Video: 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Up Close: Truckier Than Before

(exciting music) Starting up front, the Trailsport gets a distinctive grill insert with a bolder mesh pattern, Trailsport badge, and some blacked-out trim elements, including the upper grill bar and the mirror caps. This rugged-looking outdoorsy color is exclusive to Trailsport models. It's called Diffused Sky Blue. So of course, the Trailsport suspension is specially-tuned for off-road driving. There's a little more articulation for off-road obstacles. There's also a skid plate underneath that protects the oil pan from sharp rocks and other off-road obstacles. 18-inch wheels in a rugged looking pewter gray finish. And of course, the obligatory all-terrain tire. These are General Grabber A/T Sport tires. Honda says they provide a lot more traction in off-road driving but are also decently quiet and comfortable when you're driving on-road. Out back, new for 2024 is the Ridgeline script stamped right into the tailgate metal. That gives it a little more of a rugged traditional pickup truck look. And carryover features that are still very welcome are the Ridgeline's dual-hinged tailgate. In addition to opening like a normal pickup truck tailgate, it opens to the side as well. And we still have the underbed storage that the Ridgeline has always had. This is a great spot to put wet or dirty items, protect them from the weather, 'cause it's sealed on top of the lid. Also, you can just throw a bunch of ice in here and throw beverages back here because you've got a drain plug at the bottom. So it's a great tailgating feature as well. There are a number of subtle updates to the Ridgeline's interior for 2024 as well. Chief among these is a seven-inch digital gauge cluster. It's not 100% digital. We still have an analog speedometer on the right hand side, but a digital tach. And you can also choose a number of different displays through the steering wheel-mounted thumb wheel. There is a nine-inch infotainment screen. That's up an inch from the previous unit. And Honda says that the software has been upgraded, so response times are a little quicker, and the menus have been simplified as well. There's the wireless charging pad to the left, but also a space to put another smartphone side-by-side. So you've got storage for two smartphones in the front. Up-sized cup holders. Got the same push button gear selector as before. And the center console bin gets a larger armrest, and the bin itself is bigger as well. The Trailsport gets a number of exclusive interior trim touches, including orange ambient lighting, embroidered Trailsport logos on the front seat headrest, orange contrast stitching, and Trailsport logos on the all-weather floor mats. Now, this isn't a new feature for 2024, but it's still one of our favorites. The Ridgeline's rear seat cushions fold up in a 60/40 split, and that enables you to carry tall items in the back of the cab. The 2024 Honda Ridgeline lineup, including the new Trailsport trim level, is slated to go on sale by the end of the year. So be sure to stay tuned to cars.com for more information, including pricing as it becomes available. (exciting music)