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When the Honda Ridgeline arrived for its second generation in 2017, its smooth, crossover-like front end put off some would-be truck buyers, despite its comfortable interior and smart features like an in-bed trunk and available torque vectoring. . -transmission wheel. Critics will have less to talk about when it comes to the 2021 Honda Ridgeline, thanks to a mid-cycle update that adds a square-jaw front end to the package.
Unusually for a facelift, the Ridgeline gets an all-new sheet metal ahead of the A-pillar. Gone with the sloping front of the outgoing truck, replaced by a stronger-looking set of fenders and a taller hood that raises a little front fascia. A vertical front grille and a noticeable power boost further help make the new Ridgeline look more like a truck. The designers also restyled the front bumper cover with sharper corners, adding slick air curtains to the front fascia to help the truck fool the air a little better.
Other than the taller front end, the side profile doesn’t change much. The 2021 Ridgeline is also nearly identical from the rear, although the bumper has a couple of notches and dual-outlet exhausts – Honda’s market research suggests that truck owners like to have their tailpipes exposed, so that the hidden exhaust down exit no longer exists. Changes to the interior are equally subtle, with Honda’s latest infotainment system bringing back the physical volume knob (yay!) And new contrast-color stitching on all trims.
An additional update to the 2021 Ridgeline is a new Honda Performance Development styling package, included among four post-production options for the truck. Included in the HPD kit is a new front grille with a wide V texture, a unique set of decals and badges, and beautiful Sonoran Bronze wheels. It also includes chunky wheel arch extensions with beveled edges, which helps make the round wheel openings look more angular and trucky. The other three post-production packages will be called Utility, Function, and Function +, and all four will be available in any Ridgeline release.
The new Ridgeline keeps the trunk on the bed of its predecessor, the rear seat that folds up and down for different shaped cargo, and class-leading passenger space with huge interior storage cubicles. The on-road comfort and off-road capability of the Ridgeline shouldn’t be altered for the revamped model, which means we can probably expect it to ride smoothly on the highway and take on soft-fire trails with poise (particularly with the optional all-wheel drive).
Pricing has yet to be revealed, and the 2021 Honda Ridgeline should hit the market early next year.
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