2020 Honda Ridgeline vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

When the 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrived for evaluation, it was immediately clear there were some design issues. My 12-year-old daughter pointed out that the vehicle looked like a minivan in the front and a pickup truck in the back. If even a child, who barely pays attention to test vehicles, noticed the split personality of the design, Honda had an image problem. Trucks are supposed to look rugged and tough, but the Ridgeline wasn't hitting that mark. The original Ridgeline had a unique yet odd look, and with the second-generation, Honda seemed to have overcorrected. The design changes for 2020 included a new nine-speed automatic transmission with electronic controls, Honda Sensing advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), and an upgraded infotainment system. The lineup for 2020 was simplified to Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims with a starting price of $33,900.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline made significant strides in improving its aesthetics. Understanding that styling sells vehicles, Honda revamped the front-end design and added a new rear bumper with exposed dual exhaust outlets. The tires got a more aggressive shoulder tread, and new wheel designs debuted in black, dark gray, and bronze. The addition of the Honda Performance Division (HPD) Package brought oversized fender trim, a unique grille design, and bold cargo bed stickers. Prices for the 2021 model ranged from $36,490 to $43,920, including a destination charge of $1,175. This refresh aimed to make the Ridgeline look more like a traditional truck, which is crucial for buyers in this segment.

The 2020 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced a smooth 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 pound-feet of torque at 4,700 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine offered improved shift quality compared to its predecessor. The Ridgeline adopted electronic transmission controls, which might not appeal to traditional truck buyers, but it included paddle shifters for those interested in towing. The 2020 model was available with front-wheel drive for Sport and RTL trims, while all-wheel drive was optional for those trims and standard for RTL-E and Black Edition. With Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD, the Ridgeline offered substantial off-road capabilities and a ground clearance of 7.9 inches. The all-wheel-drive model had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg combined.

For 2021, Honda upgraded the Ridgeline by making the i-VTM4 AWD system standard across all trims. The 3.5-liter V6 engine retained its output of 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with the nine-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline’s ground clearance was slightly reduced to 7.64 inches, and its capabilities shifted slightly towards smoother terrain. The maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, while the payload was up to 1,583 pounds, making it competitive within its class. The 2021 model maintained its performance edge over other midsize pickups with its torque-vectoring AWD, unibody architecture, and independent rear suspension, providing a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Ridgeline offered all the comfort and utility of a Honda Pilot SUV but swapped out the third-row seating for a 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed. The front seats were Pilot-grade comfortable, with heated options in all trims except Sport and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The rear seats were slightly cramped on legroom but comfortable enough for short trips. Storage in the Ridgeline was generous, with options for in-cab storage and a unique 7.3 cubic-foot in-bed trunk. The composite cargo bed was highly versatile, featuring a dual-action tailgate and a 150-watt/400-watt power outlet.

The 2021 Ridgeline continued this trend with ample interior storage and comfortable seating. The base Sport trim offered manually adjustable front seats and a roomier rear seat compared to competitors. Higher trims featured leather seats, heated front seats, a sunroof, and ambient lighting. The cargo bed retained the 33.9 cubic-foot capacity and boasted a dent- and scratch-resistant composite bed, 350-pound tie-down hooks, and the useful in-bed trunk. The dual-action tailgate remained a standout feature, adding convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2020 Ridgeline came standard with Honda’s Display Audio system, featuring an 8.0-inch touchscreen. However, the system lacked knobs and buttons, making it somewhat cumbersome to use. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but required patience and specific prompts for voice recognition. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation, and a premium sound system, though user experience issues persisted.

The 2021 Ridgeline improved on this with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims. This system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a seven-speaker sound system. As trims increased in luxury, so did the tech, adding features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging. Our Sport-trim test truck lacked these bells and whistles but excelled in connectivity and functionality with Apple CarPlay integration.

For 2020, the Ridgeline included Honda Sensing as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Ridgeline earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, though the lane-departure warning system and adaptive cruise control needed improvement.

In 2021, Honda Sensing remained standard, and the ADAS features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Ridgeline also included a multi-angle reversing camera and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning on all trims except Sport. The safety design carried over the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) crash standards, maintaining high safety ratings while awaiting new tests due to the front-end redesign.