The 2023 Honda Ridgeline offers a refined ride, clever bed features, and strong safety tech, but it compromises some towing, payload, and off-road capability compared with rivals.
Built on a unibody design, the Ridgeline emphasizes everyday usability and comfort rather than rugged truck work. This article breaks down what works well for most buyers and where the model may fall short, with numbers and specifics relevant to the 2023 version.
Pros
Readers and owners commonly cite several standout strengths of the 2023 Ridgeline. Here is a concise rundown of the main positives.
- Ride quality and interior comfort: a car-like ride with supportive front seats and a refined cabin that’s quiet on the highway.
- Versatile bed features: a 5-foot bed complemented by an in-bed trunk and a dual-action tailgate for easier loading and access.
- Standard and available safety tech: Honda Sensing safety suite is offered across trims, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
- All-wheel drive with i-VTM4: improves traction in rain and light snow and enhances stability without turning the truck into a full off-road machine.
- Practical interior layout: roomy front seating, thoughtful storage, and user-friendly controls for everyday use.
- Reliability and resale appeal: Honda’s reputation for durability and retained value helps owners over the long term.
Overall, the Ridgeline excels at daily driving, family use, and light utility tasks, delivering a comfortable, well-appointed experience.
Cons
As with any vehicle, there are trade-offs. The following points reflect common criticisms and caveats for the 2023 Ridgeline.
- Limited off-road capability: the unibody design and ground clearance aren’t suited for serious rock-crawling or extreme trail work.
- Modest towing and payload vs. some rivals: maximum towing capacity is around 5,000 pounds, and payload sits in the mid‑range for midsize pickups.
- Shorter bed compared with some competitors: a 5-foot bed can limit long-item transport compared with trucks offering a 6.5-foot bed.
- Interior and infotainment quirks: some users find the infotainment system less intuitive than rival systems, and the cabin can feel crowded with options or accessories.
- Pricing considerations: while well equipped, the Ridgeline can be pricier than some similarly capable rivals when targeting feature-for-feature.
In short, the Ridgeline prioritizes comfort, practicality, and safety over extreme capability or top-tier maximum payload and tow figures.
Performance and capability
Powertrain and acceleration
The 2023 Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing about 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This setup offers smooth, confident acceleration for everyday driving and highway merging, without the sporty urgency of some traditional pickups.
Towing and payload
When properly equipped, the Ridgeline can tow up to about 5,000 pounds, which covers most mid-size pickup needs. Payload capacity sits near 1,500 pounds, making it suitable for weekend gear, small trailers, and light construction loads, but it trails some competitors with higher payloads.
All-wheel drive and off-road capability
The available i-VTM4 AWD system delivers better traction in wet or slippery conditions and helps with light-duty off-road use. However, the Ridgeline remains a street-oriented pickup rather than a rock-crawler or hardcore trail truck, with modest ground clearance and no low-range gearing.
Fuel economy
Fuel economy for the 2023 Ridgeline typically lands in the low- to mid-20s mpg in mixed driving, with numbers varying by drivetrain (FWD vs. AWD) and trim. Expect around the 19–21 mpg city and 26–27 mpg highway range in many configurations.
Interior, comfort, and technology
Cabin comfort and seating
The Ridgeline offers comfortable seating for five with supportive front chairs and a quiet cabin. Rear legroom is adequate for adults on shorter trips, though the overall cargo volume behind the rear seats is limited by the unibody design and shorter bed.
Infotainment and driver-assistance tech
Most trims include a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims add features such as larger touchscreen displays, upgraded audio, and navigation. Honda Sensing safety features are generally standard, contributing to a reassuring daily-driver profile.
Practicality and value
Bed features and versatility
The 5-foot bed, in-bed trunk, and dual-action tailgate set the Ridgeline apart in terms of cargo versatility. The in-bed trunk offers dry, secure storage for gear and valuables, while the tailgate design makes loading and unloading easier in tight spaces.
Cargo space and daily usability
Beyond the bed, the Ridgeline emphasizes everyday practicality: usable cabin storage, simple cargo organizing options, and a comfortable, well-appointed interior that suits family travel and daily errands alike.
Summary
The 2023 Honda Ridgeline stands out in the midsize pickup segment for its refined ride, clever bed features, and strong safety package. It serves well as a daily driver and light-duty work vehicle, delivering comfort, reliability, and usable utility. Its main trade-offs are limited off-road capability, moderate payload and towing compared with some rivals, and a shorter bed that can constrain longer loads. Prospective buyers should weigh the Ridgeline’s comfort and practicality against the need for extreme trail capability or maximum payload and tow figures.