[Auto] Oh, hey, the Honda Ridgeline has a new TrailSport trim

[El Máster Edwin]

All-terrain tires and subtle design tweaks look great on Honda’s midsize truck

 

They say the only things that are certain in this world are death and taxes. But you can also be pretty darn certain that once an automaker finds a successful sub-brand, it’ll apply it to as many models as it can. Such is the case with Honda’s TrailSport trim – now that this rugged updo is offered on the Passport and Pilot SUVs, it’s time for platform-mate Ridgeline to get the same kit.

The Ridgeline TrailSport follows the same playbook as its SUV siblings, with 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, skid plates for added underbody protection, orange interior accents and a trim-specific Diffused Sky Blue hue. TrailSport-specific springs rates, damper tuning, and revised stabilizer bars should make this midsize truck a little more capable on rough roads, but make no mistake, this is by no means a rock-crawler. It's just better able to tackle some rough trails, with a standard torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system helping to manage power and traction.

Every Ridgeline continues to be powered by Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 with 280hp, 262lb ft of torque, and a 9-speed automatic transmission. Honda’s midsize truck might not be as outright capable as body-on-frame competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, or Toyota Tacoma, but it can still handle 1,583 pounds of payload and tow a 5,000-pound trailer.

Inside, all Ridgeline models get a few spiffy upgrades, including a 9-inch touchscreen with a faster processor, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a redesigned center console, too, with a wireless charging pad, so you can make full use of that aforementioned smartphone compatibility.

 

Honda hasn’t released pricing for the Ridgeline TrailSport – or any trim level, for that matter – but we expect to have that in the coming weeks. Look for the full roster of 2024 model year Ridgeline trucks to land at dealers before the end of the year.

 

 

Link