My initial query regarding the 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport at Mudfest, hosted by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA), was straightforward: “Is it capable of tackling the extreme course?” Mudfest features two off-road tracks: a standard course manageable even for modest crossovers like the Hyundai Kona, and an extreme course designed for robust vehicles such as the Ineos Grenadier. The latter typically necessitates a PR representative as a co-pilot. Honda’s PR representative, Brad Nelson, responded with an unequivocal, “Absolutely,” and we embarked on the challenge.
Mudfest serves as a rigorous testing ground for trucks and SUVs, evaluating their on- and off-road capabilities in a controlled environment. This annual event takes place at Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula. During the event, 21 automotive journalists subjected the Ridgeline TrailSport, along with 19 other vehicles, to repeated runs through demanding courses. Impressively, the Ridgeline TrailSport performed admirably, even on the more challenging segments of the extreme course.
While acknowledging that the Mudfest extreme course isn’t comparable to the extreme rock crawling of King of the Hammers, the Honda Ridgeline navigated the same undulating, rutted terrain as vehicles like the Grenadier, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Ranger Raptor with notable composure. Occasional scraping of the skid plates was expected, given the Ridgeline’s modest 7.6 inches of ground clearance. However, the all-wheel-drive system effectively distributed power, and the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires maintained excellent grip in the muddy conditions, performing precisely as intended.
The introduction of the TrailSport trim, with its off-road enhancements, marks the most significant update for the 2024 Ridgeline. This trim level includes a skid plate, all-terrain tires, subtle cosmetic enhancements, and a slightly adjusted suspension. While these modifications are not radical, they underscore the Ridgeline’s inherent capability, often underestimated by critics. The Ridgeline is fundamentally a crossover pickup, blending elements of a truck with the underpinnings of the previous-generation Honda Pilot. It is not designed to compete directly with hardcore off-roaders like the Ranger Raptor, nor is it intended to. Despite being an eight-year-old design, a substantial facelift in 2021 provided it with a more assertive, truck-like appearance.
To ensure an unbiased and thorough 2024 Honda Ridgeline Review, the vehicle evaluated in this article was driven daily under normal conditions for a full week. For detailed information regarding our testing procedures and data acquisition, please refer to our methodology policy.
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport: Expert Review
Rating: 8.5 / 10
Expert Opinion: The 2024 Honda Ridgeline, with its now-familiar crossover truck design, continues to deliver an exceptional blend of car-like refinement and the practical utility of a midsize pickup. The TrailSport trim level further enhances its appeal, showcasing surprising off-road competence.
Key Specs:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5-liter V-6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 280 HP @ 6000 RPM |
| Torque | 262 LB-FT @ 4700 RPM |
| Driveline | All-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy | 21 MPG Combined |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 LBS |
| Payload Capacity | 1,583 LBS (max) |
| Make | Honda |
| Model | Ridgeline |
| MSRP (As Tested) | $44,980 |
Pros:
- Luxury car-like ride and handling
- Truck capability nearly matching conventional rivals
- Spacious and comfortable cabin
- Abundant and clever storage solutions
- User-friendly systems
Cons:
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Limited configuration options (cab, bed, engine)
- Polarizing styling
- No dedicated hardcore off-road variant
- Modest towing capacity and ground clearance
Following Mudfest, I drove the Ridgeline TrailSport home and incorporated it into my daily routine for a week. Consistent with previous Ridgeline experiences, it excelled as a daily driver. The rear seats comfortably accommodated a pair of Trek ten-speed bicycles, and provided ample space for adult passengers. The bed capably handled 1,500 pounds of topsoil, and the truck is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Even with the TrailSport’s more aggressive all-terrain tires, the ride quality remained remarkably quiet and smooth, comparable to a luxury crossover, with superior handling to traditional body-on-frame trucks.
In typical Honda fashion, the Ridgeline excels in numerous areas, and its inherent ease of ownership should not be undervalued. While most owners may not regularly utilize maximum payload or towing capacities, daily driving constitutes the majority of vehicle use, where the Ridgeline truly shines. However, increasing refinement in competing trucks and the Ridgeline’s price point are factors to consider.
First Glance at the TrailSport
Visually, the TrailSport’s updates are subtle. It closely resembles Ridgeline models since the 2021 refresh. The all-terrain tires and TrailSport badging are understated, and the test vehicle’s Sonic Gray Pearl paint is available across the Ridgeline range (though Sky Blue is exclusive to the TrailSport).
