Honda’s Ridgeline is a well-designed and well-liked pickup truck with SUV characteristics, proof the company’s been doing something right since the Ridgeline’s 2005 launch. If you’re hauling equipment to a job or to the lake or into the woods and weather doesn’t harm what you’re hauling, this makes a fun, versatile vehicle. If you’re aggressively punishing your truck off-road daily or at the construction site or elsewhere, keep options open for other similarly priced vehicles of this type.
What’s New?
First, with the TrailSport trim, my tester, you get a new off-road tuned suspension with improved off-road ride quality. The TrailSport also includes Passport’s first-ever all-terrain tires. Standard General Grabber A/T Sport tires (245/60R18), mounted on unique Pewter-painted 18-inch wheels, substantially improve TrailSport’s traction in dirt, sand, mud, rocky terrain and snow. It starts at $44,500 and tops out at $45,875 with options and delivery. Pewter Gray five-spoke wheels come with.
Inside
It’s a lot of fun upon climb-in, with orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and seats and the TrailSport logo embroidered on the front seat head restraints and molded onto its standard all-season rubber floor mats. It’s not a tricked-out leatherfest but it’s got enough personality that whoever owns it will probably get attached to the fun interior.
All 2024 Passports receive a new center console with a large, integrated armrest and expanded storage. A simpler integrated navigation system uses fewer menus and runs on a larger, 9-inch touchscreen.
The center console storage bin can now store a full-size tablet if need be, and an improved storage tray ahead of the shifter is large enough to accommodate two large smartphones, side by side. TrailSport-branded rubber floormats that should make for easy cleaning after a day’s outing.
The Nav/Sound/Climate system was pleasant/passable, and didn’t take much time to get to know. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Qi-compatible wireless charging and four USB-C charging ports are standard.
Engine
The TrailSport gets the same AWD system as all the other Ridgelines. Honda says as much as 70 percent of the (unchanged) 3.5-liter V-6’s 262 lb-ft of torque can be routed to the rear wheels, with power capable of being directed to either side. Drive modes for sand, snow, and mud alter throttle mapping, transmission, traction control settings, and torque distribution to maintain momentum on slick surfaces. Mileage is about 18 MPG city, 24 highway, 21 combined.
The Drive
I took the Ridgeline off road but did not clobber it, and the ride was bouncy but manageable. There isn’t any grunt to the TrailSport, and you don’t want one – it’s not that type of vehicle. On the regular highway, it was smooth, relatively quiet and you’d really never know there was a bed behind you. This also makes it good for newer drivers, or those of smaller stature – it’s incredibly easy to drive, and there is zero drama possible when accelerating.
Safety
All 2024 Passports come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. On Passport, Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
Click here for more Ridgeline info.
The 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport is a fine addition to an already-capable badge. Just keep options open.