Honda updated the Ridgeline heavily for 2021 with a restyled front and rear fascia, along with new rugged aesthetic packages from Honda Performance Development. The current 2nd generation Ridgeline was introduced in 2017 and is expected to continue for the 2022 model as well. The Ridgeline remains the sole Honda pick-up truck and honestly is quite under-rated. It ticks all the right boxes of a capable everyday pick-up truck and has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Sure, it's not a heavy-duty work truck, but for most people it gets the job done.
Updated July 2021: If you're considering buying a new Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, you'll be pleased to know that we've updated this article with all the latest information currently available to help you make a better and more well-informed decision before purchasing.
Just like before, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline will lock horns with the likes of Jeep Gladiator, Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma. It will continue to lead the pack when it comes to a well-balanced and comfortable midsize pickup truck. When it comes to safety and comfort, Honda has updated the 2021 Ridgeline heavily with a revised infotainment system, and also refreshed the upholstery options. All of these will carry on in the 2022 Ridgeline. Aesthetics will also be carried forward with the possibility of new wheel designs, color options, and graphic packages.
But the most notable update to be expected is a hybrid powertrain that would join the peppy V6 it already has. This shift is expected as the trucking community is slowly embracing hybrid and fully electric models and is evident from the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid, upcoming 2023 Ford F-150 Electric. New-comers like Rivian with its R1T, Bollinger, and the Tesla Cybertruck are also raising the bar among fully-electric trucks.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline will start from $38,000 (est.) and most probably be a carry-over, with the only suspected update being a hybrid powertrain.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Expected Pricing And Trims
We expect the 2022 Honda Ridgeline to keep its trim levels — Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition. A new limited-edition model might come into play, but if so, we believe changes would be mostly confined to aesthetics. The pricing will, more or less, remain the same as well, with the base Sport trim starting from $38,000 (est.) and top out at $46,000 (est.) for the Black Edition.
In terms of add-on packages, the Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages that have been introduced in the 2021 Ridgeline for added aesthetic appeal will stay. This package will be added with new designs and graphics. AWD has been made standard starting from the 2021 MY and will continue for 2022 as well.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Engine And Performance
The sole 280 hp 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 is bound to be fitted to the 2022 YM, as it gets the work done. With 262 lb-ft, the 2022 Ridgeline is not as good as its competition, but the buyer demographic of this Honda are not so inclined towards brute force. Standard AWD will follow suit, and a 9-Speed automatic will take care of transmission duties.
We would love it if Honda decided to bring back the FWD layout, as it doesn't hamper the Ridgeline's capabilities for regular on-road use, which is where most trucks are used anyway. An expected update for the 2022 Ridgeline is the addition of a new hybrid powertrain. We are not sure which engine that will be coupled to what will most likely be a 2-motor setup. But we believe Honda will stick to the V6 for hybridization as well, since the 2.0L hybrid layout used in the 2021 Honda Accord is good for only 212 horses.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Towing And Payload Capacity
The standard capabilities of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline are to be retained in the 2022 model. The truck will be capable of towing a maximum of 5,000 lbs, which is lackluster seeing as its competitors from Chevy and Ford can easily tow up to 7,500 lbs. Payload capacity will be capped at 1,600 lbs. which is commendable though. We expect these numbers to go up notably if Honda decided to put in a hybrid powertrain. The change might bump the towing capacity by about 1,500 lbs.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Interior Updates
Inside the cabin, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline's will continue to offer the most practical interior of its class. Comfort has been given ample importance for the past years. For 2021, Honda updated the Ridgeline with features like fold-down armrests for front seats as well as some subtle tweaks to the upholstery and trim options.
All of these upgrades will continue, and the 2022 Ridgeline will flaunt the most comfortable second-row seating in its class. It is a 60/40 folding layout that's even spacious enough to fit a bicycle. Although, the truck bed is perhaps better suited for that.
Honda had heavily updated the 2021 Ridgeline with an all-new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It is now more intuitive and comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This will remain without any changes for 2022, along with the cool in-bed audio system as well, which uses actuators to vibrate and turn the whole bed into a bombastic speaker — making the Ridgeline perfect for tailgating.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Exterior Changes
Honda updated the 2021 Ridgeline with refreshed front and rear fascia which gave Honda's pick-up a bolder look that went well with its body style. There are no notable changes expected for the 2022 Ridgeline because of the major makeover it received in 2021. Honda Performance Development will make sure to keep things fresher for 2022 with new design packages, aesthetic shades, and graphic bundles. It got some cool 18-inch wheels for 2021, and we expect new rims for 2022 as well.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Safety And Reliability
Honda has always been at the forefront regarding safety and reliability. It has been upheld even for its pick-up truck. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline will most probably carry over a 5-Star NHTSA rating and 'Top Safety Pick' by IIHS, as it will technically and structurally be unchanged. A notable bunch of driver-assistive features will keep it in the spotlight with standard features like Ford Collision Warning, Lane-Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline will continue to offer a warranty package that includes a Standard Warranty for 3 years/ 36,000 miles and Powertrain Warranty for 5 years/60,000 miles. It would be great if they also added in a complimentary scheduled maintenance plan, which is lacking up until the 2021 Ridgeline.
Sources: Edmunds.com, Caranddriver.com, Pickuptrucks2018.com, Automobiles.honda.com, Cars.usnews.com