for a long-term test. We lived with it for 12 months and drove it over 20,000 miles. We tested everything from fuel economy to family accommodations on long road trips. The 2017 model differs in some ways from the 2022 Ridgeline, but it's the same generation so many of our observations still apply. Read all about MatoCar' long-term test of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline.

Which Ridgeline does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is a midsize crew-cab pickup offered in four trim levels: Sport, RTL, RTL-E and Black Edition. All Ridgelines are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque) mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Feature highlights include:

Sport The base Sport trim starts you off with:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Lights in the truck bed
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Automatic tri-zone climate control
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Seven-speaker sound system
• Class III trailer hitch with seven-pin connector
• Honda Sensing safety suite that includes:
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Ridgeline back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

RTL Moving up to the RTL adds several creature comforts such as:

• Noise-reducing front windshield
• Heated mirrors
• Sunroof
• Power-sliding rear window
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Driver's seat memory settings
• Power-adjustable, heated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Satellite radio
• Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)

RTL-E The step up to the RTL-E brings several tech updates, including:

• LED truck bed lights
• Household-style power outlet in the bed
• Truck-bed audio powered by six in-bed drivers that use the bed as a speaker
• Blue ambient interior lighting
• Heated steering wheel
• Navigation system
• Eight-speaker audio system
• Second-row USB charge ports
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

Black Edition The Black Edition is a cosmetic package that builds on the RTL-E with:

• Blacked-out exterior trim
• Black leather interior with red accents
• Black wheels
• Red ambient interior lighting

Several packages are available across the Ridgeline range including:

• Function package
• In-bed trunk dividers
• In-bed cargo net
• First-aid kit
• Function+ package
• Function package equipment
• Tonneau cover
• HPD (Honda Performance Development) package
• Bronze- or black-colored wheels (HPD Bronze package only)
• Fender flares
• HPD emblems and decals
• Unique front grille
• Utility package
• Roof rails and crossbars
• Running boards