2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport Review and Off-Road Test

We check out all the features then give the new 2024 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport a road and off-road test. Can this succeed where the Passport Trailsport failed?

#honda #offroad #hondaridgeline

CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Features
08:12 - Road Driving
18:46 - Off-Road Test

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[ajmedeiros]

Such a great vehicle. Anyone that’s ever owned one loves them. A lot of 1st gen’s still out there beat up still in great shape and very versatile

[jfinley]

As a Ridgeline owner, you should do the off-road test with the transmission in Sport mode. In regular, the transmission starts out in 2nd gear. In sport mode, it starts in true 1st gear. The true first gear is much lower ratio and i use that when i am in situations where i need to go as slow as possible. I think this would make it easier for you to go slow. Then if needed, i will use the paddle shifter to select first gear. Once you use the paddle shifter in sport mode, it switches to Sequential mode and will only shift via the paddles. This would allow you to stay in 1st gear.

[germanjimenez]

I'm not an expert on 4WD, but I believe Honda designed this vehicle for those who are no longer doing serious off-road. My first 4WD was my Titan when it first came out. Now that I'm older. I asked myself, "Do I need all that hype technology for a 4WD?" As you get older, you do less off-road. So, I believe Honda is targeting those that still want the feeling of off-road and comfort. I call it soft off-road for senior citizens. Lol. So, I don't think Honda is behind. I believe they are marketing those, that are having problems letting go the off-road, that still want that feeling of off-road with comfort. I hope I'm making sense. That's my opinion.

[glennv]

I watch a lot of auto YouTube videos but your extensive knowledge takes the viewer to a new level. I currently own a new F150 4X4 V8 but previously owned a 2022 RTL-E and I’ll probably return to a Ridgeline (Trailsport) soon. I miss the easy entrance/exit and car-like driving manners. Thank you for this excellent video.

[BS-zgdn]

You keep mentioning HP ratings--new 24 Tacoma is 278 not over 300. Not sure why the hate for the Honda V6--it is a smooth competent engine that will probably run for a very long time. Honda doesn't have a 65k version of the Ridgeline with 350 HP and dedicated off road version but how many people EVER take their truck off road? Just leased my second Ridgeline. It is the perfect truck for me I don't tow or haul huge amounts, but it is comfortable EVERY day. Great road trip vehicle. The trunk in bed is amazing and dual tailgate makes loading super easy. Congrats on the Ranger Raptor seems to be a great truck and a "good value", but we all can't afford one nor do we need it.

[killjoyken]

I just bought a new Trailsport and got $3500 off. At the Toyota dealership there was a $6000 markup on all Tacomas. If you're going to spend most of your time on road like me the Trailsport is the best midsize truck on the market. The slightly softer suspension is great for today's terrible roads.

[stevepatch]

I wish everyone would stop focusing on the off-road capabilities of the Ridgeline it’s not made for off-road it’s made for on road comfort and getting through snowy roads.
The Tacoma is 100x better off-road than the Ridgeline and the Ridgeline is 100x better on road.
I’ve owned 3 Tacoma’s and now I have a Ridgeline and it is night and day difference for everyday driving, the trunk is awesome and cabin space is a huge improvement.

[aaronbehindbars]

Well, the darn thing plodded right through the off-road course despite its lower clearance. Just goes to show that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

I've had my 2021 base Sport trim for nearly 3 years and can't find much about to complain. It's perfect for a boring suburbanite like me. I realized after many years that trucks are garbage to drive except for long highway runs, so I found that a crossover with a bed is a much more pleasant experience. My wife even likes driving it, which probably proves it isn't a real truck.

On the cruise control. You just need to toggle between ACC and standard cruise mode while the system is active. You press and hold the distsnce interval button and the indicator will switch from ACC to Cruise.

[someonenamedtyler]

I never liked the first gen ridgeline but when It was redesigned for 2017, I really appreciated where they were going with it. No, it's not as capable as a body on frame truck. I instead look at as a car with a bed that can tow. Suddenly it feels incredibly capable for what it is. The ridgeline is a good mix of what everyone needs. The ford version (maverick) is proof that a car with a bed is all that most people need. All that said, honda missed the mark on the trials port. I expected a lot more. Even the HPD package looks more offroad ready

[allied]

I have a 2013 ridgeline sport it’s got 120, 000 miles trucks been flawless. I love that it’s front wheel or all wheel drive my f150 would slide out on me all the time in the rain. The ridgeline you never have to worry about that and it’s great in the snow. I have 3 kids truck does everything I need and more love it

[jasonsong]

To go to standard cruise, you press and hold follow distance button and it will toggle between adaptive and standard cruise control.

[rightlanehog]

Ryan, For years before unibody pickups were popular, the Ridgeline was persistent. 😉

[frebnewman]

Ugh - no hybrid and no turbo. The V6 is just great!

[ericg]

I don't get the desire for hybridization and turbos - I realize that a hybrid has immediate extra torque down low, but I'll take a normally aspirated V-6 every time for longevity and reliability.
The new Tacoma has 278 hp on their new turbocharged models (and 224 on the base trim, I believe) unless you move up to the TRD Pro at $65k. No thanks, especially when the new turbos are already failing and will be expensive to repair when it happens out of warranty.
If I'm spending $65k, I'm buying a full-size truck, likely an F150, which Granger Ford routinely sells at $10-14k off MSRP.
The Ridgeline has a 3.5L V-6 that puts out 280 hp and has proven to be very reliable over time.
It also routinely sells for $3k-$5k below MSRP at dealerships close to me, making it basically a $40k truck. If I need a few inches more of ground clearance, I can always add a lift kit.

[izegrimcreations]

I just picked up a 2024 Ridgeline on a great deal. The best part of this video is your taste in music. I approve ;)

[bananarobotoverlord]

A factory lift and some real skid plates would transform the Ridgeline.

[rondail]

Ryan, as stated by someone else. Sport mode will start out in 1st gear. In normal, the transmission starts in higher 2nd gear.

[ZenEndurance]

I love the interior width (elbow room) in the Ridgeline. Almost like a full size truck. Just wish there was a version with a LOT more ground clearance.

[r.j.bedore]

I still don't understand why Honda doesn't make a V8 engine. They consistently make such good inline 4 cylinder engines that it just seems logical to stick two of them together. Obviously that would require a new block, but it could share pistons, one cylinder head, and all of the valve train parts with the 4 cylinder it was based on. For example, you could have a K-series based 4.0l, 4.6l, or 4.8l V8 that could be either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. Or you could base a V8 off of the new 1.5l turbo engine that's in the Civic, which would get you a 3.0l twin-turbocharged V8 with 350+ horsepower that would probably sip fuel while cruising. The Ridgeline with a small V8 like that would be kind of amazing.

[jasonsong]

Personally, after owning an FJ Cruiser and recently drove a 4Runner, I am glad that I choose the Passport. The ride is just so much better on paved roads. Sure the FJ and 4Runner will do offroad better, but for someone who doesn't do much offroading only driving in deep ish snow a couple times a year, the trade off going to a body on frame vehicle is just not worth it.