# 2025 Honda Ridgeline Review: A Thorough Examination of the Revamped Everyday Truck
The Honda Ridgeline has consistently stood out in the midsize truck market, credited to its unibody design, smooth handling, and clever features. For the year 2025, Honda has implemented a substantial redesign for the Ridgeline, enhancing its already distinctive formula to more effectively rival conventional body-on-frame trucks while preserving its everyday practicality. In this detailed review, we will delve into the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, focusing on its design, performance, technology, and overall driving experience.
## Exterior Design: A More Robust Aesthetic
One of the most striking alterations for the 2025 Ridgeline is its more robust and truck-like facade. Honda has evidently heeded comments from consumers requesting a bolder, more assertive design. The front now showcases a larger, more pronounced grille adorned with a honeycomb pattern, accompanied by sleek LED headlights that impart a more authoritative look on the road. The hood has been crafted with sharper lines, and the front bumper has been revamped to improve both appearance and functionality.
The rear section of the Ridgeline has also received updates, featuring fresh taillights and a more squared-off tailgate that grants the truck a more conventional pickup profile. The dual-action tailgate, a signature characteristic of the Ridgeline, remains intact, enabling users to either swing it open like a door or lower it like a typical tailgate. The in-bed trunk, another exclusive feature, provides secure, weather-resistant storage that can serve as a cooler, complete with a drain plug.
The 2025 Ridgeline is offered in a selection of new color options, such as the eye-catching “Midnight Blue Pearl” and “Radiant Red Metallic,” which enhance its aesthetic appeal even further.
## Interior: A Blend of Comfort and Functionality
Inside, the 2025 Ridgeline continues to emphasize comfort and functionality, making it an outstanding option for both daily commuting and weekend escapades. The interior is roomy and well-furnished, featuring high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces throughout. Honda has rolled out new upholstery choices, such as a resilient leather-trimmed option for upper trims, which adds an element of luxury to the truck’s cabin.
The revamped dashboard boasts a more contemporary design, inclusive of a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is user-friendly and responsive, facilitating easy navigation through menus and control of various functions. A new digital instrument cluster is also on offer, allowing drivers to customize displays for essential information like speed, fuel economy, and navigation.
Honda has additionally enhanced the Ridgeline’s seating, providing more supportive front seats with improved lumbar support for longer journeys. The rear seats remain spacious, with sufficient legroom to comfortably house adult passengers. The rear seatbacks can be folded up to create extra cargo space inside the cabin, a particularly beneficial feature for transporting larger items that need shelter from the elements.
## Performance: Smooth and Capable
Beneath the hood, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is equipped with a refined 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the older 9-speed unit for enhanced shifting and better fuel efficiency. The Ridgeline’s powertrain delivers impressive acceleration and sufficient passing power, making it adept for both urban driving and highway journeys.
A standout feature of the Ridgeline is its unibody structure, which differentiates it from conventional body-on-frame trucks. This configuration provides the Ridgeline with a smoother, more car-like driving experience, reducing body roll and enhancing handling compared to many rivals. The independent rear suspension further boosts ride comfort, ranking the Ridgeline among the most comfortable trucks in its category.
Though the Ridgeline may not be the primary choice for serious off-road enthusiasts, it still boasts commendable off-road capabilities, thanks to its standard all-wheel-drive system and a new “TrailSport” trim. The TrailSport variant comes outfitted with off-road-tuned suspension, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, enhancing its performance on rough landscapes. For those requiring towing capacity, the Ridgeline supports a maximum towing capability of 5,500 pounds, which is competitive within the midsize truck market.
## Fuel Efficiency: A Well-Rounded Approach
Fuel efficiency has consistently been a highlight of the Ridgeline, and the 2025 model upholds this reputation. The V6 engine, coupled with the newly updated 10-speed automatic transmission, yields an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in urban settings and 26 mpg on the highway. These figures are impressive for a midsize truck, especially one equipped with standard all-wheel drive. Honda has also suggested the potential for a hybrid variant in the near future, which could further enhance fuel economy.
