After the Passport & Pilot, Honda is introducing their off-road moniker, Trailsport, to the Ridgeline. So in what ways does the Ridgeline Trailsport differ from the standard Ridgeline models? In short, not many…
Performance
Engine – The powertrain of the 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport is the same as all other Ridgeline trims. It has a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 which produces 280 hp & 262 lb-ft of torque (208 kW & 355 Nm). Those numbers have not changed in a while. This engine doesn’t have too much grunt at lower rpms. It’s only when the rpm needle climbs past the 3,000 mark do things get interesting. It becomes lively and makes some great noises to accompany the increasing speed.
Fuel Economy – With this big engine and 2,046 kg (4,510 lbs) curb weight, fuel economy is not too bad… depending on where you go. In a city, it is rated for 12.8 L/100km (18.3 MPG) while on highways, it’s 10.2 L/100km (23.1 MPG). It’s possible to get better fuel economy with mostly highway driving as I noticed the trip computer display around 9.6 or 9.7 L/100km (~24.5 MPG) on mostly highway drives. My average fuel consumption rating for the week with the 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport was 11.1 L/100km (21.2 MPG).
Transmission – The 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport does not receive the 10-speed automatic of the new Pilot. Instead, it still has the 9-speed automatic. This is a pretty good performing transmission with smooth shifts. There is a slight delay if you stomp your foot on the throttle pedal but the transmission reacts in an appropriate amount of time for this vehicle and sticks with the gear it selects.
Braking – The brakes are average for a truck of this size & weight. They provide good stopping power and are easy to modulate in everyday traffic. However the soft-ish suspension allows for quite a bit of nose dive under emergency situations.
Handling – The Honda Ridgeline is quite different from other mid-size trucks. Instead of a body-on-frame chassis, it has a unibody construction, much like an SUV. This does limit off-road capability along with towing and payload, but it does provide the Ridgeline with better on-road manners. Four wheel independent suspension and a sharp steering response make it stable and easy to drive for anyone on any road. Much like the Passport & Pilot, the Ridgeline benefits from the i-VTM4 AWD system which has clutch packs in the rear differential that allows for real torque vectoring. To drive, the Ridgeline feels more like an SUV rather than a truck.
However, if you are looking for a proper off-road pickup truck, look elsewhere. The Trailsport trim adds all-terrain tires, slightly retuned suspension to cope with off-road bumps, and a skid plate to protect the engine. That’s it. It does not have a different ride height, it has the same approach & departure angles as other Ridgeline trims, it does not have locking differentials, and it even has the same off-road modes including Normal, Snow, Mud, & Sand.
Capabilities & Bed – The Ridgeline Trailsport is rated to tow 5,000 lbs and carry up to 1,496 lbs of payload. Due to the unibody construction and independent rear suspension, the bed is shallow compared to other mid-size trucks. The bed is just over 5.3 feet in length and 5 feet at the widest point. It is 4.1 feet in width between the wheel wells. There are bolt-on tie down points at each corner and the party piece of this bed is that it has a trunk within it. The in-bed trunk has 207 L (7.3 cu-ft) of space, it is waterproof and it houses the spare tire & jack. The tailgate is not damped but it can be opened like a traditional tailgate or from the side for easier access into the bed.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Thanks to its SUV design, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport is a very comfortable truck to use on a day to day basis. It drives smoothly over bumps and doesn’t have any of the jitteriness of pickup trucks, even when the bed is empty.
Interior Space – As is the norm, the front occupants are treated to a lot of space in the Ridgeline. Plenty of legroom for my 6’4” height and a plethora of headroom. The back seats are tighter, particularly behind my tall driving position. My knees dug into the back of the front seats. But at least the backs are made out of soft leather instead of hard plastic. The rear occupants sit much higher than the front occupants but headroom is just enough.
The rear seats can be lifted 60/40 for storing tall items or to just make it easier to load items underneath them. The floor is flat apart from a small lip where the bottom of the seats click into.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – With its unibody construction, noises that intrude into the cabin are generally the same as those in an SUV. There is some road noise from the all-terrain tires as well as a bit of wind noise when on a highway. However, neither of these noises are very obtrusive and you can still have a long drive without feeling fatigued. Engine noise is well subdued in daily driving situations with it only becoming more noticeable when it reaches that 3,000 rpm mark.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Honda Ridgeline starts at $49,990 CAD ($39,750 USD) for the Sport trim. This Trailsport costs $53,990 CAD ($44,980 USD) with the Black Edition costing an additional $3,000 CAD ($1,370 USD) at $56,990 CAD ($46,350 USD).
Gadgets – The standard Honda Ridgeline already comes well equipped with quite a few convenience features such as heated front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, heated steering wheel, power driver & passenger front seats, a 9” touchscreen with wireless CarPlay & wireless Android Auto, backup camera with multiple views, LED projector headlights, power sunroof, power rear window, & keyless entry with push button start.
In addition to the few off-road features, this Trailsport trim also adds front & rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and driver’s memory position.
Moving up to the Black Edition adds ventilated front seats, built-in navigation system, premium 8-speaker audio system, and a 150W/400W power outlet in the bed.
The 2024 Ridgeline receives a larger 9” touchscreen over the 8” in the previous model years. It displays Honda’s latest infotainment system which supports wireless Apple Carplay & wireless Android Auto. The physical volume knob remains as do the radio skip buttons along with physical Home & Back buttons.
Interior Design – The 2024 Honda Ridgeline doesn’t see many other changes to the interior from previous years. It has physical controls for the most commonly used functions, such as the climate. To some, it may seem dated but for me, it’s functional and simple to use while driving.
Most materials are soft to the touch from the leather upholstered seats to the upper portions of the dashboard. But mid and lower portions are made of hard plastics, however, you probably won’t be touching those areas. Small item storage in the cabin is decent with a large center console but somewhat tight bottle holders in the doors.
Exterior Design – The Honda Ridgeline received a facelift for the 2021 model year. The biggest changes are the new headlights & grille along with dual tip exhaust. Otherwise, the truck remains instantly recognizable as a Ridgeline. The Trailsport trim adds unique 18” wheels and bumper skid garnish in pewter gray.
Safety – Regardless of which trim of the Honda Ridgeline you opt for, it comes equipped with every driver & safety aid that is available on this truck. This ranges from automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot sensors, to adaptive cruise control, auto high beam and lane keeping system.
Warranty – The 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – The Honda Ridgeline is not a traditional type of pickup truck. But because of that, it is a more comfortable vehicle to live with on a day to day basis. Additionally, while it doesn’t have 7,000+ lbs of towing or 2,300+ lbs of payload capacity like some other mid-size trucks, some people don’t need to tow or carry that much cargo. They just need something comfortable and with a decently sized bed to carry a few things from time to time. This Honda Ridgeline accomplishes that.
Thank you to Honda Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Honda.ca
2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport Gallery