Exterior Dimensions:
| Dimension | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 210.2 Inches |
| Width | 78.6 Inches |
| Height | 70.8 Inches |
| Wheelbase | 125.2 Inches |
| Curb Weight | 4,495 Pounds |
Inside, the cabin is predominantly black with extensive use of hard plastics, yet it offers excellent comfort and ergonomic design. This extends to the rear seats, which feel significantly more spacious than most compact and midsize truck competitors. The interior TrailSport badging is more noticeable than the exterior, complemented by subtle orange ambient lighting. The infotainment system is straightforward, as are the vehicle controls.
Driving Dynamics and Performance
Since 2016, the Ridgeline has offered a singular powertrain: a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine is refined and powerful, though higher RPMs are needed to access its peak performance. All-wheel drive has been standard since 2021, paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. While not overtly fast, achieving 0-60 mph in just over six seconds, it is quicker than many competitors. However, towing capacity is capped at 5,000 pounds, suitable for a midsize SUV but below average for trucks in this segment.
On paved roads, the Ridgeline stands out as the most refined midsize truck, with only the smaller Hyundai Santa Cruz approaching its smoothness and handling prowess. The steering is precise and communicative, offering ample feedback. Body roll is well-controlled for a vehicle of its height, and maintaining composure during spirited driving is effortless. The ride quality is exceptionally smooth, whether loaded or unloaded—a challenge for traditional trucks—and potentially even softer in the TrailSport trim compared to the standard Ridgeline. It provides a relaxing, comfortable, and quiet driving experience, yet remains responsive when desired.
Off-road, the Ridgeline’s limitations stem from its ground clearance and lack of low-range gearing or locking differentials found in trucks like the Jeep Gladiator. However, the i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system effectively manages torque distribution, offering Normal, Snow, Sand, and Mud modes, performing comparably to Subaru’s X-Mode system. An additional inch of ground clearance would significantly enhance its off-road capability, allowing it to match the Subaru Forester Wilderness and surpass many four-wheel-drive Ford Ranger FX4 models in certain conditions.
Performance Specifications:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.5L V6 |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower | 280 HP@6,000 RPM |
| Torque | 262 LB-FT@4,700 RPM |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 Pounds |
| Payload Capacity (TrailSport) | 1,521 Pounds |
The TrailSport’s off-road enhancements extend beyond skid plates and tires, including softer springs (approximately 10% front, 5% rear) and a 75% softer (solid) anti-roll bar for improved articulation. While not a rock crawler like the Gladiator, it is well-suited for most Forest Service trails.
Off-Road Specifications:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Approach Angle | 20.4 |
| Breakover Angle | 19.6 |
| Departure Angle | 19.6 |
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Fuel Efficiency
The EPA fuel economy ratings for the Ridgeline TrailSport are 18 mpg city, 23 highway, and 20 mpg combined, a slight decrease of 1 mpg in highway and combined figures compared to the standard model. During a week of mixed driving, including light off-roading, my observed fuel economy was 18.2 mpg. While the Ridgeline was once considered fuel-efficient for its class, many rivals now achieve better figures, and hybrid models like the Ford Maverick and Toyota Tacoma offer significantly superior fuel economy.
Fuel Economy Ratings (MPG):
| Category | EPA Rated Economy | Fuel Economy As Tested |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18 mpg | 16-18 mpg |
| Highway | 23 mpg | 21-22 mpg |
| Combined | 20 mpg | 18-19 mpg |
Interior Design and Comfort Analysis
The Ridgeline’s interior prioritizes functionality over visual flair. Regardless of trim level, black plastic dominates the cabin, and the design is beginning to show its age. However, it excels in comfort and usability, enhanced by the Ridgeline’s smooth and quiet ride. One minor ergonomic drawback is the push-button shifter, which may not be the most intuitive for all users.
The front seats, heated and power-adjustable in the TrailSport, are exceptionally comfortable for long journeys, surpassing the seats in the Tacoma or Santa Cruz in terms of plushness.
The rear seat offers less legroom than typical SUVs, with a more upright seatback and 36.7 inches of legroom. However, it provides more space than most competing crew cab trucks, excluding the Jeep Gladiator. Adults can comfortably occupy the rear seats, unlike in the Tacoma, Maverick, and Chevy Colorado. While the Gladiator is larger inside, it lacks the Ridgeline’s ride comfort and refinement.
Interior Space Specifications (Inches):
| Dimension | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| Headroom | 40.1 | 38.8 |
| Leg Room | 40.9 | 36.7 |
| Shoulder Room | 62.0 | 61.5 |
Technology and User-Friendliness Assessment
Every Ridgeline includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Honda’s native interface is simple to navigate, though the graphics appear somewhat dated. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard for users who prefer smartphone integration.
A wireless charging pad and front USB ports (Type-A and Type-C) are standard. Rear USB-C ports are optional; however, only the USB-A port supports data transfer, with the others solely for charging. The TrailSport and top-tier Black Edition trims feature navigation with voice control. While lacking a dedicated digital assistant, the navigation system generally accurately recognizes voice commands.
Benefiting from its age, the Ridgeline’s dashboard retains physical buttons for essential functions, which many users find more convenient than navigating touchscreen menus. In contrast to systems like the Chevy Colorado, where resetting the trip odometer requires multiple touchscreen interactions, the Ridgeline’s controls are direct and user-friendly.
Honda includes a comprehensive suite of active safety features as standard. Forward automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are all included. Front and rear parking sensors are optional, standard on higher trims including TrailSport. While effective, these features are no longer unique selling points, as many competitors now offer similar safety technologies.
Cargo and Storage Capacity Examination
Honda offers the Ridgeline exclusively as a crew cab with a five-foot bed. This configuration is a limitation compared to some alternatives like the Toyota Tacoma, but it aligns with the current trend in the midsize and compact truck segments. The Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, and GMC Canyon no longer offer significantly larger beds, although many have deeper beds. The Nissan Frontier and Tacoma still offer an advantage with available six-foot beds on crew cab models, but not across all trims.
The Ridgeline’s bed utility is enhanced by its signature in-bed trunk, a lockable, hidden storage compartment that also functions as a cooler. Hyundai has adopted a similar feature for the Santa Cruz, but the Santa Cruz’s bed is notably smaller. The cabin also provides ample storage, and the spacious rear seat offers more in-cabin storage potential compared to some competitors like the Ranger or Maverick.
Cargo Space Specifications (Cubic Feet):
| Storage Area | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Rear Underseat Storage | 2.9 |
| In-Bed Trunk Storage | 7.3 |
| Bed Capacity Below Tonneau | 33.9 |
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport vs. Competitors Analysis
Remarkably, the Ridgeline is now among the oldest pickup designs on the market, second only to the Ram 1500 Classic. Since 2020, numerous new competitors have emerged. Smaller crossover pickups like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz present alternatives. Furthermore, redesigned body-on-frame trucks such as the Tacoma, Colorado, and Ranger have significantly improved in comfort, technology, and capability in their recent redesigns, often at a slightly lower price point for comparable specifications.
Honda Ridgeline vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Table: 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport vs. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
| Feature | 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport | 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT |
|---|---|---|
| Model | TrailSport | XRT |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 2.5L Turbocharged I-4 |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| Horsepower | 280 HP@6,000 RPM | 281 HP@5,800 RPM |
| Torque | 262 LB-FT@4,700 RPM | 311 LB-FT@ 1,700-4,000 RPM |
| Driveline | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Price (MSRP) | $44,980 | $40,100 |
| Ground Clearance | 7.6 Inches | 8.6 Inches |
| 0-60 MPH (est.) | 6.0 Seconds | 6.0 Seconds |
The midsize Ridgeline is considerably larger and heavier than the compact Santa Cruz, yet they share a similar crossover-based design philosophy. Hyundai essentially adapted Honda’s formula to a smaller scale, even incorporating an in-bed trunk. While the Santa Cruz is more affordable, achieving comparable features (all-wheel drive and similar power) necessitates upgrading to the XRT trim, diminishing its price advantage. The Santa Cruz is less utilitarian but compares favorably in other aspects.
Performance Comparison
Hyundai offers two 2.5-liter engine options for the Santa Cruz: a 191-horsepower standard version and a more potent 281-horsepower turbocharged variant. The turbocharged engine is the relevant comparison point to the Ridgeline. In XRT trim, the Santa Cruz offers more agile and engaging on-road dynamics, arguably being the sportiest pickup in its segment. Off-road limitations are similar due to its design (particularly the front overhang), but it offers slightly better ground clearance and an “AWD Lock” feature for a 50:50 power split, potentially more useful than the Ridgeline’s terrain modes in certain situations. The Santa Cruz can also tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, though it feels more strained than in the Ridgeline. It achieves better fuel economy, around 23 mpg combined.
Comfort Comparison
The Ridgeline holds an advantage in comfort, partly due to its larger size. The rear seat is noticeably more spacious, and the cabin offers greater overall volume. Front seat space is comparable, but the Santa Cruz’s dashboard design can intrude on knee room, especially for taller drivers. Hyundai’s seats are firmer, offering more support during cornering but less long-haul comfort than the Honda’s. Both offer similarly utilitarian beds, though the Santa Cruz’s bed is smaller with an upward sloping cab-end. However, the Santa Cruz features a convenient integrated tonneau cover.
