The updated 2024 Honda Ridgeline brings a few notable quality-of-life changes and the TrailSport trim.
While it’s not the full on generational change we saw with the fourth-generation Honda Pilot, the automaker is bringing some notable changes to keep its steady-selling Ridgeline fresh. As you probably spotted with the meatier tires, orange badging and Diffused Sky Blue paint scheme, the headline of today’s news is the ruggedized TrailSport trim. Beyond that, the rest of the lineup gets some technology updates and “Ridgeline” now boldly stamped across the tailgate.
This time around, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline brings four trims to the mix. There’s still the base Sport as the least expensive option, followed by the RT-L, then the TrailSport and the Black Edition. The TrailSport, specifically, brings some extra underbody protection (including the oil pan) as well as 18-inch alloy wheels and General Grabber A/T tires.
The actual ground clearance of the TrailSport model is virtually the same here, though Honda says it has gone through suspension tuning, softening up the springs and shocks damping, and tweaking the i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system to handle off-road-specific conditions. To that end, you even get terrain modes in the TrailSport that better set the truck up for whichever environment you want to tackle.
Under the hood, the Ridgeline lineup still gets the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as before. It still puts out a respectable, if not hair-raising 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, routing the available power through a 9-speed automatic transmission. Since we’re not talking about a complete overhaul here, the TrailSport gets a 1,477-pound payload capacity (other trims can heal about 100 pounds more), as well as a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, same as the crossovers on which Honda bases the Ridgeline.
Like before, Honda still builds the 2024 Ridgeline midsize trucks in Lincoln, Alabama, alongside the Pilot and Passport.
What about those tech changes?
Inside, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline isn’t radically different than its predecessor. That said, you still get an updated (and standard) 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, as well as a 9-inch infotainment display. Honda did work on making the system snappier by way of a faster processor, and you can connect up to it using either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The more impactful change, though, boils down to ergonomics. You still get a push-button transmission, like it or not, but the new center console brings a bigger armrest, cavernous storage and absolutely massive cupholders, each capable of holding a decent-sized water bottle. It’s almost like Honda’s aiming this truck at a certain, outdoorsy demographic. The Ridgeline does sport enough space to hold two phones side-by-side, though only one is capable of wireless charging at a time.
The 2024 Honda Ridgeline comes standard with the Honda Sensing driver assistance suite, while the TrailSport also gets power-folding mirrors and the Black Edition gets an upgraded audio system.
Like before, the HPD package is still available for the 2024 Ridgeline, adding in a sportier look if the TrailSport isn’t your thing. Specifically, you get unique wheels, an HPD-specific grille treatment, blacked-out fender flares and decals on the bedsides. Pricing for the updated models is not available yet, but they should start hit dealer lots in December.
Tommy and I had a chance to check out the revamped and ruggedized Ridgeline — you can watch that below:
