Used 2020 Honda Ridgeline

Based on the Honda Pilot platform, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline is unconventional in that it employs a unit body rather than the traditional body-on-frame design, and runs power through its front wheels, not the rear. The Ridgeline’s 5-passenger interior is roomy and comfortable, and its highly versatile bed includes a hidden storage space beneath the floor. The bed can also be equipped with an audio system that turns the plastic side panels into speakers.

Although not as off-road-capable as the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger, the Ridgeline can tackle modest off-road situations and is tow-rated up to 5,000 pounds. The Ridgeline also offers a number of standard driver assists that are either optional or not available on its competitors.

Based on a version of Honda’s Global Light Truck platform that underpins the Honda Pilot, the Ridgeline offers a lot of the same ride quality and comfort of that flagship SUV. The accurate steering, cornering ability and interior quiet are all right in line with the best crossover SUVs. Ride comfort is a key advantage, as the independent rear suspension means there’s none of the “bed hop” one gets in a traditional truck with its solid rear axle.

Since the Ridgeline is lighter than the Pilot, the 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and new 9-speed automatic make for brisk acceleration. If you don’t plan on off-road excursions the front-wheel-drive model should serve you well and offers better fuel economy. Alternatively, the Intelligent Traction Management system on all-wheel-drive models offers various driving modes to help tackle difficult terrain like sand and mud, making the Ridgeline more capable off-road than you might think.

Sitting inside the 2020 Honda Ridgeline pickup brings an eerie feeling of déjà vu. That’s because it shares most of its bits and pieces with the Honda Pilot. Climate and audio controls are straightforward and logically arranged, although the 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system could do with a proper volume knob. The transmission gear selector is a push-button unit that works well but isn’t as comfortable or familiar as the traditional gearshift lever found in most competitors.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive and both front and rear seats offer good headroom and legroom for adults. The Ridgeline’s rear-seat bottom flips up, providing enough space to fit a mountain bike or gaggle of snowboards. Moving up the trim ladder brings heated front seats and a power-sliding rear window for improved ventilation.

The original Ridgeline’s somewhat polarizing design was abandoned in favor of a cleaner look commonly associated with a midsize-pickup truck. The removal of the flying-buttress structures makes it easier to load the large bed, which includes a 2-way tailgate that can either swing out or fold down.

A standard composite lining on the bed belays scratch and rust worries, while a lockable trunk beneath the floor provides an added level of security even a topper can’t match. Although the Ridgeline is of one piece, Honda designers placed a seam between the bed and cab to make this unit-body design appear more like a traditional body-on-frame pickup.

TAILGATE PARTY!
When it comes to versatility, the Ridgeline’s bed is second to none. It can be used like a traditional truck bed to haul gear, but also features a lockable under-bed storage compartment for storing valuables. It even has a drain plug so it can be used as a cooler. A 2-way tailgate, in-bed audio system and A/C outlet further the Ridgeline’s outdoor recreation possibilities.

INTELLIGENT TRACTION MANAGEMENT
With Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system, the Ridgeline can adapt to various road and off-road conditions by varying throttle and torque distribution. On all-wheel-drive models, there are modes for Snow, Mud, Sand and Normal pavement, but even the front-drive cars have a setting for snow.

The base Honda Ridgeline Sport’s list of standard equipment reads more like an SUV’s. There’s the drivetrain, of course, a 3.5-liter V6 connected to a 9-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. But there are also active noise cancellation, hill-start assist, a rearview camera, power windows with (front) auto-up/down, push-button start, cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control with filtration, an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment setup, 200-watt audio system with subwoofer and Bluetooth for phone and music streaming.

On the truck end of things are the useful dual-action tailgate, eight tie-down cleats, truck bed lights, an in-bed trunk, and Intelligent Traction Management. Honda Sensing (collision-mitigation braking, active cruise control, road-departure mitigation, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus HondaLink are also standard equipment.

Every Ridgeline model can be ordered with all-wheel drive, and it’s standard on RTL-E and Black Edition models. Beyond that, Honda tends to group equipment by model, rather than as stand-alone packages. The RTL brings leather seating, a 10-way-power driver’s seat, heated front seats and a power moonroof, while the RTL-E adds a 540-watt audio system, blind-spot monitor, navigation, a heated steering wheel, auto high beams, rear cross-traffic alert and truck-bed audio. The Black Edition adds unique blackout trim, wheels and interior.

The only drivetrain option offered with the 2020 Honda Ridgeline is the choice between front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD). That’s because each Ridgeline comes with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 features direct injection and cylinder deactivation to improve fuel efficiency.

FWD is standard on Sport and RTL with AWD optional on these two trims and standard on RTL-E and Black Edition. Opt for FWD and you get very good fuel economy — 19-mpg city, 26 highway — but your towing capacity gets limited to 3,500 pounds. All-wheel drive docks the new Ridgeline’s highway fuel economy by 2 mpg — to 19-mpg city and 24 on the highway — but towing capacity goes up to 5,000 pounds.

3.5-liter V6
280 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
262 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 mpg (FWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD)