2024 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 Honda Ridgeline

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline appeared more polished and buffed up compared to its predecessors. Years back, Honda updated the Ridgeline's styling with a new, bolder front end, larger dual exhaust outlets, and attractive wheels outfitted with aggressive tires, crafting a more rugged demeanor. Despite this, the optional HPD packages seemed oversized and mismatched for the vehicle's aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline showcased significant aesthetic improvements that aligned more with mainstream pickup designs, shedding some of its formerly polarizing design cues. The model introduced a blunt nose and tall hood, enhancing road presence, with new tailgate lettering and optional all-terrain tires on the TrailSport model adopting a gutsier look. Changes to the cabin design emphasized a more authentic truck-like ambiance, highlighted by a redesigned center console offering ample storage.

Both iterations maintained the model's recognizable stance but with slightly tweaked visual presentations aligning each with different consumer tastes—2023 appealing more to those appreciating subtle ruggedness and sophistication, and 2024 aiming at a balance between practical robustness and everyday usability.

Powering both the 2023 and 2024 models was the reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system. Both models allowed up to 70 percent of engine power to redirect to a single rear wheel, a notable feature for enhancing traction dynamically.

The 2023 Ridgeline exhibited competences primarily on tarmac, flaunting refined driving dynamics unusual for a pickup, thanks to its unibody construction and independent suspension. This design, however, limited its towing capacity to just 5,000 pounds and offered less-than-stellar off-road capability due to low ground clearance and limited angles for approach and departure.

On the other hand, the 2024 Ridgeline maintained the same powertrain and towing capabilities but experienced slight enhancements in off-road demeanor on specific trims like the TrailSport. Despite these modest improvements, the model still prioritized on-road comfort over rugged terrain prowess.

The 2023 and 2024 Honda Ridgeline models were champions of everyday utility and comfort, cleverly designed to compensate for their moderate towing and off-roading credentials. Inside, both vehicles featured copious storage solutions and comfortable seating, with the older model sporting a slightly outdated but still functional interior inherited from the Honda Passport.

Cargo-wise, both models boasted a 64-inch bed and a unique 7.3 cubic-foot trunk integrated into the bed's floor—a standout feature among pickups. This lockable and weatherproof trunk was ideal for secure, versatile storage needs, underscoring the Ridgeline's blend of pickup utility with SUV-like convenience.