2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 RAM 2500

As it stood, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline received a rugged makeover a few years prior, featuring a new front end replete with bold elements, larger dual exhaust outlets, and stylish wheels decked with aggressive tires. This remodel lent the Ridgeline a more robust aura, growing in appeal among truck enthusiasts seeking a midsize option with flair. The Ridgeline came in four versions, with the Black Edition offering alternatives to its standard black paint, such as white and gray, tailoring its look further to consumer preference. On the other hand, if one opted for the Honda Performance Development (HPD) packages, they found conspicuously oversized fender flares that might not be to everyone's taste.

Contrasting this, the 2023 RAM 2500, particularly in its Rebel trim, presented a formidable appearance reminiscent of the Power Wagon but with cleaner design lines, devoid of graphics, and equipped with an aluminum sport hood and larger 20-inch wheels. This model emphasized a cleaner, blacked-out aesthetic that resonated with modern style trends. The absence of the Power Wagon’s integrated Warn winch in the Rebel was due to the addition of an optional Cummins turbodiesel which demanded different cooling specifications, highlighting the practical adjustments made for performance preferences.

Honda had leveraged familiar engineering brilliance in the 2023 Ridgeline, shared across platforms like the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot. The 3.5-liter V6 engine provided a balanced 280 horsepower, harmonizing with a slick nine-speed automatic transmission and clever torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Remarkably tuned for paved adventures, the Ridgeline boasted leading fuel economy figures and smooth driving dynamics, closely mirroring a premium SUV rather than a traditional pickup, making it perfect for city dwellers who occasionally wander off-road.

The RAM 2500 Rebel, however, packed a larger standard 6.4-liter V8 engine punching out 410 horsepower. For diesel enthusiasts, the optional 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel pushed out 370 horsepower, but a prodigious 850 lb-ft of torque, justifying its worthiness on tougher terrains and heavier towing needs. The Rebel was designed with heavy-duty tasks in mind, supporting a maximum tow capacity of 16,870 pounds underlining its prowess in utility and performance far beyond that of the Ridgeline.

Interior space and cargo capabilities markedly defined the practical usage of both trucks. The Ridgeline's interior was highly functional with a plethora of storage options, comfortable seating, and a unique dual-action tailgate leading to Honda’s innovation—the lockable in-bed trunk, adding waterproof storage with 7.3 cubic feet of space. This clever utilization of space made the Ridgeline immensely versatile in daily utility.

The RAM 2500 Rebel's larger frame and more rugged build provided a spacious cab with premium materials, bucket seats that offered comfort over long hauls, and ample storage both inside the cabin and in the bed. The optional Ram Box provided secure, weatherproof storage integrated into the bed’s sides, a feature unmatched by the Ridgeline, aligning the Rebel more closely with expectations for heavy-duty usage.

The Ridgeline's technology was admittedly aging, with the infotainment system reflecting previous generation standards. Nonetheless, it supported essential connectivity like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface, while basic, was user-friendly enough for daily interactions.

Meanwhile, the 2023 RAM 2500 showcased the latest Uconnect 5 system on a 12-inch digital panel, offering a more dynamic interaction with the truck’s systems and external devices. The integration of camera systems and trailering technologies provided enhanced operational confidence, particularly in maneuvering and trailering scenarios where the Ridgeline could not compete.

The Honda Ridgeline came fitted with an older Honda Sensing suite, which, while comprehensive, showed its age in refinement compared to newer systems. The lack of some newer safety features unless upgraded to higher trims left some safety desires unmet, though it performed well in standard crash tests.

The Ram 2500 offered a robust suite of safety features, including extensive driver-assistance technologies that bolstered its capability as a safer choice for both daily driving and heavy-duty tasks, despite the absence of crash-test ratings typical for heavy-duty trucks.