Only 1 2022 Midsize Pickup Wins Best Truck 3 Times
When it comes to midsize and compact pickup trucks, the competition is heating up. Trucks like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have carved out their own compact truck segment. Small trucks continue to evolve as they become more versatile for real-world consumers.
The midsize pickup truck class features an updated Nissan Frontier that is second only to the historically successful Toyota Tacoma for this year’s first quarter sales. There are trucks like the Jeep Gladiator, the GMC Canyon, and the Chevy Colorado that all offer a diesel engine option. Plus, there are more trucks on the horizon like the upcoming Ram Dakota. But there’s only one 2022 midsize pickup that has won best truck from three different respected critics this year – the Honda Ridgeline.
What is the best midsize pickup truck?
In the 2022 medium truck lineup, the best midsize pickup truck is the 2022 Honda Ridgeline – according to three of the most trusted critics in the business. Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and U.S. News and World Report all agree that this truck ticks the most boxes. It’s a small, practical truck that’s actually nice to daily drive.
Drivers may not be able to rock crawl or tow heavy trailers with the 2022 Ridgeline, but this medium truck is perfect for just about anyone who wants a truck that’s both comfortable and versatile. Plus, the truck received updates in 2021. It now boasts a more rugged exterior style, standard AWD, and the all-new Honda Performance Development trim, which adds bronze wheels, more aggressive styling, and HPD badging all around. According to U.S. News, there are no new changes for the 2022 version.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Specs at a glance:
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6 engine; 280 horsepower & 262 pound-feet of torque
- Seating: Up to 5 passengers
- MPG: 18 city/ 24 hwy
- Drivetrain: Standard AWD
- Price: $36,890 – $44,320
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is a unibody underdog
Other midsize trucks in the segment include the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Jeep Gladiator. These all have something in common that excludes the 2022 Ridgeline. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is built on a unibody platform, while other midsize pickups are built in the traditional body-on-frame fashion.
While the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is favored by critics like Consumer Reports, it’s actually the worst-selling pickup truck so far in 2022. It’s almost too practical for consumers. That said, those who do buy this truck typically find it a satisfying midsize pickup to own and drive. Why get a midsize truck for off-roading when you can own a Ridgeline that shines as a daily driver and boasts the versatility necessary to haul dirt bikes or an ATV to the trailhead for off-road fun?
Do Honda Ridgelines have problems?
The Ridgeline isn’t a truck infamous for having problems. In fact, the Honda Ridgeline is a reliable truck that’s built to last past upwards of 200,000 miles on the odometer. Still, there are Honda Ridgeline pickup truck models to avoid such as the 2017 and 2018 model years.
Overall, it’s one of the best trucks on the market. So good, in fact, that it’s the one 2022 midsize pickup truck that won best truck three times this year. Edmunds, U.S. News and World Report, and Consumer Reports all agree that it’s a solid buy.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline toes the line between traditional pickup and comfortable daily driver. It offers amenities like in-bed audio and Standard AWD that we don’t see on other options in the class. These well-rounded qualities make it easy to see why critics agree that it’s one of the top pickup trucks available.
Click on the related link to see the only two Honda Ridgeline model years Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend, or read on below for a look at the Honda Ridgeline’s interior broken down by trim levels.
