Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge and Ram, but stakes claim to small- and off-road truck territory with its 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport AWD.
Rugged and refreshed, TrailSport is the first ever, and most off-road capable Ridgeline ever. Engineered to get weekend adventurers even further off the beaten path, the new Ridgeline TrailSport features special off-road hardware, including an off-road-tuned suspension, trail-ready all-terrain tires, and steel underbody protection.
“With more off-road performance than ever before, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline builds on our legacy of engineering rugged, capable and comfortable light trucks for active, youthful weekend adventurers,” said Lance Woelfer, assistant vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Ridgeline sales are up nearly 22% this year, bringing new buyers into the Honda brand with, by far, the highest conquest rate in our lineup.”
Ridgeline is offered in Sport, RTL, TrailSport and Black Edition trims. My tester included all-wheel drive and a crew cab that fits up to five adults with an EPA rating of 23 miles per gallon down the highway.
Designed and developed in the U.S., the refreshed 2024 Ridgeline lineup comes standard with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, and award-winning iVTM4 all wheel drive with standard four-mode Intelligent traction management allows drivers to customize for different terrains including sand, snow, mud and paved roads.
TrailSport is equipped with an exclusive, rugged, off-road tuned suspension that improves articulation and off-road ride quality without sacrificing Ridgeline’s exceptional on-road comfort and best-in-class handling.
Creature comforts, combined with a smooth ride, quickly forget you’re driving a truck. My favorites were the seven-inch digital instrument cluster, integrated navigation system, leather-trimmed seats, power moonroof, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and phone charging, audio system with seven speakers, Bluetooth, and USB audio interface.
Other goodies included tri-zone automatic climate control, heated seats and steering wheel, and a new center console with a large, newly-integrated armrest and expanded storage. The center-console storage bin can now swallow a full-size tablet, and an improved storage tray ahead of the shifter is large enough to accommodate two smartphones, side by side. Ridgeline’s dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk continue as standard on all trims.
The short bed with hooks in all corners delivers versatility for virtually any need. I put it to use transporting 20 grass sod rolls from Snohomish to my backyard to repair bare spots the dogs helped create over the winter.
My TrailSport sported a “Sonic Gray” coat of enamel along with 18-inch alloy wheels. Other features included a steel reinforced composite cargo bed, integrated Class III trailer hitch and harness, heated mirrors and windshield, LED headlights and fog lamps, push-button and remote engine start, and front and rear parking sensors.
Like its car fleet, Honda includes HondaSensing safety suite on all Ridgeline’s. It includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, lane-keeping assist system and road departure mitigation.
Other safety features include vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking system, blind spot information, rear cross-traffic monitor, front and side airbags, and a multi-view rear camera.
Base Price: $46,525
Price As Driven: $46,830
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships
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