Pickups have come a long way in terms of comfort – especially the unibody-built Ridgeline. As such, its base trim, the Sport, is well set up with nice features such as tri-zone automatic climate control, push-button ignition, LED headlights, LED taillights, Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, a HomeLink universal garage door opener, and a hidden storage area beneath the 60/40-split flip-up second-row seat. Even its truck bed is deluxe with 33.9 cubic feet of space, a dual-action tailgate, a lockable storage trunk, and eight heavy-duty tie-down cleats.
Every Ridgeline gets automatic high beams plus Honda Sensing, the proprietary driver-assist technology suite, which contains forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning. The Sport also has an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, an SMS text messaging assistant, and a seven-speaker sound system. Also standard are a USB charge port, a USB data port, and two 12-volt outlets, plus access to HondaLink remote vehicle services.
The RTL raises the plushness factor with leather upholstery, heated power front seats (the driver’s seat has position memory), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power sliding moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, and interior LED lights for reading. The side mirrors are heated and enhanced with position memory and integrated turn-signal indicators. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is added to the driver-assist suite, and the infotainment system is upgraded with SiriusXM satellite radio.
Some additional upscale features make the RTL-E really attractive, starting with a heated steering wheel, illuminated beverage holders, and blue ambient interior lighting. It also has programmable remote entry, puddle lamps, a conversation mirror, front and rear parking sensors, wireless phone charging, and a 150W/400W truck-bed power outlet. The Honda also includes additional cabin speakers, including a subwoofer, as well as truck-bed speakers and two more second-row USB ports.
The Black Edition is equipped similarly to the RTL-E, but the ambient interior lighting is red rather than blue, and the exterior gets the blacked-out theme that gives the trim its name.
Honda offers a series of optional equipment groupings for the 2023 Ridgeline. The Function Package makes cargo transportation even easier by adding dividers for the in-bed trunk, plus cargo nets and a first-aid kit; the Function+ Package includes those features plus a hard cargo-area cover. Fender flares, a special grille, and package-specific wheels define the HPD Black and Bronze packages, with the names indicating the color of the wheels. The Utility Package contains running boards and roof with rails with crossbars.