Is the 2024 Honda Ridgeline a Good Pickup Truck? 5 Pros, 4 Cons

With its unibody design, carlike ride, clever features and easy-to-maneuver mid-size dimensions, the Honda Ridgeline is still the perfect pickup truck for many buyers. However, its current generation is starting to show its age as competitors roll out redesigns despite regular updates, including a more rugged-looking TrailSport trim and tech upgrades for the 2024 model year.

Related: 2024 Honda Ridgeline Review: The Competition Is Closing In

The TrailSport gets more aggressive all-terrain tires, underbody protection and the requisite blacked-out trim found with similar packages from other brands. But where the TrailSport is mostly an appearance package, more recently redesigned competitors, such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma, offer off-road versions that combine more capability while still being civilized on pavement.

Cars.com Road Test Editor Brian Normile sampled a new Ridgeline in the TrailSport trim to see how it stacks up. Tap the link above for his expert review, or keep reading to learn five things we like about the 2024 Honda Ridgeline and four we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Comfortable Ride

A carlike ride with good body control has always been one of the Ridgeline’s strong suits, and that’s true even in the TrailSport trim with its all-terrain tires. The Ridgeline’s competitors have narrowed the gap by improving ride quality and increasing capability, but the Ridgeline still has the best on-road manners of the bunch, with an impressively absorbent ride and body control for a pickup.

2. New Touchscreen

The Ridgeline’s 2024 update brings a new 9-inch touchscreen in place of the old 8-inch unit; it features a faster processor and adds wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. There’s also a storage pad ahead of the shifter that is big enough to hold two smartphones side by side; half of it doubles as a wireless charging pad. The improvements are welcome, but other systems offer sharper graphics and a more modern look.

3. Good Visibility

Outward visibility has always been an advantage for the Ridgeline thanks to a short, low hood, relatively high seating position, upright windshield and big windows all around. Decent-size mirrors mounted on the doors and thin B-pillars are a big help with seeing what’s around you, too, especially in tight quarters.

4. Comfortable Cabin

A lower step-in height than a traditional pickup’s makes it easier to get in and out of the Ridgeline, and there’s decent room for passengers once inside. Rear-seat room is particularly good for a mid-size pickup, and ample storage options include a rear seat cushion that flips up to reveal a flat floor for storing bulky items. There’s also a deep storage bin in the center console along with an assortment of cupholders and power outlets.

5. Clever Bed

Different automakers have been working overtime to come up with innovative pickup bed and tailgate ideas, but the Ridgeline remains largely in a class by itself. A large, lockable storage compartment under the bed includes drain holes for wet gear, and access is made easier by a two-way tailgate that opens either down or to the side. A lack of wheel wells intruding into the bed makes it easier to make the most of the space, too.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Vague Steering

The Ridgeline TrailSport’s steering is vague and doesn’t provide much feedback to the driver, which isn’t unusual for a pickup, but it isn’t typical of the sharp steering usually found in a Honda. The automaker’s own Pilot SUV has more steering feel when kitted out in the TrailSport trim. But while the Pilot rides on a new platform, the Ridgeline soldiers on with a version of the Pilot’s last-generation platform. Here’s hoping the Ridgeline gets a similar update soon.

2. Troublesome Transmission

All Ridgelines come with a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, which is OK around town but seems to constantly struggle to find the right gear at faster speeds. Its sluggish response can be alleviated somewhat by keeping the Ridgeline in Sport mode, but that increases engine noise.

3. Middling Fuel Economy

With an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18/23/20 mpg city/highway/combined, the Ridgeline TrailSport is in line with other four-wheel-drive competitors. Without the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires and gear, the regular Ridgeline does slightly better at 18/24/21 mpg. But according to the trip computer in our test truck, we only saw around 17 mpg in mixed driving.

4. Pricey Pickup

A base price of around $41,000 (including destination) makes the Ridgeline considerably more expensive than most competitors when similarly equipped. Our TrailSport test vehicle came to almost $47,000, a not-insignificant sum for a mid-size pickup. If your priorities include a spacious and comfortable cabin, a carlike ride and lots of clever storage, the Ridgeline is worth a long look. If you’re looking for maximum towing, hauling and off-road capability, you might be better off elsewhere.

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