Confirmed: A Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Is Coming
When Honda announced the Pilot TrailSport SUV, it seemed only natural that the Ridgeline midsize truck would get the same treatment. And now, the brand has confirmed that there will be a Honda Ridgeline TrailSport. Meaning this pickup truck could finally be getting the ruggedness that it deserves.
Is the Honda Ridgeline good off-road?
In terms of being an off-road truck, the Honda Ridgeline has never really been the top pick. That isn’t to say it can’t handle life on the trail. There are plenty of folks out there who modify their Ridgelines in order to handle some extra adventure.
The problem is that the Ridgeline does not offer off-road chops from the factory. At least if you are planning to tackle some more complex trails.
Now, it is expected that this Honda truck will get a new TrailSport trim, and that might help this pickup get the respect that it deserves. As you can see in the video below, the 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport is a legitimately capable SUV.
The 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport is coming
According to Car and Driver, Honda has confirmed plans to expand its TrailSport line. Making a Ridgeline TrailSport means that this midsize truck will probably get a slight lift, skid plates, and improved performance in off-road situations.
We don’t really know all of the specifics yet, as Honda has been quiet about the future of its truck. One thing we do know is that there will not be a hybrid Ridgeline option for the 2024 model year. But seeing the Pilot’s new powertrain put in it would not be surprising.
The new 3.5-liter V6 in the Pilot makes 285 horsepower and 262 pound-foot of torque. That is only a power increase of five hp, but overall the engine benefits from better packaging. It’s also gone from a single-overhead-cam setup to a double-overhead-cam. This means the engine can get more air into it.
Does Honda make a truck?
The Ridgeline truck has been Honda’s take on a pickup for some time. Although it has consistently won praise from journalists and industry insiders, that has not really translated to success in terms of sales. The Honda Ridgeline is usually at the bottom when it comes to annual sales numbers.
That said, maybe the 2024 Honda Ridgeline with a new TrailSport trim could help this truck get more attention from consumers. Even though we won’t get a hybrid Ridgeline, I still think adding some more ruggedness would help this midsize pickup.
We don’t know when the 2024 Ridgeline will hit dealerships, and we don’t have a lot of confirmed specs at this time. But it certainly feels like a time for a redesigned Ridgeline, not just a basic facelift.
Other things we are waiting on include the MSRP. It will probably be priced a little higher than the current model, which is one of the more expensive midsize trucks on the market. But you do get things like standard all-wheel drive and a V6 engine.
