2021 Honda Ridgeline

The second-generation of the Honda Ridgeline was an absolute gamechanger which made the whole idea of having a compact pickup-truck relevant again. The second-gen Ridgeline picked-up the underpinnings of the Pilot and beefed it up to offer the best of both worlds. Since then, the Ridgeline has been running mostly the same except for some minor cosmetic and feature updates in the following model years. The last significant set of updates that it received was for its current 2020 model. The 2020 Honda Ridgeline gained a new transmission, streamlined trim levels, and updated standard equipment. With these recent changes, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline which should hit the stores towards the end of this year is expected to remain mostly the same. However, the whirling winds echoing some mechanical upliftments are hard to discard though. Putting an end to curiosity, we take a quick look here at what the 2021 Honda Ridgeline could pack in?

One of the primary highlights of the updated 2020 Honda Ridgeline was its narrowed trim-level. The popular pick-up is available in just four trims today, namely; Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition. No surprise, all of the trims powered by the exact same powertrain on tap. With no significant mechanical updates on the cards, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is expected to be available with the same trim structure. 

*Prices and data of 2020 Honda Ridgeline used for reference purpose

Though we could see an all-new Hybrid as well as the Type-R model in its upcoming model year. However, despite the possible design updates doing the rounds, the pricing of 2021 Ridgeline is expected to be more aggressive. This is because of the fact that the Ridgeline has always been an expensive option over its rivals. Expect the 2021 Honda Ridgeline range to kick start at somewhere around $32k. 

Release Date

In the purview of the ongoing global pandemic, the automobile industry has taken a very serious hit. Especially the new launches. While the 2021 Honda Ridgeline was slated to be unveiled in the second half of 2020, things still remain pretty hazy. However, if everything goes well, we could see the new Ridgeline into stores by the end of this year.

Amidst reports of a new engine, it is very likely that the 2021 Honda Ridgeline will carry forward its existing engine. The current 3.5-liter V6 in the 2020 Ridgeline produces 280 hp @ 6000 and 262 lb-ft @ 4700 RPM. The engine comes mated to a 9-Speed Automatic and the power is channeled to all four wheels. But this engine isn't the most efficient, so Honda could add a new smaller turbocharged engine for better efficiency and low-end torque.

The current 3.5L V6 engine feels refined and powerful with no shortage of power at all. The NVH levels are well contained and road noise inside the cabin is barely audible until 3000-3500 rpm levels. Power delivery is linear and the 9-speed auto feels very smooth and refined in its operations. A healthy amount of torque available in the lower rpm range makes it driving in the city an easy affair. 

While the Honda Ridgeline does seem short on power when compared to its rivals, but that barely makes a difference in its behavior. In contrast, its lighter body and relatively compact proportions along with enhanced dynamics and responsive powertrain, the Ridgeline is without a doubt, a fun-to-drive truck. However, if figures are concerned too seriously, the much anticipated Ridgeline Type-R with 450 hp turbo-V6 should get the job done.

How quick is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab?

Straightline speed is not an important factor for making a good pickup-truck, but if straight-line performance is one of your priorities then this Honda might not cut it, the Honda Ridgeline is the slowest truck here in terms of straight-line speed when compared to direct rivals. The 3.5-L V6 engine of the Honda Ridgeline helps it reach 60 mph from a standstill in about 7.2 secs which isn't impressive considering it has one of the largest engines in the segment.

The top speed of the truck is restricted to 130 MPH and the quarter-mile run is done by the 2020 Honda Ridgeline in about 15 secs. While these numbers might not be as impressive as some other products in the segment, they are more than adequate for a utilitarian pick-up truck. With no major changes slated ahead, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline should offer very similar performance.

Honda Ridgeline may not be a quick vehicle when compared to the rivals but has enough performance to do the day to day tasks very efficiently. Among its rivals though, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, turn out to be the quickest among the lot. Thanks to their bigger engines with more power and torque.

How well does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab brake?

Along with its several other “goodies”, the current 2020 Honda Ridgeline also comes with well-equipped brakes. Ventilated disc brakes along with ABS and EBD, monitor the braking duties of this humble pick-up. The Ridge also holds an inherent advantage over its competitors due to its lower curb weight and bigger brakes than the rest of the competition.

However, the braking procedure in the ridgeline is not very inviting. The brake pedal does feel a bit on the softer side along with slime brake travel. However, under emergency braking conditions, the truck does not lose its composure or tends to show any significant nose-dive. Whatever be the braking application, the Ridgeline stays always very maneuverable.

While the Ridgeline does sport the largest set of discs in its class, its 60-0 mph braking performance is not the best. Just by a margin of one and two feet, it trails behind the 126 and 127 feet braking distances of the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger. With no signs of alterations, expect the braking apparatus as well as the performance of the 2021 Ridgeline to be very identical.

How well does the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab handle?

