2019 Honda Ridgeline Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

Unchanged for the 2019 model yearPart of the second Ridgeline generation introduced for 2017

　　The 2019 Honda Ridgeline is a distinctive choice for a midsize pickup truck. Rather than going with the crowd and opting for a traditional body-on-frame design, Honda uses a more carlike unibody construction and a fully independent suspension for the Ridgeline. These design choices give this truck class-leading ride comfort and excellent handling.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline RT 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for Ridgeline RT

　　Ridgeline RT

　　RT 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $29,990 MSRPSport 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,390 MSRPSport 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $35,290 MSRPRTL 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,870 MSRPRTL 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,770 MSRPRTL-T 4dr Crew Cab SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $37,000 MSRPRTL-T 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,900 MSRPRTL-E 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $41,920 MSRPBlack Edition 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $43,420 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　You don't miss out in terms of utility either. The Ridgeline can still tow up to 5,000 pounds (3,500 pounds with front-wheel-drive models), which should be enough for a light trailer and some gear. It can also fit 4-by-8 sheets of plywood in the bed thanks to a flat load floor — a feature that no other midsize truck currently offers. It also has useful features such as an in-bed cargo storage system that doubles as a cooler and a stereo system made for tailgate parties that uses the bedliner as audio drivers. Inside, the Ridgeline is spacious and quiet with plenty of room for passengers or cargo in the back seat.

　　There are a few downsides. It's not quite as capable off-road as some other trucks, and its touchscreen interface can be frustrating to use. Also, if you love the rugged stance of pickups, the Ridgeline's softer styling might be a turnoff. Overall, though, this is a well-rounded package built for the majority of users rather than a specialized tool for just one task. It's one of our favorite trucks on the road today.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Honda Ridgeline as one of zzdcar' Best Pickup Trucks and Best Pickup Trucks for this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar owned a Honda Ridgeline for one year and over 21,000 miles. To learn more about our experiences, visit the long-term page for our Best Pickup Trucks. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy. We test the practicality of its unique two-way tailgate and lockable in-bed trunk and even take it off-road. This midsize truck really differentiates itself from the rest of the class and we can tell you all about it. There are no significant differences between the 2019 Honda Ridgeline and our long-term truck. It's the same generation, so our observations still apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.4 / 10

　　Of the midsize pickup trucks currently on the road, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline may seem like the least trucklike of them all. Yet, it's for that very reason that it's one of our favorites. It can accomplish much more than you might expect.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. All Ridgelines use the same engine, transmission, suspension and tires, so the differences boil down to interior features and trim. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Honda Ridgeline RTL-T Crew Cab (3.5L V6 | 6-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.4 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	9.0
Interior	9.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

8.5

　　Among pickups, the Honda Ridgeline stands apart because of its unibody chassis, fully independent suspension, and torque-vectoring AWD system that improves stability on all surfaces. We like how the 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic work together. The catch: Off-road potential is limited.

　　

Acceleration

8.5

　　The capable V6 engine delivers a smooth around-town response that gives the Ridgeline an effortless feel. It also feels punchy when you floor it to make a pass or merge onto the highway. Its measured 0-60 mph time at our track was 7.4 seconds. Others are a couple of tenths quicker, but the Ridgeline V6 feels more consistently quick in a wide range of situations.

　　

Braking

8.5

　　The brakes are easy to regulate and offer plenty of stopping power, and the brake pedal has a reassuring firmness to it in daily use. At our track, the Ridgeline needed just 126 feet to execute a 60-0 mph panic stop, which is easily the shortest stop among midsize pickups.

　　

Steering

9.0

　　The accurate steering gives a clear sense of straight ahead, with effort levels that build up smoothly and give a reassuring sense of where the truck is headed as you guide it into corners. Steering response feels alert without being too sharp, which makes for easy car-like driving.

　　

Handling

9.0

　　The four-wheel independent suspension and unibody construction give the Ridgeline a settled demeanor that is far more polished than any traditional body-on-frame pickup. It feels utterly stable and composed, there isn't much body lean, and it is rock-steady when tackling bumpy corners.

　　

Drivability

9.0

　　The six-speed automatic transmission has well-spaced gear ratios, and shifts are simultaneously smooth and decisive in the normal default mode. And it works particularly well with the smooth and predictable gas pedal, which delivers a response that is neither too touchy nor too lazy.

