The 2025 Honda Ridgeline AWD TrailSport offers consumers a compact pickup choice that performs well on road, and is equipped to do equally well roughing it off-road.
Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injection, VTEC V6 engine with variable cylinder management. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
“Real Time”AWD which operates in four-wheel drive when the accelerator pedal is depressed. The moment it is released, the system stops distributing driving force to the rear wheels and switches to two-wheel drive.
The engine delivers 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and includes a standard integrated tow hitch with a maximum capacity of 5,000 pounds. Efficiency is another attribute, with the powertrain achieving 23 miles per gallon fuel economy down the highway.
Ridgeline comes in Sport, RTL, TrailSport and Black Edition trims. It features one of the most versatile cabins available, thanks in part to its 60/40 rear seats. With a spacious interior that has plenty of room for up to five adults, the inside is truly accommodating.
TrailSport comes with a five-foot, four-inch cargo bed, and a maximum payload capacity of 1,583 pounds. A standout feature of this Honda is its wide bed and versatile tailgate that opens both downward and sideways. In addition, tie-downs are located both in the bed and perimeter, making it a breeze to secure loads.
It served me well during my seven-day test drive. Ridgeline easily handled a trip to the transfer station at Paine Field, and another to recycle and full load of corrugated cardboard.
While the bed’s 33.9 cubic feet of cargo space is less than some competitors, Honda compensates with a waterproof in-bed trunk that provides an additional 7.3 cubic feet of storage. The cabin also has extra space under the seat for hauling additional cargo.
TrailSport is equipped with an off-road tuned suspension, integrated closed box frame with unit body construction, intelligent traction management, and four-wheel disc brakes.
Exterior features are highlighted by a power moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, heated windshield and power door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass, LED headlights and fog lamps, and a steel-reinforced composite cargo bed.
Interior attribute will make you forget you are supposedly roughing it in a truck. Features include leather-trimmed heated seats and steering wheel, premium audio system with seven speakers, Honda navigation with voice recognition and multi-view rear camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, tri-zone climate control, power sliding rear cabin window, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and even illuminated visor vanity mirrors.
Both front and rear passengers are treated to extra space to store valuables or necessities such as sunglasses, gloves, and the like. A large center console serves that purpose in the front, along with pocket cubbies front and back.
Completing the Ridgeline package is the HondaSensing safety suite designed to make driving easier and keep your most precious cargo safe. When activated, these features use safety inputs to automatically provide alerts, and can also provide steering and braking assistance when needed.
Highlights include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist system and road departure mitigation. The system also provides pedestrian detection and automatic braking when needed.
Honda’s Ridgeline TrailSport is a gentlemen’s truck, for those that don’t need a heavy duty option for work or towing. It will move you around town in style, with enough technology to handle light weekend off-roading when the bug bites.
Base Price: $47,230
Price As Driven: $47,230
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
