One thing all truck owners have in common is that they appreciate vehicles that are dependable. Reliability is a major reason for people to buy their first truck, and it’s something that keeps them coming back whenever they’re in the market for a new vehicle. And while full-size trucks are the stereotypical tough trucks that can handle anything, today’s midsize trucks have become increasingly dependable as well. Recently, Car and Driver reviewed the Honda Ridgeline in terms of its reliability. Let’s take a look at how it did.

The Honda Ridgeline is the epitome of practical

The Ridgeline has an unfortunate reputation for being less of a truck than other comparable trucks. It’s smaller, has less towing capacity, and are built with a car-like unibody versus the traditional body-on-frame construction of other trucks. But that doesn’t mean the Ridgeline isn’t up to most of the tasks that midsize truck owners need it to handle. It still has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and will more easily handle a small boat or a couple ATVs.

The Ridgeline shines in all areas of practicality. It’s the perfect size to fit comfortably into the midsize truck category without pushing to close to full-size territory like a lot of other technically-midsized trucks on the market. The interior is roomy enough to comfortably seat a family with room for storage under the seats. Autoblog said of the Ridgeline, “It’s the truck you actually need, not the one you want,” and we couldn’t agree more.

How did it rank for reliability?

Car and Driver tested the Ridgeline over 40,000 miles. In that time, it averaged 20 mpg, which is great for a truck of its size. It handled towing up to about 4,000 pounds that they happened to use, with good gas mileage there as well. They found an issue with a slightly “squishy” brake pedal, but it’s to be assumed that’s just because of their model’s slightly worn tires. The biggest complaint their test drivers had over the 40,000 miles driven was when they added an after-market bed cap that didn’t look quite right. That’s not too shabby.

Where the Ridgeline excels is in the little tasks. If you need a truck that is mainly for everyday driving with the occasional weekend camping adventure or trip to the hardware store for some lumber, then the Ridgeline is everything you could possibly need. Where it misses is in the extra things that many truck owners look for – a bigger size, a commanding and tough presence on the road, and a beefy appearance. If those things are important to you, then the Ridgeline probably isn’t up your alley.

The Honda Ridgeline is all about the basics

While you wouldn’t be out of line to call the Ridgeline basic, that’s not to say that it doesn’t have its own creature comforts. It has a flat load floor, something that not many other midsize trucks offer. You can still get the tech that a lot of today’s top trucks offer like a touchscreen control panel with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a heated steering wheel, a backup camera, and interior climate control.

The Honda Ridgeline is far superior to its competitors in terms of reliability. It will get you where you need to go, has enough power for the occasional towing job, and has good enough fuel economy to make owning a truck worth it in the long run. When you need something practical, durable, and reliable, look no further than this truck. Again, while it may not be the truck you want, it’s definitely the truck you actually need.