The Honda Ridgeline isn’t the best at hauling or towing, but it makes up for those deficits with excellent comfort and interior features. The second-generation Honda Ridgeline arrived in 2017, and the 2019 model has remained pretty similar to that design. There are six trim levels, so the features included vary. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of the Honda Ridgeline interior.

Pros of the Ridgeline’s interior

The Ridgeline is built on a unibody construction with a fully independent suspension, giving it improved comfort and great handling that feels more like an SUV than a truck. Edmunds says the “ride comfort is second to none as far as pickups go.” Kelley Blue Book agrees, reporting that the Ridgeline provides “comfort and driving familiarity of an SUV, with the flexible versatility of a midsize pickup truck.”

The Ridgeline, only available with a crew cab, has comfortable seating for five people. Cloth seats are standard for the RT and Sport. On four of the six trim levels (RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and Black Edition), the driver seat has 10-way power seats and the passenger seat has four-way power seats. These trims also come standard with heated, leather-trimmed seats and have a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. On the top two trims, the driver seat can save two position settings in memory. All Ridgelines feature rear seats that fold up for extra storage. They have a 60/40 split to lift up one seat or the whole row. Edmunds says the seats are comfortable, and the rear seats are set at a “pleasing angle.”

Another plus for the Ridgeline is that the cabin is larger than other midsize trucks. U.S. News & World Report calls it “one of the most upscale and spacious cabins in the class.” It’s also easy to get into since it has a lower step-up height. However, it is a little tight to get into the back seat due to smaller rear doors. The cabin has a nice appearance as well. Consumer Reports mentions that the Ridgeline “features the same nicely finished dashboard and door trim, high-quality switchgear, and comfortable seats [as the Honda Pilot].” Edmunds describes the Ridgeline as “nicely trimmed inside and out” with “family-friendly sophistication.”

Cons of the Ridgeline’s interior

The biggest negative that reviewers mentioned for the Ridgeline is the infotainment system. The top three trims come standard with an upgraded eight-inch touchscreen plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Edmunds says the “8-inch touchscreen is attractive, but the interface is terrible.” U.S. News & World Report agrees, calling the interface “confusing.” It has sliders instead of buttons or knobs and the touch zones are too small. The lower three trims come with a five-inch LCD screen with knobs. It’s easy to use but doesn’t include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The Ridgeline has a mixed review for its driver-assistive and safety technology. While it has a number of features, they’re mainly standard for higher-level trims. This is a negative since other trucks offer some of these features on lower-priced options. Features included on the RTL-E and Black Edition are the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. These two trims also have a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High-Beam Headlights. The RTL-T comes with only one driver-assistive technology feature, Honda LaneWatch, to help when changing lanes.

U.S. News & World Report points out that the Ridgeline “offers an abundance of driver assistance features; most compact trucks don’t come close to matching the Honda in that regard.” Edmunds adds that “some competitors are starting to offer this gear at much lower price points as standard equipment.” 

Does it have a nice interior?

Reviewers were in agreement that the Honda Ridgeline does have a very nice interior. It has a comfortable ride with nice seats and a quality cabin. While the infotainment system is problematic, the driver-assistive and safety features are available for buyers willing to pay for a higher trim level. And, while the release date for the 2020 Ridgeline is not available yet, Car and Driver found its interior to be “tops in its class in terms of practicality and comfort.”