2022 Honda Ridgeline

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline comes in four trims just like last year, the trims include Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition. The 2022 Ridgeline is only available in Crew Cab style and prices start at $36,890. The standard features list on offer is sparse and even though it gets a handful of optional packages it still isn’t the most customizable truck, compared to its competition or otherwise.

Optional packages include Function package, Honda Performance Development (HPD) package, Function+ package, and Utility package. The first package gets you a first-aid kit, trunk divider, and cargo net. The HPD package adds HPD badging, a unique front grille, fender flares, and bronze-color wheels. While the Utility package gets you running boards, roof rails, and crossbar.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is powered by the same 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine which produces 280 hp and a torque of 262 lb-ft. Also, all trims would come with standard AWD along with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. With this engine, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline hits 130 MPH top speed and can tow 5,000 pounds while the payload capacity is maxed out at 1,583 pounds.

The acceleration is pretty good as the 2022 Ridgeline goes from 0-60 MPH in 7.2 seconds, whereas a standing quarter-mile is completed in 15.6 seconds at a speed of 91 MPH. The new Ridgeline is one of the smoothest pickup trucks on the road. The truck also weighs relatively less than the industry standard, which improves its maneuverability and handling.

The Nissan Frontier has the best of power and torque figures, whereas the Ridgeline slots beneath it, producing slightly less power and torque. While the Toyota Tacoma with a naturally aspirated inline-4 engine under the hood is the least powerful pickup here. In terms of acceleration, there is no beating the turbocharged Ranger which does 0-60 MPH in a shade above six seconds beating the Ridgeline by 1.1 seconds.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline has an EPA estimated gas mileage of 18 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 21 MPG in combined conditions. The fuel tank is as large as 19.5 gallons, and together with the MPG figures, the midsize SUV-based truck has a really impressive 468 miles range on the highway and 351 miles range in the city.

Although the Ford Ranger has the best MPG figures, a smaller 18-gallon fuel tank marginalizes the range. The Nissan Frontier and the Ridgeline share similar gas mileage. While the Toyota Tacoma offers better gas mileage than them in the city but lower gas mileage on the highway.

The Ridgeline's interior is tops in its class in terms of practicality and comfort - Car and Driver

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline cabin has been carried over from last year. That being said, the cabin is simple and logically laid out. The dashboard uses a mix of soft-touch and hard-touch plastics. Overall the cabin has a car-like vibe and everything is well put together and feels solid.

Coming to the seats, they are comfortable and well-cushioned, whereas their placement in the cabin makes room for 5 average-sized adults without an issue. The infotainment system also remains the same as in the previous model with an 8-inch touchscreen display, whereas Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard.

Convenience features like tri-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel can also be seen as standard across all trims.

The bed is available in one standard size, unlike the other pickup trucks in this comparison. The bed is 64 inches long and 60 inches wide at the bed walls. The Ridgeline also has an extra 7.3 cubic feet of space available under the bed, which is a unique feature in its class.

Compared to the Ridgeline, the rivals offer better space in the front row seats but at the rear, the Ridgeline offers more space. That said, the highest cargo volume in the bed is offered by the Ford Ranger while the Nissan Frontier offers the least cargo volume. 

Interior Features:

• Heated and power-adjustable front seats
• Driver's seat memory function
• Fabric-trimmed seats
• Interior ambient lighting

As far as midsize pickups go, the Honda Ridgeline isn't the most rugged truck around - Edmunds

Honda revamped the Ridgeline’s exterior in 2021 for the first time because the former design was a little outdated for the new decade. And so, the 2022 Ridgeline doesn't get any changes on the outside. Starting with the overall styling, the Honda Ridgeline looks modern, more compact, and simple, as most of the Honda vehicles would appear to its customer base. Moreover, the current design has been heavily inspired by the new Honda Passport which gives it a more rounded and familiar look.

Upfront, the front grille has been upgraded and a new metal-finished cross member sits atop the front grille on the hood. New bumpers, fenders, and a new headlight design can be spotted. Approaching from the side, there is nothing new, but because of the new front designs, the sides also appear elevated and new. The rear does not have major upgrades except for the bumper. A choice between two 18-inch and 20-inch wheels also adds up to the aesthetics.

Since dimensionally the 2022 Ridgeline does not change, it remains the smallest in terms of length, wheelbase, and ground clearance compact to its rivals. Its 125.2-inch wheelbase doesn't allow it to have the most spacious cabin space in the segment, whereas the 7.6-inch ground clearance robs it of major off-roading duties.

Exterior Features:

• Automatic headlights
• LED headlights
• Sunroof
• Running boards (optional)
• Roof rails with roof rack (optional)

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is probably the safest compact pickup truck in the segment. To start with, the unibody construction is unique to the Ridgeline, and because of it, it has a lighter weight and thus better agility too. Moving towards safety features, Honda Sensing is a collection of smart and high-tech collision mitigation features, and it is standard on all trims. Also, since the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is a carryover model, the NHTSA rating of 5-stars and mostly positive IIHS ratings for the 2021 MY will be applicable this time too.

Safety Features:

• Vehicle stability assist
• Forward Collision Warning
• Lane-Departure Warning 
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind-spot Monitoring System
• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Ford Ranger

These two have been rivaling each other since their inception. Both of these perfectly fit the definition of a compact pickup truck because of their compact sizes and acceptable capacities. In fact, the powertrain on both of these vehicles is quite similar in terms of power and torque but vastly different in terms of how they perform in the real world. Ford's turbo-four motor is efficient, quick, and can tow more than the Ridgeline's V6 motor. 

While the Ranger is available in two different cab styles and different bed lengths, Honda does not offer anything as such on its lineup. Both of them might appear very simple from the outside, but the interiors of the Ridgeline have plenty of room, and the layout is more practical. Moreover, the drive quality is also superior to that of the Ford. But as an overall workhorse, the Ford Ranger remains a better pick.

2022 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

Even though both the trucks belong to Japanese car manufacturers they vastly differ in terms of capabilities on offer. The Tacoma is for those who are looking for a rugged and abuse-friendly workhorse that can also take care of off-roading. While the Ridgeline is more tamed down in its approach. It can handle a fair amount of off-roading but is more car-like with excellent driving dynamics. Thus making it very easy to live with daily driver.

But all things aren't bad for the Tacoma either,  it offers several trims choices and additional packages which can be had to meet one's requirements. While the Ridgeline with limited trims and optional package fairly restricts the customization choices you have at your disposal. Thus based on your needs we would suggest picking either of the two.

Though there might be lesser-priced and more rugged pickup trucks in the market, Honda’s 2022 Ridgeline is still the best value truck that one should consider for daily use. That is not all, with the HPD package equipped, one could also take it off-road. Although, the Japanese compact pickup truck is not as capable enough to haul or tow on-par with offerings from Ford or Toyota. That aside, with the 2021 model year's changes being carried over, the 2022 Honda Ridgeline is as capable and praise-worthy for the $36,890 starting price tag.