There’s no question that when it comes to pickup trucks, drivers have a heck of a lot of options. In some cases, the only real difference between trucks is the brand name. A Chevy Colorado and a Ford Ranger will have minor differences, but you are essentially getting the same level of capability and a design philosophy that has remained effectively unchanged for decades. For a pickup truck to gain some attention, it would either have to outdo the established segment leaders in terms of towing and payload, or it would have to offer some unique benefits not easily found elsewhere.
If you see a Honda Ridgeline for sale, you’ll soon discover how this truck does the latter. This is not to say it cannot accomplish the day’s work—it certainly can. The 2025 Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and the truck’s bed can handle a payload of 1,583 lbs, which is pretty competitive for its class. Yet the highlights of the Ridgeline are features folks might not normally associate with a pickup truck, which is why this Honda has been raising eyebrows. It is also inviting a new customer base into the pickup truck market. Families and commuters love what this truck offers as it serves their purposes just as well as it does traditional pickup buyers. Let’s see what gives the 2025 Ridgeline the ability to stand out in a very crowded field and expand its buyer demographic.
Speed, Speed, Speed
The Ridgeline can be a bit of a social and a commuting vehicle, especially in comparison to other midsize models, as it has a tendency to take off quickly, reducing merging worries. That means that in addition to hauling, the Ridgeline is happy to take the family for a long journey and allow drivers to use their truck as a day-to-day ride back and forth from work. This comes thanks to the Ridgeline’s potent V6 engine that produces 280 hp and 262 torque; the truck uses those numbers to make sure drivers don’t have any issue gliding onto the highway or leading the pack once on the road. How so? Because you can go from zero to 60 mph in six seconds.
How unique is that compared to other midsize trucks? Well, the Ridgeline easily bests the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, which can only get to 60 mph in seven seconds with its base turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It also races ahead of the 2025 Ford Ranger, which takes 6.2 seconds to get to the same speed with its 2.3L turbo.
It’s not just commuters who love the results of the engine, although they certainly do love the fact that they can glide onto the highway during the morning commute. Families also love that the truck can operate at high mileage without a sense of drag since speed doesn’t cause the pickup to break a sweat. When you’re on a trip with the kids, you don’t want to feel like the whole cabin is jostling. Speaking of a reliably smooth ride, that brings up another unique element of the Ridgeline worth noting.
The Ridgeline Has a Nimble Build
Plenty of folks want a pickup truck, but since they plan to use it for commuting in the city or driving around with the family, they don’t want one that feels too clunky or heavy. They want it to lean towards feeling like a car or SUV instead of a massive truck. The Ridgeline quickly stands out among pickups because it’s far friendlier for these types of drivers. Its structure is based on the Honda Pilot SUV, meaning you get a responsive, natural ride instead of the more truck-like one other pickups provide. This is not a truck with an old-fashioned body-on-frame build, a structure that’s found in most other trucks. There’s no doubt drivers will feel more relaxed behind the wheel of the Ridgeline than in its competitors.
The coil-spring rear suspension in the Ridgeline gives it another advantage over other midsize trucks, as it gives drivers a more composed ride on (and off) the roads. The weight of this Honda pickup also adds to its sense of graceful driving and acceleration as it weighs a few hundred pounds less than most of its rivals. And that lower weight adds to another reason the Ridgeline is able to stake a claim of its own in the crowded truck market.
The Ridgeline Has Both Short and Long-Term Cost Advantages
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline earns a 21 MPG combined rating, with a quite competitive 24 MPG on the highway. Again, commuters love this. Not only is the combined mileage solid, but the highway numbers mean trips to and from the office won’t break the bank. Instead, drivers will be able to show off their trucks in the parking lot without becoming too familiar with their local gas station.
Where cost really makes a difference, however, is with the V6 engine. That engine comes standard on all trims of the Ridgeline. With trucks like the Ranger or the Tacoma, you have to upgrade to get the best-performing engine, which means you’ll be shelling out a lot more when you purchase or lease. The Ridgeline, however, gives you the acceleration and capability you love right out of the gate.
The higher trims of the Ridgeline also have far lower MRSPs than other trucks. The 2025 Ridgeline’s highest trim tops out around $47,000 (give or take a couple extra upgrades), but the Colorado hits $50,000, the Ranger pushes $56,000, and the top-tier Tacoma comes in at a whopping $64,000. It’s no surprise that Ridgeline is earning love from commuters and families with savings like that.
Room for Both the Crew and Gear
Lots of pickups claim to have spacious seating, but often, the rear row ends up feeling cramped. The Ridgeline, however, delivers on its promise of comfortable and roomy seating with its standard Crew Cab. Your family will feel they have the legroom they need because the rear row has 36.7 inches to stretch out. This is in clear contrast to the Colorado at 34.7 inches and the Tacoma at 33.7 inches. Your passengers will be able to rest comfortably during a long trek, once more making the Ridgeline a superior ride for those who want to travel with loved ones. The space in the back is also helpful for cargo as it gives you a bit more cargo volume you can utilize if you’re traveling alone and really packing in luggage, equipment, or gear. Plus, the Ridgeline even comes with a unique in-bed truck that provides an extra 7.3 cu.ft. of secure cargo space.
The Results of the Ridgeline’s Unique Features and Stats
You can quickly see why the Ridgeline appeals to a wider customer base than just traditional truck buyers. If a family is hunting for a truck so they can bring along a camper to the wilderness, or if a commuter is looking to impress when they show up at the office, the Ridgeline delivers. This truck helps drivers when it comes to day-to-day driving in a way many other pickups cannot. The very structure of the Ridgeline is more inviting for urban and suburban drivers, and the acceleration plays well with those who are in a hurry and managing a stressful schedule. Its more spacious rear seating translates to happier passengers when it’s time for a road trip. Add how cost-effective the Ridgeline is, and it is no surprise that this is a truck drawing in drivers who might not normally own a pickup truck. There’s no question we’ll continue to see this truck populating the roadways, and there’s also no question anymore as to why.
