Human brains often operate on autopilot, especially when we think we know everything about a particular topic. If you’re shopping for a midsize pickup truck, that autopilot thinking may cause you to limit your choices to the usual suspects. We recommend disrupting that pattern and taking a closer look at the 2021 Honda Ridgeline. We think it’s a sleeper in a category dominated by classic American nameplates.
The Ridgeline was updated for 2021, boasting a starting MSRP under $37,000 and aggressive, gritty styling that belies an uncommonly luxurious cabin. With a powerful V6 engine standard, it easily keeps up with the more well-known players. Where it pulls ahead, though, is with its roominess, friendly driving characteristics, and advanced infotainment, safety, and technology features.
Midsize pickup truck buyers are a mixed bunch. Some want a smaller truck with similar utility features as a full-size pickup, like a cargo bed and additional towing and payload capabilities. A big chunk of buyers just prefer the pickup truck body style, so they choose a midsize version to get the look without taking on the bulk and diminished fuel efficiency of a full-size truck. The good news is, the Ridgeline works for both types of buyers.
Boasting a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and more advanced interior infotainment technology than nearly any other truck in its class, the Ridgeline is a desirable choice for in-town drivers. It brings decent levels of pickup truck utility without sacrificing fuel economy and comfort.
Special Editions and Equipment Highlights
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is offered in four different trims: the Sport, the RTL, the RTL-E, and the top-of-the-line Black Edition. The Black Edition incorporates all the features of lower-priced trims and adds several exterior appearance enhancements, including trim-exclusive Crystal Black Pearl paint, black chrome accents, and 18-inch wheels. On the inside, red-trimmed leather seating and red ambient LED lighting is standard.
If you want a more custom exterior look, check out the Honda Performance Development (HPD) Package. This package adds dramatic fender flares, standout 18-inch bronze wheels, and a uniquely patterned sport grille that sets it apart from other Ridgeline models. Dramatic LED headlights and fog lights complete the HPD bold exterior look.
Each of the Ridgeline’s trims offers a different mix of equipment, but they all come standard with an industry-exclusive dual-action tailgate. The tailgate opens two ways: via a traditional up/down function and a swing-out door function. That easy access makes reaching into the bed a lot more convenient, which is good news since there’s also a lockable 7.3 cubic foot In-Bed Trunk to stash smaller items.
The In-Bed Trunk is hidden underneath the bed liner, so it doesn’t interfere with cargo-hauling capacity. The trunk also includes a drain plug, so in addition to using it to stow gear or transport groceries, it doubles as a handy cooler on game day. The Ridgeline’s Lay-Flat Truck Bed functions just as the name implies, with no protruding wheel wells to interfere with loading and hauling cargo.
Infotainment and Technology
Every 2021 Honda Ridgeline comes with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The vehicle’s connectivity hub includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a crisp and responsive display, and available satellite-linked turn-by-turn navigation. Add the optional in-bed audio system, and your entertainment extends to the exterior, essentially turning the bed into a giant speaker.
Honda offers an app-based vehicle management tool called HondaLink. This subscription-based program turns your smartphone into a data center. You can check your vehicle’s mileage and fuel level, respond to in-app maintenance reminders by scheduling service appointments at your local Honda dealer, and even transfer directions over to the onboard navigation system. It’s easy to keep your smartphone fully charged with the optional wireless charger.
Advanced technology extends to the standard Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies. These systems work together to create a virtual forcefield around the vehicle, alerting the driver to potential hazards and mitigating collisions through automatic braking and steering correction. This suite of five different systems represents Honda’s latest semi-autonomous driving technology.
The suite includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), which will automatically apply the brakes to lessen the severity of an imminent crash. The Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM) notices if the vehicle leaves its lane when the turn signal isn’t on and gently applies steering nudges to edge you back in your lane. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) automatically adjusts speed to keep your vehicle at a safe distance from the car ahead. Finally, the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) makes subtle steering adjustments during long highway drives to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane.
Interior Features
The Ridgeline is the roomiest midsize pickup truck in its class. It comes standard with a crew cab body style that offers comfortable seating for 5. There’s even a 60/40 split rear seat for even more versatile cargo-hauling capability. It works differently from the split rear seats in other vehicles, though. This seat actually lifts from the bottom, giving access to the rear footwells for stowing additional gear.
Some Ridgeline trims include standard leather-trimmed seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel for a more luxurious cabin environment. If that’s not luxurious enough, you can also opt for the available heated steering wheel and heated front seats. All Ridgeline trims come standard with special Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control, which lets the driver, passenger, and rear seat occupants dial in their ideal temperature.
The 4.2-inch driver information center displays critical vehicle information, like driving range, outside temperature, and more. It also offers a convenient phone and audio interface that lets drivers easily adjust the volume or answer the phone without taking their eyes off the road. There are plenty of USB charging ports throughout the cabin, including two in the back for rear passengers.
The upscale Ridgeline RTL-E includes most of the higher-end interior features, plus a 540-Watt premium sound system, two-position driver’s seat memory buttons, and an automatic-dimming rearview mirror. It also comes standard with a one-touch power moonroof and a power sliding rear window, two features that are also included on the slightly less expensive RTL.
Take the Time to Investigate the Ridgeline
If you’re one of the growing number of buyers looking for a pickup truck that doesn’t come with the extra bulk, the midsize Ridgeline deserves a spot on your shortlist. You’ll find features that aren’t available on other trucks in the category, including class-leading rear passenger space and the innovative hidden trunk in the truck bed.
Honda gives buyers plenty of choices with the diverse trim range, as well as the standout Black Edition and HPD Appearance package. The Ridgeline is a perfect choice for buyers seeking pickup truck utility and appearance without losing the smooth ride and drivability that’s sometimes sacrificed in this category.
MotorTrend describes the Ridgeline’s handling as “more planted and confident” than other trucks in its class, particularly its arch-rival, the Toyota Tacoma. Previous model year Ridgelines offered front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, but the entire 2021 Ridgeline lineup now comes standard with Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel drive, a system capable of delivering up to 70% of engine power to the rear wheels.
All in all, the Ridgeline is a happy medium between a crossover and a pickup. On-the-road driving characteristics are more in line with an upscale crossover or SUV, but the Ridgeline still delivers all the utility and capability pickup drivers expect. We highly recommend expanding your search beyond the usual suspects and giving the Honda Ridgeline a closer look.