　　

Off-road

6.0

　　The Ridgeline is like a crossover SUV in this regard but with an advanced traction management system that can cope with snow, sand and dirt. It lacks the underbody clearance, wheel articulation, and low-range gearing that allows other 4WD pickups to venture into rockier territory. That said, the Ridgeline's independent rear suspension performs better than typical solid-axle trucks on washboard dirt roads.

　　

Comfort

9.0

　　Ride comfort is second to none as far as pickups go. The Ridgeline's much more settled feel comes from its crossover SUV underpinnings, which help with noise suppression too. The seats and climate control layout are comfortable and family-friendly because of the Ridgeline's Pilot SUV roots.

　　

Seat comfort

9.0

　　The front seats have a nice shape and supportive padding that provides long-distance comfort. The cushions are broad enough to accommodate larger folks, and effective bolsters prevent those with narrower frames from sliding around. The comfy rear seats are set at a pleasing angle.

　　

Ride comfort

10.0

　　The Ridgeline is much smoother and more composed on a variety of surfaces than the competition because it's the only pickup in its segment with a four-wheel independent suspension. It shrugs off bumps easily, and there's very little head toss or jostling. Car-like, indeed.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　There are admirably low levels of wind noise and engine noise. The triple-sealed doors prevent road noise from entering via that route, but some does resonate up through the floor because it's a unibody, not a separate body and frame. Despite this shortcoming, the Ridgeline is still generally quieter than competitors.

　　

Climate control

8.5

　　All versions except the base-model RT come with tri-zone automatic climate control. Airflow is easy to direct through good-size front vents, and there are backseat vents too. The controls make sense and are easy to use.

　　

Interior

9.0

　　The Ridgeline is friendly to driver and passengers alike. It's easy to climb in and out, the cab is roomier than any other midsize competitor's, and it's easy to see out.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　A console shifter replaces the previous Ridgeline's column shifter, which allows for much simpler stalks for wipers and turn signals. You'll also find useful steering wheel buttons, clear gauges and an informative 4.2-inch data screen. Most other controls are easy to find and use.

　　

Getting in/getting out

9.0

　　Its step-up height is much lower than the Tacoma's, which makes the Ridgeline manageable for shorter folks or those with a limited range of motion. The large front doors open wide, but rear-seat foot entry clearance is a little tight.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　It's easy to find the sweet spot because all Ridgelines come with a tilt-and-telescoping wheel, and there's ample range of adjustment. The height-adjustable driver's seat is a boon here, too.

　　

Roominess

10.0

　　The Ridgeline offers the driver and passengers more space than any other midsize crew-cab truck. The differences are most noticeable in terms of the cabin's interior width at the hips and shoulders and rear-seat head- and legroom.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　Large windows provide a good view out the front and sides, and the blind spot isn't overly large. The mirrors are decent-sized.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　The Ridgeline is nicely trimmed inside and out. The material choices and overall design have a family-friendly sophistication that trucks, especially in the midsize arena, usually don't bother to attempt. Small panel gaps and nice-looking paint make this truck a cut above the rest.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　The Ridgeline is a solid cargo hauler inside and out. The cargo bed is longer than competitors' and has a strong payload rating. It also can hold 4-foot-wide sheets and has a lockable in-bed trunk and two-way tailgate. The Ridgeline isn't a towing leader, but 5,000 pounds isn't shabby in a truck class where heavy towing isn't a crucial purchase reason.

　　

Small-item storage

9.0

　　Multilevel front door pockets are large and offer plenty of options. The rear ones are simpler but still useful. The center console is deep and has a nice roll-top cover and sliding phone tray inside. The glove compartment is a good size, and there are plenty of cupholders.

　　

Cargo space

10.0

　　No midsize comes close. The rear seat bottoms flip up to reveal a broad, flat load floor, but the underseat area can still accommodate a medium golf bag beneath a seated occupant. The crowning jewel is the Ridgeline's lockable in-bed trunk, which can hold multiple suitcases, a large ice chest, or any muddy or wet gear you want to lock up but keep out of the passenger cabin.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　LATCH anchors and top tether fittings are provided in all three rear-seat positions. Access is fairly straightforward. There's enough rear passenger legroom to accommodate bulky rear-facing seats without compromising the seating position of those in front.

