2024 Ridgeline TrailSport: Honda's Versatile Pickup
In America, we tend to shy away from moderation. We thrive on drama and grandeur, embodying a nation of aspiring tycoons and relentless adventurers. We conceive of monuments like Mount Rushmore and architectural marvels like the Sphere in Vegas, and no one can dissuade us. We gaze at the $20 million mansion on Zillow with its own go-kart track and think, "That needs more elevation change around Turn 3." In this landscape of ambition and imagination, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport arrives—a vehicle designed for the few who navigate by reason in a sea of irrationality. It's the pickup truck for those who've never dabbled in cryptocurrency.
The TrailSport Trim: A Step Towards Fantasy
The TrailSport trim, introduced for 2024 and priced at $46,375, represents a calculated move towards fantasy—an off-road version of a street-oriented pickup. Key upgrades include limbered-up springs, dampers, anti-roll bars, and General Grabber A/T Sport all-terrain tires. These enhancements don't transform the Ridgeline into a Ford Ranger Raptor, but they don't compromise its outstanding on-pavement performance either.
Performance and Handling
The General Grabber A/T Sport tires, though visually aggressive, maintain on-pavement civility. They offer a quiet highway ride, and the TrailSport's 0.78-g skidpad performance is impressive. This figure closely matches the 0.79 g from a 2021 Ridgeline Sport HPD or the 0.80 g from a 2017 Ridgeline Black Edition on different tires. Honda's torque-vectoring rear differential, capable of sending 70 percent of total torque to either rear tire, enhances the truck's handling prowess.
Braking and Acceleration
The TrailSport's braking performance is notable, stopping from 70 mph in 180 feet—15 feet shorter than the Black Edition's results. The Ridgeline TrailSport is also the quickest Ridgeline tested, reaching 0–60 mph in 6.0 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds at 94 mph. This performance surpasses competitors like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and the Toyota Tacoma TRD.
Engine and Fuel Efficiency
Powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 producing 280 horsepower at 6000 rpm, the Ridgeline delivers a thrilling driving experience. Its i-VTEC system can deactivate cylinders to improve fuel efficiency, achieving 17 mpg in real-world driving, slightly below the EPA's combined estimate.
Interior and Bed Features
Inside, the TrailSport boasts TrailSport logos, rubber floor mats, and orange contrast stitching. The rear seats can be folded up to create additional storage space. The bed features a locking under-floor trunk and a versatile tailgate that can open downward or swing out horizontally.
Verdict: A Practical Pickup
While the Ridgeline TrailSport may not be the most extreme off-roader, it excels in areas that matter most to the average truck owner. It offers a blend of practicality and capability that will appeal to those seeking a versatile vehicle for everyday use. So, if you're in the market for a pickup that can handle both the daily grind and occasional off-road adventure, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport is worth considering.
