2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E Review and Comparison

Join me as we compare the new 2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E to the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado. We will also go over how the RTL-E differs from the RTL below it and the Black Edition above it.

00:00 Intro
00:53 What's Under the Hood?
01:33 Horsepower Comparison
01:55 Miles Per Gallon Comparison
02:40 Trim Level Comparison
03:33 The Walk Around
06:56 The In-Bed Audio System
08:24 The Second Row Space
09:46 The Front Row Space
10:57 The Dash Layout
16:52 The Touchscreen
22:20 The Backup Camera
23:37 Final Thoughts - All Comparisons

Questions and Comments:
Justin Fuller
Text: 737.443.9555

Track Name: Upbeat Travel Vlog by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Voices
Infraction - No Copyright Music

[bikebudha]

What makes this review so good is the 'throwing up of stats' onto the screen. Super useful...

[julesanderson]

great review! I just came from my local dealer where I was having my 2017 RTL-T Ridgeline serviced/inspected/recall addressed...decided to take advantage of the high resales currently going on which made the higher price tag much more palatable!...thanks for the walk-thru of the driver controls. It'll make my "introduction" to the actual vehicle easier and I'll be able to reference your video, if necessary, once I get her home! The 2022 RTL-E will be my 4th Ridgeline (2007, '12, '17, '22) and I have yet to stop loving them! The most comfortable ride (like a car, not a truck; I've been up and down the east coast several times over the past many years), quiet and responsive, comfy cabin for me and passengers, the in-bed storage/trunk, tow package, winter handling has been great..they've all done just what I needed. My only real complaint on the '17 is the rear doors don't open far enough but it appears the '22 will, so this gal and her pup will be happy! Hopefully will take delivery in a week or less - just waiting for the delivery truck (which is in state) to arrive at the dealership.

[chriswoods]

Bruh, that's exactly how I want my vehicle reviews to go. You covered everything and highlighted all the important stuff. You hit us with the stats that really matter and didn't dig into crap that nobody cares about. I'm subscribing...and prolly gonna go buy a ridgeline. Nice work!

[carlclarke]

Hay the RTL E is sick i own a 23, it a pleasure driving this machine i love it

[kennethgrutter]

"From the front of this vehicle, to the back, there are frame rails, just like any other truck would have." Says Kerry McClure, chief engineer of the Honda Ridgeline. "The body itself-instead of being bolted onto that frame rail structure-is integrated so the floor panel sits on top of it, and it is all welded together." That's right, the Honda Ridgeline utilizes boxed frame rails in a "three bone, " or "Y bone " configuration, underneath the body. From a May 25, 2017 article in Motor Trend magazine. It also has pictures of the reinforced frame, and goes of to explain how the bed is reinforced at the back of the cabin, to prevent bending and stress under load. It also has a payload of up to 1538 lbs., which is as much or more than a lot of the competition. So go ahead, say "It's not a truck." It's all good. BTW, Justin Fuller, how does it drive? You covered all the tech, screens, specs, but didn't drive it? You should take it for a test drive. It rides like a car, works like a truck. Don't forget the I-VTEC, and SH-AWD. Also a pleasure to drive, not just great ride quality.

[Mike-hbpc]

A lot of work went into producing this video. One of the best I’ve seen. Good job. Thanks

[pmx]

This is almost always missed in Ridgeline reviews. Most midsized pickup trucks are 2k lbs tow from bumper. The Ridgeline is the only one that comes standard with an integrated 5k lbs towing kit on all trim levels. It also comes standard with a 7-pin connector, rather than a 4-pin.

The RTL-E and Black Edition trims have the upgraded transmission cooler for previous model years. I don’t know if that remains the case for 2022?

The full-time all wheel drive system can variably split torque up to 70% rear to 30% front or 70% front to 30% rear, which is best in class. Jeep’s Quadra-Trac can only split torque 52% rear to 48% front. The traction control system is best in class in heavy downpours or hydroplane avoidance. AWD is standard on all trim levels for 2022.

The Ridgeline is worst in class for ground clearance at 7+”, but you don’t really notice it due to the independent suspension at all 4-wheels. Rutted gravel roads for instance tend to “beach” the solid-axle differentials (that aren’t lifted), while the independent suspension instead offers a break-over angle driver-to-passenger that typically won’t exist on pickup trucks. The rear-wheel multi-link independent suspension does a good job of preventing trailer-sway.

The German built ZF transaxle features a 4.713 ratio 1st-gear and two Autobahn gears 8th & 9th @ 0.480 for the freeway. The differentials are 4.334, and it’s nice being able to downshift on the freeway without any worry of over-revving the engine. The 1st-gear vastly out performs the 2019 and earlier model years, and is low enough to avoid the transaxle overheating occasionally reported on older models. On long road trips from Atlanta to the beach I’ve briefly hit 36 MPG. From Atlanta to Pigeon Forge, TN I’ve briefly hit 27 MPG going through Anderson, NC.

Only the Gladiator competes with Ridgeline for Tri-Zone Climate Control.

The 4’x8’ lay-flat bed design between the tire wells is amazing. Not having to lift plywood an additional 6” to stack over the tire wells reduces the time working and you also gain an additional 6” of stacking more payload without exceeding the side panels. Also, the 1, 500 lbs (0.75 ton) payload rating really lets you utilize that best in class oversized 5’ small-box. Having the largest 5’ small-box somewhat makes up for not offering a 6’ long-box offering. The huge width of the cargo area in combination with the key fob weather proof trunk, and key fob locking tailgate all standard, makes the Ridgeline one of the most practical and functional midsized pickup trucks. The key fob tailgate switch is inside the glove compartment to activate/deactivate.

Hopefully, the new TrailSport Edition will be available for 2023 or 2024. So far, only the Passport offers the TrailSport Edition.

[mthomas]

I can't believe I hadn't discovered this review. This is definitely the best presentation of any video I've viewed. Great job.

[syrmark]

All in all a pretty good review. I would suggest really stressing that the RDW feature will also engage the brakes/slow the car down if you don’t respond. That’s why it’s on a separate switch. It’s easily my least favorite safety feature but it’s also easily disengaged. Keep in mind also- the car knows if your hands are or are not on the wheel- as in it will not “fight” you. And the touch screen.... First, you can adjust the touch sensitivity in the system settings.... Second, it’s a *touch* screen- You don’t poke or stab it with your finger.
People may say it’s not a “truck”. Is the Ridgeline a heavy duty work truck or tow vehicle? No. Is it a truck that will do what the vast majority of the public want a truck to do? Yes. It’s also hands down the most comfortable riding truck you’ll ever drive.

[michaelspiers]

I love how fast you talk, not wasting anyone's time, you gave me information quickly and concisely. I'm usually pulling my hair out watching these type of reviews, but yours had no fluff, no going out of your way trying to be funny, and you didn't make it all about YOU. You hit all your points quickly, and your info at a glance stuff to compare side by side is great .Excellent job.

[markdiloreto]

best review I have seen on the Ridgeline..nice job!! placed a deposit on this exact vehicle in Radiant Red RTL-E on April waiting!!!

[mcjust]

One thing you didn't mention was the drivers headroom. That's a big reason I chose mine over the Tacoma. I'm 6'2" and 270 lbs, so even bigger guy than you and I just didn't fit in a tacoma. My head would rub the headliner unless I laid the seat waaaay back. Also the tacoma was very hard to get into for me as I have some back problems. The passenger head room is also quite substantial for me. I don't fit well into other trucks rear seats. If you're looking at one of these, you cant go wrong. I enjoy driving mine and don't regret the purchase one bit. The ride is also very nice and the seats, for a big guy with back problems, are extremely comfortable.

[rickblue]

Today, my wife & I ordered a 2022 Ridgeline RTL-E for delivery in April. When it arrives, it will join our 2007 Ridgeline. We love everything about the Ridgeline--especially the way they 'ride'.