　　

Towing

6.0

　　If you plan to tow, the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline is clearly the one to get because of its 5,000-pound rating. Front-wheel-drive Ridgelines tow just 3,500 pounds, which is weird because the competition has no such RWD tow-rating penalty. You'll have to add an aftermarket electric brake controller if your trailer needs one, but the Ridgeline is pre-wired for that.

　　

Hauling

9.5

　　Surprisingly, the Ridgeline's payload rating sits near the top of the crew-cab class. And its dent-resistant textured bed is longer than competing crew-cab short beds, and the sides are low enough to allow easy access. This midsize is the only one that can carry 4-by-8-foot sheets flat on the floor between the wheelwells. Its unique in-bed trunk and two-way tailgate are unmatched.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　The Ridgeline plays well with smartphones and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on higher trims. However, we're not fans of the 8-inch touchscreen audio system because of its wonky volume controls. A full selection of active driving safety features are available but only on the expensive top-grade models.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.0

　　The 8-inch touchscreen is attractive, but the interface is terrible. The wonky touch-sensitive volume slider and small touch zones for basic functions are hard to use, especially when moving. The base 5-inch audio system without nav has knobs and is refreshingly simple. Nifty truck bed speakers are available on the RTL-E and up.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, a USB jack that supports iPod, and an auxiliary jack are standard across the board. RTL-T trims and above support Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, add a second USB input up front, and come with two charge-only USB sockets for the back seat.

　　

Driver aids

7.0

　　The Ridgeline offers driver aids such as automated emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and more. But these are only available on the high-end RTL-E and Black Edition. Some competitors are starting to offer this gear at much lower price points as standard equipment. Also, Honda's forward collision warning system can be very sensitive, and our test car had multiple, inexplicable false alarms that were disconcerting.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　The voice interface can control phone, navigation and audio. Commands need to follow certain guidelines, but some plain language commands do work. Press and hold the voice button to bypass these and get to Siri's much more sophisticated voice commands via your paired iPhone.

　　

Which Ridgeline does zzdcar recommend?

　　The midlevel Honda Ridgeline, and the one we recommend, is the RTL-T. It offers most of the functional equipment we like without the cost of the top-level creature comforts. You can get it with front- or all-wheel drive (we prefer AWD for the added towing capacity), and it comes with the upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

　　

2019 Honda Ridgeline models

　　The 2019 Honda Ridgeline is a four-door, crew-cab-only midsize pickup that is offered in six trim levels: RT, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E and the Black Edition. The RT is available with front-wheel drive only, while the Sport and the RTL are available with front- or all-wheel drive. The RTL-E and the Black Edition are AWD only. All come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 horsepower, 262 pound-feet of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission.

　　The base trim level RT has a decent amount of standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a tow hitch, cruise control, air conditioning, push-button start, and a power lock system that includes the dual-action tailgate. There's a 4.2-inch information screen between the gauges, Bluetooth connectivity, and a seven-speaker sound system that includes a USB port and a 5-inch screen interface that also displays the rearview camera.

　　Step up to the Sport and you'll get foglights, gray-painted alloy wheels, body-color door and tailgate handles, keyless entry, remote engine start and tri-zone automatic climate control.

　　Next up is the RTL, which has leather seating. The front seats are heated, with an armrest and eight-way power adjustments for the driver and four-way power adjustments for the passenger. All-wheel-drive versions have heated outside mirrors and a noise-reducing windshield.

　　Our pick is the RTL-T, which adds LED daytime running lights and Honda's LaneWatch passenger-side blind-spot camera system. It also upgrades to the 8-inch touchscreen audio system that brings along a more powerful seven-speaker audio system, navigation, HD radio, satellite radio, three more USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Audio smartphone integration.

　　Move up to the RTL-E if you want advanced safety gear such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Functional differences include a sunroof, LED headlights, driver-seat memory settings, a heated steering wheel, a front passenger armrest, a power-sliding rear window, parking sensors, and a two-prong power outlet and LED cargo lights in the bed. It also has an upgraded sound system with a unique truck-bed speaker system.

　　Finally, there's the Black Edition, which is essentially an RTL-E with black paint, black-painted wheels, black trim, a black headliner and red-accented black leather seats.

　　

2019 Ridgeline Highlights

Trim: RTSportRTLRTL-TRTL-EBlack EditionRT

　　

Base MSRP	$29,990
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$172/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	3,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles