Nice Drives: 2025 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport

The Ridgeline is an iconoclast

By Isaac Bouchard

Since being introduced by Honda as a sleek-sided unibody rig 20 years ago, it has illustrated that midsize pickups don’t need to ride and handle poorly, or have tight interior dimensions.

The current TrailSport takes those attributes and adds more visual attitude and off-road capability.

All models of the Ridgeline are powered by a 3.5-liter V6, whose smooth, linear power delivery—topping out at 280 horsepower—feels distinctly different from that of its rivals, a coterie motivated by turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. While its 262 lb-ft of torque is less than that of many, its responsive 9-speed automatic and standard AWD effectively channel the available urge, meaning the Honda can hit 60mph in 6 seconds flat, at least at sea level. Up here, it’s on par with its competitors, since their turbos compensate for our thinner air.

The Ridgeline rides smoother and handles more responsively than any of them. Thanks to the aforementioned unibody (instead of a separate frame) and coil-sprung, independent rear suspension, it is actually quite enjoyable to toss around. None of its competitors come close in these regards, and some—notably the Toyota Tacoma—are really shown up by the Honda’s acumen on sealed surfaces; it’s also more refined.

This is reflected in a much more carlike cabin, whose spacious back seat and flatter floor make it a more useful hauler of people and gear that one wants secured inside. However, the Ridgeline bed has the smallest volume rating in the class. But it’s wider than most others between the wheels, and it has a lockable, weather-tight trunk below the bed with 7.3 cubic feet of space.

And the Honda’s tailgate opens in both the traditional manner and swings to the side. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, significantly less than some models of the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger and GMC Canyon. Offsetting that, when not hooked to a load, the Honda gets better highway fuel economy.

Of the differences the TrailSport includes, the most obvious change are General all-terrain tires. Designed specifically for the Honda, they keep its class-leading lateral grip, short emergency braking distances and quiet on-road demeanor intact.

Additionally, there are softer springs and anti-roll bars, and a protective steel plate under the oil pan. There’s also a cosmetic skid “garnish” below the front fascia. Since the TrailSport has the same ground clearance as other Ridgelines, a modest 7.6 inches, don’t expect it to compete on really tough trails or sand dunes. It also does not come with all the extra under-body protection, off-road-specific electronics or tow hooks as the newest TrailSport version of the Pilot, reflecting perhaps its small sales numbers.

The Ridgeline has always been a niche player, since most Americans want their trucks to look tough. Its strengths are numerous and it is certainly a better daily driver, but it doesn’t send the macho signals of its competitors. The TrailSport changes none of that, but it does enhance the Honda’s abilities in the dirt slightly without compromising what it does best.

EPA Ratings: 18/23/20mpg

0-60mph: 6.0 seconds

Price as tested: $47,230

Rating: 4 stars

Here is what Honda has to say.