2022 Honda Ridgeline Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision
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Americans are always known for their love affair with pickup trucks, thanks to their toughness and flexibility. But if you’re looking for a truck that’s a bit different, the Honda Ridgeline is an interesting choice.
For starters, it’s the only midsize pickup truck built like a car (what experts call “unibody” construction), unlike most trucks that are built more like rugged frames (known as “body-on-frame”). This unique way of building the Ridgeline means it drives more smoothly and comfortably than traditional pickup trucks.
If you’re interested in the Ridgeline, you’ll want to know its benefits and drawbacks. So today, we rounded up the 2022 Honda Ridgeline pros and cons to help out buyers like you. Let’s get to it.
What We Love: 2022 Honda Ridgeline Pros
Here are some reasons why a 2022 Honda Pilot could be an excellent choice for you.
Robust Standard Engine
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission designed to offer a smooth gear-shifting experience while delivering ample power. This model also comes with all-wheel drive as standard, ensuring a stable driving experience, especially on diverse road conditions.
In addition, the Ridgeline’s engine is designed to offer a quieter, more refined ride, which is a departure from the more rugged feel of traditional pickups.
SUV-Like Road Manners
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline has a unique ride quality that distinguishes it from conventional trucks, thanks to its fully independent rear suspension. This feature enables the Ridgeline to drive more like an SUV, delivering a smoother, more sophisticated driving experience. Additionally, the independent suspension at each corner significantly reduces body roll, which is a prevalent concern in many trucks, thereby improving the Ridgeline’s stability and comfort.
Moreover, the Ridgeline’s suspension competently handles road bumps and irregularities, providing a smooth, controlled ride. Its capability to smoothly navigate rough surfaces extends to confident cornering, ensuring the truck remains stable and secure through turns.
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Improved Exterior Styling
Another central selling point of the 2022 Ridgeline is that it benefited from a recent redesign by Honda. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline nails its bold styling, particularly in the Black Edition. This version boasts unique black accents and 18-inch alloy wheels, giving it a strong and commanding presence. The latest model builds on the 2021 redesign, which aimed to move away from its previous similarity to the Honda Pilot SUV. The updated design features a more angular grille and a new bumper.
Utility to the Roof
If utility is your priority, the 2022 Ridgeline has much of it in spades. This practicality is evident in its 5-foot, 4-inch composite-lined bed, which is equipped with a versatile dual-action tailgate and stainless-steel hooks, enhancing its utility.
Another unique feature of the Ridgeline is the 7.9-cubic-foot in-bed waterproof trunk, doubling as a lockable storage or cooler, which is great for outdoor adventures. Additionally, the Ridgeline includes a 400-watt AC inverter and an optional in-bed speaker system, perfect for tailgate parties or camping.
A Safe Pickup Truck
As is typical of Honda vehicles, the 2022 Ridgeline boasts impressive safety ratings and features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, including five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given the Ridgeline “Good” scores in all crash categories, except for the passenger-side small overlap front test, which received an “Acceptable” rating.
Standard safety features include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- A road departure mitigation system
HOW LONG DO HONDA RIDGELINES LAST?
Buyers interested in the Honda Ridgeline must consider all their options before making a final purchase. For example, you might wonder - how long do Honda Ridgelines last?
What We Don’t Love: 2022 Honda Ridgeline Cons
You can’t have a 2022 Honda Ridgeline pros and cons without mentioning its weaknesses, which are:
Not Very Fuel Efficient
Unfortunately, the 2022 Ridgeline could undoubtedly benefit from better fuel economy. As rated by the EPA, this Ridgeline model year achieves 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. While that may seem fine, it becomes an issue compared to its competitors.
For instance, the Chevrolet Colorado, particularly its diesel variant, boasts up to 30 mpg on the highway. Another competitor, the Ford Ranger, also surpasses the Ridgeline with its more efficient 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway ratings. The Ridgeline may not be your best pick if you’re a cost-conscious consumer.
Limited Ruggedness and Tow Rating
If you plan to haul heavy things with your truck, you’ll probably need to look elsewhere. While the 2022 Ridgeline offers good performance, you can’t say the same with its ruggedness and towing capacity.
It has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs, which is lower than several other midsize trucks. For instance, the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado offer higher towing capacities, with the Colorado’s diesel variant capable of towing up to 7,500 lbs. This limited towing capacity and unibody construction mean the Ridgeline is less suited for heavy-duty tasks and challenging off-road conditions than traditional body-on-frame trucks.
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Single Engine Option
Although we’ve praised the Ridgeline’s robust engine, buyers are still stuck to a single-engine option. The 2022 Honda Ridgeline only offers one engine option: a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 horsepower. This is quite different from its competitors, such as the Chevrolet Colorado, which provides various engine options ranging from a fuel-efficient four-cylinder to a powerful V6 and a diesel option with high torque. On the other hand, the Ford Ranger’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides a good balance between power and fuel economy.
2022 Honda Ridgeline Pros and Cons: Is This Truck for You?
That wraps up our 2022 Honda Ridgeline pros and cons guide. True enough, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is not for the hardcore truck buyer. The Ridgeline is not for you if you prefer the traditional truck styling and construction and better towing capacity. On the other hand, if you want a unique approach to midsize pickup trucks with SUV-like driving dynamics, the 2022 Ridgeline is a solid pick.
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