This week, I test drove the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport with its impressive restyling to make it look more like a truck. It also does sacrifice the overall comfort and convenience you have, which was the overall idea of the ridgeline.
So, you still have the passenger vehicle’s comfort and features while it now looks more like a truck than its predecessors. While there are quite a few features added, it is not available in as many colors as before.
Exterior
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport exterior has been improved to display much more like a truck with a tougher overall look. Everything from the front looks more upright with a squared-off overall design so it can display better with the new style improvements.
- The headlights and the grille are more square than the older models
- A power dome ridge on the hood gives it a more grown-up truck look
- It also features a taller hood for better aerodynamics
- Larger fender flares are added for a better look
- Gold 18 inch wheels are added with a grill effect to give it a different appearance
- Black trim is added all over the exterior with black side mirrors
- Some HPD graphics are added to the side at the back
- Brighter LED lights are added
- Extra rigidity is added to the tires for a more off-road look
- A new bumper is added, and short chrome exhaust tips that stick out of it for better visual display
- With a new sports badge at the back on the tailgate, it looks a bit better and displays well
- The overall improvement of the exterior gives it a little bit more aggressive ridgeline, and the gold wheels stand out nicely.
Interior
The interior of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport is quite large compared to other similar vehicles. The base model’s interior is made from durable materials, so it can withstand the rough handling it might be used in.
- The interior is made from hard and durable plastic for better durability
- It comes standard with a five-seater capacity front and back
- All seats are covered with standard heavy-duty fabric to make them a bit more durable
- The seats provide decent back support and feel a bit softer with firm support
- Standard seat adjustment controls are easy to reach from a seating position, so you can easily select a comfortable position
- With higher trim of the vehicle, you can also get power seats for increased comfort
- With the front seats, you get a bit more space for the feet than is the case for the back seats
- You also have a lot more back-seat space and improved leg space
- A lot of head-clearing is allowed to give more space in the front
- The overall interior space is quite large, with a decent open viewing option in the cabin
- You have the standard touch screen with the volume knob brought back instead of the push button
- Easily accessible controls on the steering put most features close at hand
Engine/Powertrain
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport has a 3.5L 24-valve V6 gas engine with a 9-speed all-wheel drive transmission. It has a power output of 280Hp and 262 pound-foot torque, which is standard for this vehicle.
With a fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 24 miles mpg on the highway, it is quite economical for a gas engine.
Special Options/Package
On the trims for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport, you can choose between a black edition gearbox or the sports version.
Safety
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport comes loaded with safety features to improve the overall driving experience, which includes the following list:
- Blindspot monitoring information
- Adaptive cruise control
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Lane-keeping assistance
- Smart entry with walk-away auto-lock
- Multi-angle rearview camera
- Smart tire pressure monitoring system
- Traction control and vehicle stability assist
Conclusion
The newly updated exterior design of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport looks great while it has a lot of safety features. There are a lot of reasons to own one of these awesome mid-sized trucks. Honda doesn’t disappoint with the Ridgeline Sport and it’s worth the consideration if you are in the market for a mid-sized truck. The MSRP of the Honda Ridgeline sport starts at $37,715 with the base-level trim.
