The midsize truck market only has one unibody vehicle, the Honda Ridgeline which drives differently from the rest.

Instead of a rough and rugged ride, like other trucks, the Ridgeline has a smooth ride resembling a crossover SUV. If you’re looking for a truck that’s great in traffic, this Honda could be the right model for you to drive. The smooth, SUV-like drive of this truck means you’re giving up some items in the process. Let’s see if this truck can fit into your lifestyle.

It’s Not Underpowered, but Not Overpowered Either

The power for the Ridgeline comes from a familiar place. The 3.5-liter V6 engine attached to a nine-speed automatic transmission is the same one found in the Passport and Pilot SUVs. You’ll receive 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque with the Ridgeline. Every model has full-time AWD and returns 18 city/24 hwy mpg. The tow rating is 5,000 pounds, while the payload number is 1,580 pounds. The question you’ll ask is whether that’s enough for you or not? If you want powertrain options, more payload, or greater towing numbers, other midsize models have what you want.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline Offers the Smoothest Ride in the Class

You can’t argue with the ride quality of this Honda truck. No other midsize truck uses a four-wheel independent suspension layout or unibody construction. These items work together to bring you the smoothest driving experience you’ll find in the truck market. The ride is firm but stable over bumps, making it easy for you to take this truck on the roads every day. While the ride is smooth, you won’t find the same off-road prowess offered in a Chevy ColoradoZR2. The Ridgeline is a good option when you want a truck that handles your commute well and does off-road stuff sometimes.

This Honda Has a Unique Truck Bed

Most truck beds require a bedliner to protect the paint, not the Ridgeline. The construction of this bed gives you capability as soon as you drive it off the lot. You’ll see an in-bed trunk, a lockable storage compartment under the floor of the bed. This space has a drain plug, making it the perfect spot for your wet and dirty clothes. Of course, you can clean the in-bed trunk and use it as a cooler for the drinks you’re bringing to the party.

Not only does the Honda Ridgeline have an in-bed trunk, but it also has a dual-action tailgate. This tailgate has hinges on the driver’s side to open sideways when you need to get closer to the cargo you’ve got in the bed. When you don’t need to swing it open, the tailgate functions the same as any traditional tailgate in the industry. This feature brings you the versatility you want in a midsize truck.

Enjoy the Comfort of the Cabin

Five people can fit comfortably inside the Ridgeline. The front bucket seats are large and positioned well to give you easy access and a great place to sit. The rear seats are raised in a stadium-style fashion to provide your rear passengers with better visibility during your drive. This makes for a comfortable cabin where everyone can relax. This Honda has you covered when you need storage space in the cabin. There’s room to put some items under the rear seats. When you don’t have passengers in the rear, these seats flip up to open up more cargo room for you. Most of the other trucks in this class don’t come close to the level of storage and comfort you find in the Ridgeline.

Excellent Safety Features fromHonda

The Honda Sensing suite of features is part of what you’ll find in the Honda Ridgeline. This package brings you the alerts and warnings needed to avoid trouble on the road. This package includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane-centering steering
• Automatic high beams
• Blind-spot warning
• Rear cross-traffic alerts

These items make you feel secure when you drive this midsize truck. Some models, such as the Toyota Tacoma, offer similar safety packages, but others leave several items off the list.

The Ridgeline is Well-Equipped

Although the starting price of the Ridgeline is one of the highest in its class, this truck does dome well-equipped. The Sport model is the starting point and it offers:

• Active noise cancellation
• Trailer hitch
• Tr-zone automatic climate controls
• Keyless starting
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• AWD
• Honda Sensing
• Adaptive cruise control
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 7-speaker audio system

Higher trims bring more to the mix. Step up one spot to the RTL model and you have:

• Leather-trimmed interior
• Heated front seats

The RTL-E adds more with:

• Navigation system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• 540-watt sound system
• In-bed audio system

Finally, the Black Edition brings you:

• Black leather upholstery
• Black 18-inch alloy wheels
• Red ambient LED interior lighting
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel

One options package is offered, which is the HPD Package. This package gives you running boards and black roof rails with crossbars. The HPD Package is available for all trim levels.

Should You Drive the Honda Ridgeline?

The burning question is whether or not you should drive this truck. If you’re looking for a midsize truck with a plethora of unique qualities, the Ridgeline could be the right truck for you. This is the only unibody truck in the class, it has an in-bed trunk, and it drives like an SUV.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for higher towing numbers, more powertrain options, and better off-road packaging, other midsize trucks give you all of these things. The Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 are all off-road-oriented trucks that can take you deep in the wilderness.

Is the Honda Ridgeline right for you to drive? That’s a question you have to answer, but if you want to see what it has to offer, head over to your local Honda dealer today. Take a test drive and imagine your life with the Ridgeline.