2021 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline has been our top-ranked midsize pickup truck for a while now. No other truck in the class can match its smooth ride, innovative storage options, and quiet and comfortable interior. It also has enough towing, hauling and off-roading capability to handle the majority of work or recreational tasks you'll want to use it for. On tap for the 2021 Ridgeline are a few changes to enhance the truck's cosmetic appeal.

It seems a little silly saying it, but Honda is aiming to make the Ridgeline look more like a truck rather than a Honda Pilot SUV with a cargo bed out back. The new sheet metal from the windshield forward helps give the Ridgeline a more squared-off look than before. At the rear is a new rear bumper design and a sporty-looking dual exhaust. To further toughen up the looks Honda has brought out a HPD (Honda Performance Development) appearance package that includes squared-off fender guards, graphics and special bronze-colored wheels.

Honda hasn't done much else to the truck's other bits. Other than getting standard all-wheel drive for 2021 and a welcome volume knob for the infotainment system, it's the same Ridgeline as before. Is that a good thing? We think so. Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth evaluation on the 2021 Ridgeline and how it stacks up against rivals such as the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma.

What's it like to live with?

When the Ridgeline was redesigned in 2017, Edmunds brought one in for a long-term test. We lived with it for 12 months and drove it over 20,000 miles. We tested everything from fuel economy to family accommodations on long road trips. The 2017 model differs in some ways from the 2021 Ridgeline, but it's the same generation so many of our observations still apply.

The Ridgeline is unique among pickup trucks. Its unibody construction (rather than more traditional body-on-frame construction) makes it more comfortable and refined to drive than other midsize trucks. It also boasts plenty of storage and abundant standard safety features. The Ridgeline does come up a little short on towing and off-road capability, but overall this is a very impressive midsize truck.

How does the Ridgeline drive? Many benefits come with the Ridgeline's unibody chassis, fully independent suspension and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Steering and handling are unrivaled among midsize pickups — this is where the benefits of being a car-based truck shine through.

We like how the 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic work together. The Ridgeline accelerates smoothly and has plenty of passing power on the highway. At our test track, the Ridgeline went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is a quick time for a midsize truck.

The catch: Off-road potential is limited. The Ridgeline is like a crossover SUV in this regard and lacks the underbody clearance, wheel articulation and low-range gearing that allows other 4WD pickups to venture into rockier territory. That said, the Ridgeline performs better with its independent rear suspension on washboard dirt roads than your typical solid-axle truck.

How comfortable is the Ridgeline? The Ridgeline has the best ride comfort in the midsize pickup class. It easily absorbs bumps in the road and feels stable and composed around turns. The front seats have thin-yet-supportive padding that provides good long-distance comfort. The cushions are broad enough to accommodate larger folk, and effective side bolsters help keep drivers with narrower frames from sliding around.

Noise and vibration are kept to a minimum in the cabin. The exception is the surprisingly playful and grunty V6, which you'll hear when you mat the gas. Automatic tri-zone climate control is standard across the range, and it cools and heats the cabin well. RTL and above models get heated front seats that work quickly.

How’s the interior? The Pilot is friendly to the driver and passengers alike. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is standard, and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. Getting in and out is a breeze thanks to wide opening doors and a cab that's bigger than that of any other midsize competitor.

From the driver's seat, visibility is expansive and the new squared-off hood helps you get a better sense of where the front of the truck is. The large rear window helps you see items that are in the bed or cars behind you. A relatively high-resolution backup camera is standard.

How’s the tech? The Ridgeline's standard 8-inch touchscreen is attractive and easy to use and gains a much-needed volume knob this year. Voice controls require relatively specific commands but otherwise work well. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range and can also be accessed via the voice controls. The seven-speaker stereo could be better, though. It produced significant distortion at full volume in our testing.

Almost all of the Ridgeline's driver aids are standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring is the only optional safety feature. We'd award the Ridgeline a higher score in this category if some of the systems weren't so sensitive. The forward collision warning system, in particular, can be overly eager in issuing alerts.

How are the towing and storage? The Ridgeline's bed is the only one in the class that can hold 4-foot-wide sheets without perching on top of wheelwells. Payload is as high as 1,583 pounds in the right trim. That's among the best in the class and enough to haul large loads of lumber or gravel, or even a pair of motorcycles in the bed. For extra convenience, the Ridgeline has a lockable in-bed trunk and a trick two-way tailgate that opens down or sideways.

Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Other trucks can pull more but we consider 5,000 pounds a decent amount. If you're really into towing, you probably want to get a full-size truck anyway.

Inside, the Ridgeline blows the competition away. Many small cubbies, a massive center console bin and a big, flat storage area underneath the rear seats mean you might never have too much stuff. The Ridgeline's roomy rear seat also makes it easy to install child safety seats.

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the all-wheel-drive Ridgeline (the only model available) will return 21 mpg combined (18 city/24 highway). That's better than a V6-equipped Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado but a little less than the turbocharged four-cylinder Ford Ranger. On our highway-heavy 115-mile evaluation route, our test Ridgeline returned 23 mpg. To us this indicates the EPA numbers should be fairly accurate.

Is the Ridgeline a good value? The Ridgeline's base price has increased compared to prior years because there's no longer a front-wheel-drive version. Still, you get a lot for your money. Even the base Sport trim has a nearly full suite of standard safety features, along with smartphone integration and tri-zone automatic climate control. Prices at the top end of the Ridgeline lineup might seem steep, but you get unsurpassed cabin quality and unique items such as in-bed drivers that can be used as tailgate speakers.

Warranty coverage in the Ridgeline is average with basic coverage and roadside assistance lasting three years/36,000 miles and powertrain coverage lasting five years/60,000 miles.