Looks like a truck and drives like a crossover. The Honda Ridgeline has long walked the fine line between crossover and pickup truck with its smooth ride, roomy interior, and cargo bed. This has helped and hurt it in many ways, as true truck buyers think it’s weak but families who need the occasional truck find it the perfect blend.
Capable but lacks towing capacity. Though it’s almost as much a crossover as it is a pickup truck, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is far more capable than it gets credit for. Its bed is plenty large for light-duty use, and it has innovative features like the built-in trunk/cooler and dual-hinged tailgate.
On top of its capability, being based on a crossover means it offers a superior ride and handling. Plus, with 36.7 inches of rear legroom and comfortable front seats, the Ridgeline will haul with plenty of comfort to go along.
Where the 2022 Honda Ridgeline takes its biggest hit is towing. It shares the Pilot’s 5,000-pound towing capacity. Folks needing more may prefer the Chevy Colorado (7,700 pounds), Nissan Frontier (6,720 pounds), Ford Ranger (7,500 pounds), or Toyota Tacoma (6,800 pounds).
Outstanding technology, at a premium. The base Sport trim comes very well-equipped with high-end tech, such as an eight-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, LED headlights, and more. On the safety side, it’s equally impressive with standard automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and adaptive cruise control.
While these standard features are great, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline starts from $38,115 (destination fees included). Buyers seeking something more affordable may prefer the Colorado ($26,630), Tacoma ($27,915), or Frontier ($29,015). While these cheaper pickups may give up a few features, they all have standard touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Standard all-wheel drive, but fuel economy suffers. Every 2022 Honda Ridgeline comes standard with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive. This gives it a leg up on the competition, which all offer four-wheel drive only as options. Plus, the base engines in the Colorado, Canyon, and Tacoma are underwhelming.
The fuel economy is very average in the 2022 Ridgeline at 18 miles per gallon city, 24 highway, and 21 combined. While this aligns with its four-wheel-drive competitors, it struggles against the diesel-fueled Colorado and Canyon, which deliver up to 30 mpg highway.
Final thoughts. The 2022 Ridgeline is the perfect family truck, thanks to its roomy interior, comfortable ride, premium tech, and crossover-lie interior. However, it comes up a little short as a truck in some areas. Its lack of thriftier engine options also pulls away from its potential as a family car. The lack of an off-road-oriented TrailSport model could disappoint shoppers considering Honda is adding the trim in the Passport and Pilot SUVs.
Buyers seeking a more truck-like demeanor and capabilities will find this in the Colorado, Canyon, Ranger, Tacoma, and Frontier. Alternatively, new compact trucks like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz may offer a carlike ride at a lower price point. In the case of the 2022 Maverick, Ford is even offering a standard gas-electric hybrid engine boasting a fuel economy rating of up to 42 mpg in city driving.
