2025 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport

Whenever someone tells me that they are interested in buying a truck, I always recommend the Honda Ridgeline to them, especially if they say they aren’t going to do much truck stuff. That means that they won’t be towing very often if at all, and they most likely won’t be going off road. Chances are, they’ll likely only use the truck bed for hauling large cargo.

In that case, the Honda Ridgeline is perfect because it offers all the truck-like capability, while maintaining a composed ride, which is what most drivers want. Sure, there are formidable competitors like the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, but those trucks have a rougher ride and are meant for more serious truck activities. I recently spent a week in the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport and was impressed with its on-road manners and off-road-ready features. From here on out, if anyone is looking for a truck with a little more grit, this is the trim level I would recommend.

Exterior

From the outside, the Ridgeline Trailsport sets itself apart from the other three trim levels with a distinctive front grille and high-clearance bumpers, which give it a bold, tough look that’s perfect for off-road escapades. The Trailsport trim level also comes with equipped with a set of all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels for more grip. There is even underbody cladding to keep all the important parts protected when traversing rough terrain.

However, Trailsport features aside, the Ridgeline is different from other trucks in the class with its dual-action tailgate. The tailgate folds down like every other truck, but it can also swing out from the side to assist with loading larger cargo. The Ridgeline even has a trunk in the form of an in-bed storage area that measures 7.4 cubic feet. The storage area is good for out-of-sight storage and to be used as a cooler, there is even a drain plug so you can drain the water out after the ice melts.

Interior

The Honda Ridgeline may be a truck, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not comfortable. Its interior is functional and inviting with its durable leather seats that orange stitched and adorned with orange Trailsport logos sprinkled throughout the cabin.

A large infotainment screen sits in the middle of the dashboard and everything is easy to reach from the driver’s seat. In terms of space, the front seat area is spacious and accommodating, and the rear seat area offers a good amount of head and leg room. There is also plenty of storage cubbies around the cabin and the rear seat bottoms can be folded up to store tall cargo.

Drivetrain and Driving Impressions

Every Honda Ridgeline is powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that is connected to a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that gives the truck maximum traction no matter what kind of terrain you drive it on. The Trailsport trim level is fitted with an off-road-ready suspension that allows the truck to articulate itself smoothly over uneven pavement.

On the road, the Ridgeline felt well-mannered and composed over all the road imperfections I drove it on. Unlike the Tacoma, the Ridgeline’s ride felt soft over bumps and dips, but it gripped the road well under tight cornering. The truck’s steering is also not very truck-like, in the sense that it’s direct and well-weighted. There’s also plenty of power from the V6, which launches the Ridgeline off the line quickly and makes passing slower cars on the freeway a breeze. I only took the Ridgeline on some mild off-road terrain, but it handled it well. I would imagine that it’s a great on tougher roads as well, but definitely not rock crawling.

As for fuel efficiency, the EPA estimates that the Ridgeline can get up to 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. During my week with the truck, I managed to average 19.1 mpg, which is slightly better than the EPA’s combined estimate. And for anyone who likes to tow, the Ridgeline can pull up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Technology

The Ridgeline Trailsport is filled with all the technology you need, including a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s connected to seven speakers and subwoofer. Altogether, the system produces 215 watts, which is enough to bring any song a vibrant sound, but not as crisp as the Bose sound systems offered in other Honda models. There is also a wireless phone charging dock, on-board navigation, and satellite radio to keep everyone entertained, charged up, and going in the right direction.

Safety

Like every other Honda model, the Ridgeline is filled with plenty of safety features. Every Ridgeline comes equipped with a host of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and blind-spot monitoring. These systems keep the truck on the road and in between the lines, without being too sensitive during their operation.

Summary

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport is perfect for anyone that is looking for a rugged truck with the driving characteristics akin to those of a minivan. The Ridgeline is comfortable, but can also do plenty of truck things without feeling to rough or stiff. Its starting price of $40,150 gives you a lot for the money, and I would say that the Trailsport trim level is worth the extra $5,000, considering it comes with a tougher look, better tires, and a sportier suspension.

Although competitors like the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier are more rugged, the Ridgeline bridges the gap between a pickup and civilized SUV. All things considered, you can probably see by now why I always recommend the Ridgeline to everyone. After all, let’s face it, most people don’t do truck stuff all too often.