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline gets a nicely tuned independent rear suspension which offers a very good blend of ride and handling. Despite its significant weight, the ride quality remains smooth and the body roll is not very prominent. The suspension is well-tuned and offers the perfect ride and handling balance. Overall, the suspension is biased towards comfort. The suspension does its job silently and sitting inside, one can barely hear the suspension thud over the large potholes.

Moreover, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline feels planted on the road at triple-digit speeds and does not lose its composure when going over road undulations. Efficient aerodynamics and appropriate steering make it very stable and agile around corners. Its overall engagement is much healthy and pronounced than that of its competitors.

The carmaker has not yet revealed the official specifications and fuel efficiency figures for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline yet we do have a hint and considering the fact that Honda plans to repurpose the outgoing engine for the 2021 model year. Tuned for comfort and efficiency, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline offers a decent efficiency of 21 mpg combined. With no probable mechanical re-tuning, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline shall continue to delight buyers with the same mpg numbers. 

As far as the compact pickup-truck segment is concerned, the Ford Ranger turns out to be the most fuel-efficient in its segment with a claimed fuel efficiency of 22 mpg combined. However, the Ridgeline is not far behind either. Thanks to Ford's smaller 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that helps it achieve this feat.

Except for some polished fine-touches, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline would offer a very familiar ambiance on its inside. However, its cabin already boasts of the best in class fitting and vibe. The 2020 Honda Ridgeline comes with a rich and practical interior design. The top of the dashboard is soft to touch and there has been the addition of cup holders, storage spaces, and bottle holders in all the four-door trims. The truck comes with a 5 seat layout. The front seats are electrically adjustable and have good side bolstering and under-thigh support. 

The rear bench is supportive too and provides a good seating position with a near-perfect recline angle but the lack of space makes the cabin feel claustrophobic. This is because of the elevated seat height in the second row. However, we do expect a significant improvement in the cabin of the Ridgeline with the 2021 update. 

The quality of the materials used inside the cabin is top-notch and everything feels tactile and built to last. The 2021 Ridgeline will definitely be one of the best pickups in terms of the in-cabin experience offered. While its full-blown rivals may offer abundant space and in-cabin utility, the Ridgeline stands out with its emphasis upon class and comfort. Apart from the pleasurable cabin appointments, the Ridgeline also offers a whole bunch of creature comforts. Some of the interior features of the ridgeline are listed below:

What about the infotainment system of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab?

As standard, the current 2020 Honda Ridgeline comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The system comes bundled with Apple Carplay and Bluetooth connectivity along with a premium sounding audio system. Aux-in, FM Radio, and USB connectivity are also notable mentions. Apart from the in-cabin audio, one of the interesting gimmicks of the Ridgeline is its in-bed audio system for outdoor parties. 

While the sound system offers a great sound output, the infotainment’s user interface is not the best to use. While the display is crisp and the icons are large, the system's laggy responses and tricky interface make it difficult to use. Since we haven't seen any landmark infotainment updates on recent Hondas, we expect the infotainment to be the same on the 2021 Ridgeline as well. Some of the highlighted infotainment features of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline are listed below.

Infotainment features:

• AM/FM/HD Radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Navigation
• AUX Cable Input
• In-Bed Audio System
• HondaLink Connectivity
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming
• Dual USB Smart Charging Ports

Payload Capacity

The Honda Ridgeline does not get a segment-leading cargo volume but still comes with a decently sized bed. The loading sill is not too high from the ground and the boot area is squarish with some suspension intrusions. Overall, the bed is flat and wide but could have been better. With the 2021 update with some possible design-tweaks, the overall payload capacity of the Ridgeline may get increased. 

Surprisingly, the Ridgeline’s payload capacity is not very far behind its rivals even. Indeed, the Honda is better than the Ford Ranger and trails only the Chevy Colorado and the class-leading GMC Yukon. However, 1569 lbs of payload for a pick-up that is more inclined towards comfort and daily-driveability is surely very impressive. 

What are the other storage spaces on the inside?

In terms of storage and practicality, the Honda Ridgeline is one of the best in the segment. The center console comes with two cup holders and a storage compartment below the central armrest and plenty of cubbies all round that makes it a practical daily driver.

All the door trims come with a dedicated slot to house one-liter bottles and at the rear too, there is no lack of storage spaces. Furthermore, the party-trick for the Ridgeline is its massive in-bed storage compartment which none of its rivals offer.

Interior Features

• · 3- zone climate control
• · Front Seatback Storage
• · Leather Steering Wheel
• · Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• · Front And Rear Cupholders
• · Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror
• · Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• · Interior Air Filtration

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline will be based on its second-generation but might flaunt some subtle design tweaks. Don't expect a major redesign though. We could see some redesigned headlights and tail lamps, new bumpers along with an updated front grille. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R is also said to have a more aggressive body kit, revised and chunkier front and rear faces along with black accents throughout. 

