Although pickup trucks have become extremely popular in the United States, one brand has consistently had problems selling its mid-size truck. Despite coming with a standard V6 and all-wheel drive, the Honda Ridgeline has never sold that well. But it does sell well enough that Honda is still offering it. 

Is the 2023 Honda Ridgeline a good truck?

On paper, the Honda pickup is a good truck. Each model comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 280 horsepower. Plus, with the Ridgeline, you get the benefits of an AWD system without having to pay extra. 

Many might view the Ridgeline as not being a real truck. And to a certain extent, that is true. Now in its second generation, this pickup is essentially a Honda Pilot with a truck bed. Because of that, Honda’s truck does have a more comfortable ride than some of the competition, like the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. 

How many Ridgelines does Honda sell?

According to Car Figures, Honda sold 32,312 Ridgeline trucks in 2022. And while that may not be as many units as brands like Ford and Ram move, it does prove that some folks are interested in a quirky mid-size truck. The Ridgeline offers things like an in-bed audio system. And, it can certainly feel more refined than its rivals. Even if it is not as capable. 

Perhaps as models like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz grow in popularity, folks will see that owning a unibody pickup truck might make sense. Especially considering the fact that many truck owners rarely haul or tow with their pickup. 

Is Honda going to redesign the Ridgeline?

It’s been a minute since the Ridgeline got a redesign, so it’s easy to imagine Honda giving it one in the near future. It is expected that the Honda Ridgeline will receive a mild-hybrid powertrain system at some point in 2024. And a full redesign will likely come after that. Maybe by then, consumers will realize that they are missing out on a decent truck by skipping the Ridgeline. 

In terms of price, the 2023 Ridgeline has a starting cost of $38,800. That price is higher than other mid-size trucks on the market, but you do get some unique features. An in-bed trunk is included as a dual-action tailgate. This means this mid-size truck does have legitimate utility. 

Maybe we are wrong about the 2023 Honda Ridgeline

Although the Honda Ridgeline might not be the most capable mid-size truck, it is still a pickup that is worthy of consideration. It offers modern safety tech, a comfortable ride, and enough power for a vehicle of its size. 

Over the years, the Ridgeline has received praise from automotive journalists and critics. As a mid-size pickup, it regularly falls at the top of most “best truck” lists. Maybe it’s time for consumers to revisit Honda’s pickup. You will be making fewer compromises in terms of on-road comfort. Plus, you’ll get a standard V6 engine and AWD.