While many midsize pickups offer rear-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, turbocharged or diesel engines, the Ridgeline’s only available powertrain consists of an all-wheel drive system and a V6 engine.
In This Article...
A Honda Ridgeline pickup truck has front-wheel drive, right?
- The 2021 Honda Ridgeline costs $350 to $650 more than the 2020 model, but it no longer comes standard with front-wheel drive, raising the base price by more than $2500.
- On February 2, the Ridgeline is scheduled to go on sale.
- Costing $2800 is the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) package.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline costs $350 to $650 more than the 2020 model, but it does away with the front-wheel drive that was formerly standard, raising the base price by over $2500.
February 2 is the planned release date for the Ridgeline.
The price of the brand-new Honda Performance Development (HPD) kit is $2800.
Honda Ridgeline has AWD or 4WD.
Honda’s all-wheel drive system is known as iVTM-4, or intelligent variable torque management. This system uses a torque transfer device to provide power to the back wheels while being front-wheel-drive based. A clutch pack on each axle shaft connects the rear axle’s ring-and-pinion gear to the rear axle shafts, which are overdriven by 2.7%. By turning the outside rear wheel quicker than the other wheels, the Ridgeline is able to torque vector, effectively pushing the car around curves. The mechanism mimics a locked rear differential when both rear clutch packs are completely engaged.
The Ridgeline has four drive modes that alter the throttle sensitivity, traction, and stability control inputs in addition to the dual-clutch rear axle:
Normal: This mode is used for regular driving and maximizes fuel efficiency while modifying in response to inputs from the throttle, steering, and braking systems to enhance driving performance. Only the front wheels receive power when the vehicle is travelling; however, the rear wheels may receive power when the vehicle is accelerating, turning, or when slip is detected.
Snow: In this mode, the throttle is less sensitive and more power is transmitted to the back axle. This lessens the possibility of losing traction on slick ground.
Mud: Choose Mud, and the stability and traction control systems’ input is reduced while throttle sensitivity rises. As a result, the wheels can spin more freely without the engine power being reduced or the antilock braking system being activated. This keeps everything moving forward.
Sand: Using the Sand mode decreases the stability and traction control systems’ input while increasing throttle sensitivity. Of all the drive modes, this one receives the least assistance from the stability and traction control systems.
The ability to disable traction control via a dash button to the left of the steering wheel is another feature of the Ridgeline.
All Honda Ridgelines equipped with all-wheel drive?
The Honda Ridgeline has consistently received a bad rap from the vocal majority while being one of the best pickups for most Americans. That’s frequently because of its front-wheel-drive chassis and unibody structure, which make it a popular target for people who despise anything that isn’t body-on-frame and weighs more than 6,000 pounds. But the current Ridgeline has always had all-wheel drive, and starting with the 2021 model year, it will be standard, putting an end to the FWD Honda pickup.
In light of this, the Ridgeline’s starting price will now be $37,665 including destination. Although the 2021 also has a new, more aggressive visage intended to win over a greater share of the American truck market, that represents a price increase of almost $2,500 over the outgoing base model. The same 3.5-liter, naturally aspirated V6 continues to be the only available motor, mated to a nine-speed Honda gearbox.
After that, prices increase with extras like the $2,800 Honda Performance Development (HPD) package. You’ll receive new graphics that reflect the Ridgeline’s attempt to be more tough and outdoorsy, along with fender flares, bronze wheels, and this. Nevertheless, every model, from the base Sport model all the way up to the $45,095 Black Edition, has the aforementioned update. Customers seeking a middle ground option can go for the $40,645 RTL trim or the slightly more expensive RTL-E, which starts at $43,595.
The Ridgeline’s 280-horsepower V6 engine powers its work capabilities and can tow up to 5,000 pounds while carrying a maximum payload of 1,580 pounds. Although it may make you laugh, the latter is only 10 pounds heavier than the Chevrolet Colorado, a midsize vehicle that most people appear to be perfectly content with. Oh, and the dynamic off-road suspension on the 702 horsepower Ram TRX’s half-ton base limits its carrying capacity to 1,300 pounds.
All of this makes sense for Honda, which wants to increase Ridgeline sales and at the very least bring the vehicle into line with its American rivals. With the exception of the GMC Canyon, it was outsold by every other midsize truck in 2020, and in all honesty, it deserves better than that. On February 2nd, it will formally arrive on dealer lots, so at least you can stop griping about the wrong-wheel drive.
Do Honda Ridgelines experience issues?
This car is known to have a variety of frequent difficulties, such as annoying engine troubles, that might impair its performance. If you haven’t already, take a look at how long the Honda Ridgeline lasts. It is a fantastic truck overall, but it isn’t flawless, just like every other car.
Why isn’t the Honda Ridgeline a truck?
California’s Roseville The Honda Ridgeline has always been unique, so unique that many traditional truck aficionados won’t even consider it when it was first introduced 16 years ago.
Its enduring selling point is that it is a truck for those who genuinely detest owning one.
The Ridgeline has a more SUV-like than traditional truck-like driving style. This is due to its fully independent suspension and unibody construction, which replaces the more conventional body-on-frame system. The Ridgeline has less noise isolation and a smoother ride than most of its competitors thanks to this combination.
