2020 Honda Ridgeline: Is it worth it?

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline carves out its own niche among pickup trucks. It's not as burly as a full-size truck, but it has more towing and hauling capability than most crossover SUVs. This unique combination might make the Ridgeline worth considering if you're shopping for a do-it-all vehicle.

On the outside, the Ridgeline looks like a cross between a car and a truck. It has the sleek lines of a car, but it's built on a truck chassis with a short bed in back. The Ridgeline is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2020 Ridgeline comes standard with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is the sole gearbox available. All-wheel drive is optional on lower trims and standard on upper trims. In our testing, a front-drive Ridgeline RTL-E ran from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, and an all-wheel-drive RTL-T we tested needed 7.3 seconds to complete the same task—both acceptable times for a pickup truck. EPA fuel economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for front-drive models and 18/25 mpg for all-wheel-drive variants.

Ridgeline models equipped with the standard V-6 can tow up to 5000 pounds, and those with the available AWD system have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds. Payload capacity ranges from 1487 to 1534 pounds.

The Ridgeline has carlike road manners, thanks to its unibody construction and independent rear suspension. The trade-off for those attributes is a less comfortable ride than what you'll get in a traditional body-on-frame truck. The Ridgeline shines when the pavement ends, however. It's more capable off-road than most midsize trucks, and it has standard features such as hill descent control and an off-road mode for the transmission.

The Ridgeline handled confidently in our emergency lane-change test, and it received a five-star rating—the highest possible—for front and side crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency breaking, and lane keeping assist.

For the 2020 model year, every Ridgeline comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of driver assists that includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency breaking, and lane keeping assist. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard on all but the RT trim.

Price and Value

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is a good value for a midsize truck. Its base price of $33,900 is in line with those of other trucks in the class, and its standard features list includes several items that are optional on rivals. The Ridgeline's fuel economy is also competitive. If you're looking for a truck that's more carlike to drive, the Ridgeline is a good choice. However, if you need serious off-road capability or maximum towing and payload capacity, you'll be better served by a traditional body-on-frame truck.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Ridgeline has a carlike cabin that's big on refinement and short on utility. The front seats are comfortable, and the rear seat is spacious for two adults. Three people can fit back there, but they'll be cramped. You can also check out the interior images of the 2020 Honda Ridgeline. The truck's cabin is quiet, and visibility is good to the front and sides. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency breaking, and lane keeping assist.

The Ridgeline's 5.3-foot bed is shorter than those of other midsize trucks, but its available in-bed trunk provides valuable extra storage space. The Ridgeline has a maximum payload capacity of 1534 pounds and can tow up to 5000 pounds when properly equipped.

Conclusion

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline is a good midsize truck. It has a carlike cabin and ride, and it's more composed on the road than most trucks. It's also capable off-road and has standard driver assists such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency breaking, and lane keeping assist. However, its maximum towing and payload capacities are lower than those of some rivals, and its cargo bed is shorter. If you're looking for a truck that's more carlike to drive, the Ridgeline is worth considering, but if you need serious off-road capability or maximum towing and payload capacity, you'll be better served by a traditional body-on-frame truck.