The Honda Ridgeline returned to us this season in the form of the new for 2024 Trailsport. The off-road themed trim grade is near the top, falling just between the RTL and the Black Edition. This put the as tested price at $46,860.
Trailsport adds a few token pieces of equipment to bolster the off-road flavor of the Ridgeline and to some level its abilities off the pavement. These include a nice tire upgrade of some General Grabber A/T in 245/60 R18, mounted to a unique 5-spoke wheel.
There’s an “offroad tuned” suspension and an additional steep skid plate cage added under the engine to protect it as it does sit low underneath. The rest of the adds are all visual including blacked out trims inside and out, a unique grille design, nice rubber all-weather floor mats, orange accent stitching inside and lots of Trailsport logotry.
What checking the box doesn’t add you however is additional ground clearance retaining the same 7.6” number of all the other trim grades. Nothing in the way of augmented AWD components or software traction features are added either.
Standing back and taking stock of this new trim grade, it’s essentially a theme and a nice set of tires that will be handy in wet, icy or muddy climates. Not a bad thing but know it’s not transformed into a Jeep Wrangler by choosing the trim.
On more general news for 2024 Honda added some important upgrades to the Ridgeline that spans all trims. Sitting behind the wheel you will notice a new 7” digital screen and analog instrument cluster combination that offers more information and customization.
Center stage is a new and standard 9” infotainment display that’s well featured and easy to use. It’s got better visibility and sound is decent, best in the top-end Black Edition with the upgraded sound system. It sill has a single view back-up camera however.
The biggest news is the redesigned center console which has a larger front cubby for a cell phone to lay flat and charge when the wireless charger is present. Further back is a taller rear storage area with an arm-rest lid that offers way more space inside than the previous design. Nice.
The rest of the Ridgeline remains largely unchanged from last year. Under the hood remains its silky smooth 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with standard AWD and a 9-speed automatic transmission that works as good as it ever has.
Fuel economy is rated at 18 city, 20 city and 23 mpg combined. In our week of 100+ temps in Arizona with the AC on at all times we saw 18 mpg combined.
The “off-road tuned” suspension we liked the sound of but honestly didn’t really discern much difference on or off the road from the standard springs and shocks. On the washboard road and trail the Trailsport exhibited the same behavior as the Ridgeline Sport HPD we last tested where it can get a little rough around the edges driven too far off the pavement.
The fact is this is a vehicle that’s designed and executed to really be a truck for city dwellers who need the occasional box to haul big box store, home store and nursery items home – perhaps the annual camping trip.
It can to 5,000 pounds which is good. The rear cargo box has a deep well trunk that’s lockable and its dual opening tailgate is the bomb. All of this makes it the perfect truck for some while others will scoff and call it an open ended mini-van.
Whatever the case we like it because there is a place for this pickup in the grand scheme of things. We like it for its refined driving feel and performance, its comfort and quality and its easy to live with makeup. It’s a little pricey, but that’s because it’s a premium product.
The current generation Honda Ridgeline has been on our I’d Buy It list for some time, and remains there.