Second-generation model, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, was unveiled four years ago. Since then, some adjustments have been made, but usually not many. The newest Ridgeline has a redesigned, squared-off front look and a new, dual-exhaust rear bumper.
Despite the Ridgeline’s many benefits, detractors claim it lacks the tough off-road ability of competitors like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Jeep Gladiator.
The Ridgeline can go off-road for modest excursions thanks to a 7.6-inch ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and a terrain system ideal for snow, sand, and mud, even though it’s true that it’s not as rugged and tumble as most vehicles in its class.
Another criticism of the Ridgeline is that it only comes in a five-seat Crew Cab, unlike other vehicles that come in a variety of body and cab designs.
How far can a Honda Ridgeline go?
Some folks want to go through the truck buying process every two to three years. They appreciate owning a truck with the newest updates, technology, and aesthetics. Another group of folks wants to find a truck that will last for a very long time and then drive those wheels off! Reliability is the main factor to consider if you want a truck that will last for a long time. If you belong to the latter category, you are probably aware that finding a truck that will last requires some investigation. You must identify the vehicles that have been shown to last the longest and experience the fewest problems in order to locate one that will serve you for at least 200,000 kilometers. The top five vehicles with the highest likelihood of lasting 200,000 miles are described below. Statistics on which trucks may have the greatest lifespan are provided by an iSeeCars study.
Are Honda Ridgelines fuel-efficient?
The Ridgeline’s performance and towing capacity aren’t the only drawbacks for the 2021 model; it also has below-average fuel consumption. Just 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the interstate are achieved by the Ridgeline. Its competitors, the Ford Ranger (21/26 mpg city/highway; combined: 23 mpg) and the Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel (22/28 mpg city/highway; combined: 24 mpg), both get far better fuel economy than the 21 combined mpg of this vehicle. According to a recent ranking of fuel-efficient pickup trucks by U.S. News and World Report, the Ridgeline ranks last.
Why, therefore, is the Ridgeline’s performance on the U.S. News list so much poorer than that of its competitors? The Ridgeline’s V-6 engine and lesser towing capacity make it less efficient than a four-cylinder than the majority of trucks in this category. Large pickup trucks and other vehicles that need to tow or move even greater loads frequently utilize V-6 engines. A V-6 engine will often outperform a four-cylinder engine in such kinds of automobiles every time.
The Ridgeline’s V-6 is still the most fuel-efficient in its class, according to Car & Driver. Therefore, the 2021 Ridgeline is the model to buy if you’re seeking for a midsized pickup with a V-6.
How reliable is the Honda Ridgeline as a pickup?
The Honda Ridgeline has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it sixth out of seven midsize pickups. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $502 average annual repair cost.
Does the Ridgeline handle snow well?
The Ridgeline’s 3.5-liter V6 engine, which lets it move through snow, slush, and sleet, makes it the perfect vehicle for winter travel. Because of its all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain, it is more stable on icy roads. Winter handling is improved by features including traction control, stability assist, and ABS.
On a Honda Ridgeline, how do you activate the AWD?
If you’re going to be driving in the snow, having 4 wheel drive enabled is absolutely safer! You must carry out the following procedures to put a Honda Ridgeline in four-wheel drive:
- Holding down the button for roughly six seconds will disable the vehicle stability assist (VSA).
- Put the first gear on your truck.
- Select the “VTM” button. Variable Torque Management, or VTM, activates your four-wheel drive system.
- Once activated, the rear differential lock ought to function in either first, second, or reverse.
Why not use the Jerry app to discover more about your insurance options while you’re learning more about your truck? Simply download the app and respond to a few short questions to see all of your coverage possibilities. The typical user saves $879 yearly.
Which is better, Tacoma or Ridgeline?
A 2022 Honda Ridgeline will have many competitive benefits when compared to a Toyota Tacoma truck. Additional standard safety features, more power, all-wheel drive that is standard (the Toyota Tacoma provides it as an option), a roomier interior, a longer and wider truck bed, better fuel economy, and more amenities are among the advantages you’ll enjoy. A lockable truck bed trunk and rear under-seat storage boxes are just two of the Honda Ridgeline’s special features.
Is Honda Ridgeline the same size as Toyota Tacoma?
The dimensions of the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline are comparable. The Tacoma is 2.1 inches longer than the Honda Ridgeline in 2022, but it is 4.2 inches wider and 0.4 inches taller than the Tacoma. Additionally, the truck bed on the Honda Ridgeline is 3.5 inches longer and 8.5 inches broader than the Tacoma’s (measured between wheel wells).
Which has more interior space, Honda Ridgeline or Toyota Tacoma?
Drivers may expect a roomier cabin in the 2022 Honda Ridgeline compared to the 2022 Toyota Tacoma. The interior passenger volume of a Honda Ridgeline is 109.7 cubic feet, while that of a Toyota Tacoma is 100.1 cubic feet.
Rating of 118 city/24 highway/21 combined mpg. based on EPA mileage ratings for 2022. Use just for purposes of comparison. Your mileage will vary based on how you handle and care for your car, the road’s conditions, and other elements.