Technology Comparison
Both the Ridgeline and Santa Cruz offer an 8.0-inch standard infotainment screen. Higher Santa Cruz trims upgrade to a more modern 10.3-inch unit with superior graphics and more features, without excessive complexity. Currently, the larger screen only offers wired CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless updates are anticipated for 2025 models. The Hyundai’s technology features are comparable to the Honda’s, with slightly more comprehensive systems.
Hyundai’s active safety suite is similar to the Ridgeline’s and has earned higher safety ratings from the IIHS, achieving a “Top Safety Pick” designation for 2024.
Honda Ridgeline vs. Chevrolet Colorado
Comparison Table: 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport vs. 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71
| Feature | 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport | 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 |
|---|---|---|
| Model | TrailSport | Z71 |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 2.7L Turbocharged I-4 |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Horsepower | 280 HP@6,000 RPM | 310 HP@5,600 RPM |
| Torque | 262 LB-FT@4,700 RPM | 390 LB-FT@ 3,000 RPM |
| Driveline | All-wheel drive | Four-wheel drive |
| Price (MSRP) | $44,980 | $40,200 |
| Ground Clearance | 7.6 Inches | 8.9 Inches |
| 0-60 MPH (est.) | 6.0 Seconds | 6.7 Seconds |
The Chevrolet Colorado, newly redesigned in 2023, is exclusively offered as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed and four-cylinder engines. As a traditional body-on-frame truck, the Colorado offers advantages over the Ridgeline in payload and towing capacity, and off-road ruggedness. The Colorado also has a lower starting price, and higher trims like the ZR2 and Trail Boss, priced similarly to the Ridgeline TrailSport, are significantly more off-road capable. The tradeoff is that the Colorado is less refined, handles less adeptly, and offers no significant daily usability advantage unless frequent towing is required.
Performance Comparison
Lower Colorado trims (WT and LT) utilize a 237-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2 trims upgrade to a 310-horsepower version of the same engine. While price-comparable to the Ridgeline, these higher Colorado trims are not significantly faster in straight-line acceleration, nor do they handle as well on pavement. However, the redesigned Colorado is more refined than its predecessor.
The Colorado is undeniably more capable off-road. The Trail Boss trim features 32-inch all-terrain tires and significantly greater ground clearance than the Ridgeline. All Colorado models offer superior approach, departure, and breakover angles. The Chevy can also tow considerably more, up to 7,700 pounds on higher trims, though its payload capacity is only marginally higher than the Honda.
Comfort Comparison
Front-row space is comparable between the Colorado and Ridgeline. The Ridgeline’s seats are slightly more comfortable, while the Colorado’s cabin boasts a more modern design aesthetic. Rear seat space is significantly greater in the Ridgeline. While the Colorado’s rear seats are adequate for adults, the Honda offers more room and better in-cabin storage. The Ridgeline also features the in-bed trunk, absent in the Chevrolet. The Chevy’s bed is slightly deeper.
Technology Comparison
The Colorado features a large 11.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital driver’s display, appearing more modern than the Ridgeline’s smaller screen. The Colorado’s system is more comprehensive, incorporating Google built-in functionality. However, many functions are relegated to touchscreen controls, potentially requiring menu navigation. The Ridgeline’s system is simpler and more user-friendly due to its physical controls. Chevrolet offers fewer standard active safety features, though more are available than in previous models. Equipping a Colorado Z71 with comparable safety features to the Ridgeline TrailSport still results in a more affordable vehicle.
Our Recommendation for the Ideal 2024 Ridgeline
The base Ridgeline Sport starts at $39,750, but is relatively basic, lacking even heated seats, and is pricier than comparable domestic pickups like the Colorado LT. The Ridgeline RTL ($42,580) adds significant features including a moonroof, heated seats, power sliding rear window, leather-trimmed seats, and other amenities. The TrailSport ($44,980) is slightly more expensive but includes the modified suspension, unique badging and interior accents, an upgraded eight-speaker audio system, and all-terrain tires. The top-tier Black Edition ($46,350) adds blackout trim and further features.
Among these trims, the TrailSport emerges as the best value proposition. While its all-terrain tires slightly reduce fuel economy compared to other Ridgeline models, the model-specific upgrades enhance its ruggedness and distinctiveness. The TrailSport trim is a worthwhile incremental investment.
