Pickup truck snobs are a fickle bunch if there ever was one, and their idea of what makes a "real truck" comes from traditions passed down from generation to generation. Body-on-frame construction, big powerful engines, and utilitarian sensibilities were requirements to be taken seriously by tuck snobs. Any truck that didn't meet these criteria were labeled as "posers" and "not real trucks" that was until the Honda Ridgeline came along.
Its unibody construction, comparatively small V6 engine, and its marketing towards casual pickup truck drivers made it easy target practice for Ford, Ram, and GM truck fans alike. But does their constant bashing of the Ridgeline have any basis in reality? Well, let's take a look at the facts and figures that prove the Ridgeline is worthy of sharing the roads with new and used Rangers, Colorados, and Tacomas.
The Honda Ridgeline is the definition of a scrappy underdog, let's look at the features that make it a viable competitor in the most contested vehicle market in America.
They're Phenomenaly Reliable, Especially Compared To GM
Ram and Silverado drivers, prepare to eat humble pie, while your GM trucks are stricken in the shop on its third heater core replacement in two years, the dependable Ridgeline, which is based on the Honda Pilot SUV will be happily chugging along. J.D Power reports treated the 2021 Ridgeline as having an overall reliability score of 81 out of 100, higher than the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado.
Opting for a Honda pickup truck provides you with access to Hondas proprietary V-Tec variable valve timing system. It's a system that lends itself well to both light-duty passenger car applications but also medium to heavy-duty work truck applications like the Ridgeline.
Although Honda's been known for issues with their automatic transmissions throughout the 2000s, Honda claims their in-house designed nine-speed transmission was developed for the express purpose of addressing issues regarding overheating and eventual failure of the gearbox. Something that would be beneficial to a medium to the heavy-duty truck like the Ridgeline.
They Can Actually Haul And Tow Reasonably Well
Let's be real for a second, a 280 horsepower V6 pickup truck isn't going to be towing tractor-trailer-sized loads behind them. That said, the Ridgeline is more than up to the task of almost any towing job the average person is likely to undertake.
The second-generation Ridgeline's truck bed is created to safely carry up to 1600 pounds, more than The Ford Raptor and the Ram TRX. Seeing that those two are far more powerful, larger, and more expensive than the Honda makes for an interesting side-by-side comparison.
Admittedly, its maximum towing capacity of five thousand pounds isn't the best in its class, but it's still more than enough to handle the type of non-commercial payloads that casual pickup truck drivers are likely to come across. Camper trailers and single-vehicle trailers should have no problem being towed to their destination behind a Ridgeline.
It Has More Creature Comforts Than You Might Expect
It's not enough in 2021 for a truck to just be able to tow large loads from point A to point B. In the 21st century, trucks need to be as refined and chock full of technology as their passenger car counterparts. This is where the Ridgeline largely doesn't disappoint.
Comfy heated and cooled leather seats seemingly straight out of the Honda Accord may not be exclusive, but they're undeniably comfy, and it only gets better from there. Any 90s kid who had the misfortune of growing up in the rear seat of a period-correct pickup truck knows it can get pretty cramped and cold back there. In the Ridgeline, tri-zone climate control which can be changed by the back-seat passenger eliminated this issue. The two fast-charge compatible USB type-A connectors in the back of the center console ensure your backseat passengers have plenty of electronic entertainment on long road trips.
Upfront, there's more than enough tech to satisfy the driver as well. A 4.2-inch LCD display in the middle of the gauge cluster makes it seamless to answer phone calls, change the radio station, or any other infotainment-related task. Granted, other trucks have these features as well, but not at the pricepoint that Honda brings to the table.
Not Just An SUV With The Rear End Lopped Off
Traditional pickup truck fans blast the ridgeline for not being close enough to the traditional American body on frame truck. The truth of the matter is this however, the Ridgeline is more than capable of handling the day-to-day rigor of 90 percent of the people who buy them. We think people who give the Ridgeline a chance are bound to be pleasantly surprised by how capable of a truck it is, and maybe learn a thing or two about how far truck technology's come in the last 30 years.
Sources: Honda, JD Power& Assosiates