Despite the above-mentioned changes, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline shall remain mostly identical to its 2020 model. Though truck purists don’t quite appreciate the design of the Ridgeline, it does have a distinct and handsome flavor into it in a league of WWE heavyweights. 

The current 2020 Honda Ridgeline, with its sporty and aggressive design, looks decent. The sharp design cues, sleek headlamps, and the big grille at the front gives it a menacing look that works well with its overall profile. While it might not have the mass and presence of its rivals, the overall package that the Ridgeline offers is truly one of a kind. Some of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline’s exterior design highlights are listed below.

Exterior Features:

• Dual-Action Tailgate
• In-Bed Cargo Dividers
• Illuminated Door Sill Trim
• Black Running Boards
• Available power outlet in the bed
• Available Bed Extender And Cargo Nets

Well, it's a Honda after all and that does mean it comes with ample safety standards and utmost peace of mind. Similar to its 2020 model, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline will carry a long list of safety features and equipment. Its wide array of safety and driver aid systems include automatic wipers and headlights, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, and other driver aid systems such as active lane assist, heads-up display, traffic sign recognition, ABS, EBD, ESC and traction control. Thanks to the HondaSense safety suite that was made standard with the 2020 Ridgeline.

Thanks to its hefty safety suite the 2020 Honda Ridgeline was awarded a 5-star safety rating by the NHTSA and recognized as a Top Safety Pick by IIHS. We are strongly optimistic that the 2021 Ridgeline shall follow the safe path of its outgoing model. Since Honda is keen on making the Ridgeline as safe as possible, the overall safety features and equipment in 2021 may be updated. However, for the while, the present Ridgeline model has all the safety assistance that one would seek from its class. Some of the safety highlights of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline are listed below.

Highlighted Safety features:

• HondaLink Emergency SOS
• Lane Departure Warning And Lane Keep Assist
• Honda Sense Front Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Sensors
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts
• Back-Up Camera with Cross-Traffic Assist

2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab vs. 2020 Chevy Colorado

The Chevy Colorado is a highly capable vehicle and comes with a comfortable, practical, and highly equipped cabin. The truck gets reliable engine options and can gear up some fast sprints as well. 

The Colorado not only gets reliable and smooth engines but is also more practical for off-road purposes. The Honda Ridgeline on the other hand provides a more comfortable ride quality and better driving dynamics.

2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab vs. 2020 Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger has always been one of the most reliable and practical vehicles of this segment. The Ford gets a spacious cabin, energetic yet efficient to drive along with great off-road muscle. The Ranger 

In addition to all this, it also gets one of the most aggressive design cues which simply give it a distinctive character. The Ford Ranger is also comfortable on the move and also has a more updated interior layout. However, when it comes to comfort, handling and driving pleasure, no other pick-up is as good as the Honda Ridgeline.   

2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab vs. 2020 GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon provides a premium and comfortable cabin along with great build quality. It has a powerful engine and impressive fuel economy, but the only drawback is that it is not as good in terms of practicality when compared to its rivals.

However, the truck is not as dynamic as the Honda Ridgeline and surely loses behind on elegance, luxury, and driving dynamics. Between the two, Honda Ridgeline is a sensible choice.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab comes with a much more rounded package and has something to offer for everyone. A refined yet potent powertrain along with ride-oriented dynamics, the Honda Ridgeline is a driver's delight. It's comfortable on the move, offers good efficiency and innovative practical touches along with an extensive suite of safety and tech equipment. With this being said, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab will surely make it a much more mature package. If you are someone who needs fun to drive and a comfortable pickup truck, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Crew Cab may just be the best choice. However, if you are willing to wait for slime months, the supposedly updated 2021 Honda Ridgeline should definitely have even more goodies in its stores. 

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FAQs

Is the Honda Ridgeline a good car?

Yes, the Honda Ridgeline is a very good pick-up truck. Among a fleet of muscular and robust machines, it distinguishes itself with a very nicely balanced package on offer. It looks stylish and offers a premium and upscale cabin, is fun to drive, offers great efficiency as well as top-notch safety. Moreover, the innovative utility that the Ridgeline offers is unparalleled. 

Where is the Honda Ridgeline manufactured?

The Ridgeline is manufactured in Honda’s Oklahoma production facility. The facility is Honda’s largest light-truck manufacturing unit in the world. This is also the only facility in the world that makes the Passport, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline, and the V6 engines used by these vehicles. 

Why are Honda Ridgelines so expensive?

The Honda Ridgeline is comparatively more expensive than its rivals because of the fact that it is not technically a truck. With the underpinnings of a premium SUV, the Honda Pilot, and a stretched body along with independent treat suspension, the Ridgeline tries to bring in the best of both the worlds together: the driveability and comfort of an everyday crossover along with the practicality of a truck.