[toddtharp]

Great Review - *Disclaimer, I'm a biased owner of the '21 Black Edition... One thing you didn't really touch on in your cab space comparison was width. I'm 6'2" with a 36" inseam and the front leg room is fine for me, even though it's less than what the competition offers. What makes the Ridgeline great in this regard, is the width of the cabin. It feels so much more spacious inside than the rest of the competition. Coupled with the superior ride and driving dynamics, it's head and shoulders above the other midsize trucks in terms of comfort. It's been said over and over, but if you're honest about what your truck needs are, this one satisfies that vast majority of them better than the others. Honda reliability, Honda resale, and a really easy truck to live with on a daily basis.

[Realtheend]

Was already leaning towards 2022 RTL-E, but this vid sold me. Bought one a few days ago and love it!

[bryanvaughan]

Six weeks ago, I sold my 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. It was loaded with 6.2 V8
I took advantage of the unique supply chain situation we are currently having. I drove the truck two years and had a little under 49k miles on it. I sold it for $7000 less than I paid for it. The next buyer paid $4, 000 more than I bought the truck for new. It was a great truck, and I loved it, but I decided to economize and go with a midsized truck. I do a good deal of work for car dealerships, so I get to see what kind of traffic they have for warranty work. Toyota and Honda are by far the best . I never really cared for the Ridgeline, and as a matter of fact, I couldn't have told you what the new ones looked like. You just do not see many of them where I live, and I do a lot of work for our Honda dealership. The thing is, the Toyota dealership only had one new vehicle on the lot and a waiting list for a Tacoma with limited colors available. I went and sat in a Maverick that wasn't even for sale, but it felt small. I also don't trust the Eco Boost . I've seen many an F150 with the turbos going out at around 70 thousand miles. l like the GMC Canyon AT4, but again, the wait was longer than I wanted. A friend showed me the Hyundai Santa Cruz, but Hyundai has shut down their gas engine production plants. They are going all electric by 2025, so i didn't bother to test drive one. So, one of my dealers told me to go check out the Ridgeline, and I am happy I did. The dealership that I work for didn't have one, but my wife and I drove to a nearby city and drove a black edition Ridgeline . I've never driven a better riding truck/car. Call it what you want.
My wife is a little claustrophobic, so I wanted her to get a feel for the truck. We travel in my vehicle mostly, and she drives a 2018 Yukon. She loved the truck as well and said she'd probably drive it herself. I've read some reviews on here that gripe about cost. The black edition trim with bed cover and accessories is still 20 thousand below the Silverado. Granted, it's a step down in features, but this truck will do anything that I did with my Silverado. I own a small trailer to haul anything that will not fit in the Ridgeline. The bed size is not all that different than my Silverado was. Right now, I'm happy nothing was available in the other truck brands . I did go back to the Honda dealership I work for, and I'm currently three weeks out from getting a white Black Edition with everything accessory I wanted. Thanks for review the comparison features that were helpful.

[Milbok]

Great review for this Vehicle. This Truck is for a specific group of people that want a truck that drives like a car and is feature rich in a unique niche market. This is not a typical work truck. People need to understand that before they test drive or buy. This review is way better than anything I experienced at the dealership and help me decide on the purchase. RTL-E best trim selection unless you need the Black Edition Badge and other unnecessary cosmetic enhancements.I ended up getting a BAKFLIP MX4 tonneau cover and couldn't be happier with the results. It fills my needs for DIY around the house and taking out to the desert and N Arizona mountains. Nicely done Justin!

[SALESTIPSwithPROSALESGUY]

Probably the best review I’ve seen in years. Excellent comparisons. Well done.

[andrewglasmacher]

Great review! I like the on-screen comparisons making it easy to see the differences, and I love that you didn’t verbally read them all!

[brazeagle]

Man...what a video...thanks a lot, which EVERYONE could talk and be so assertive like you are, would make everyone's life easier.
I am just waiting for next year 2023 come out and will be buying one. I hope they will come out with a hybrid engine, that would be awesome.
Thanks again and THUMBS UP buddy.