The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is the only pickup truck that Honda currently offers. It’s able to tow, haul, and comes stocked with some fairly impressive features. But when it comes down to it, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline may just be one of the most overrated trucks out there.

Is the 2021 Honda Ridgeline really an SUV in disguise?

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline isn’t like other pickup trucks. In fact, while most pickups are built on a body that’s been bolted to a separate frame, the Honda Ridgeline is built using a unified body structure. And, according to Car and Driver, its underpinnings are even shared with SUVs like the Honda Pilot and the Honda Passport. There aren’t many trucks out there that can say the same thing, if at all.

Its unibody construction isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from other trucks on the market, either. The Ridgeline boasts both an independent suspension in the front and rear, which according to Consumer Reports makes it feel more like your driving a car and less like you’re behind the wheel of a rough and tough pickup truck. While that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it does set the Honda Ridgeline apart from its competitors.

Its towing capabilities are easily eclipsed by its rivals

There’s really no getting around it. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is able to tow. Unfortunately, it’s not able to tow all that much. In fact, this year’s model is only rated to tow up to 5,000-pounds when properly equipped. For a compact pickup truck, that’s not all that impressive. Especially when considering that the Ridgeline’s towing capabilities are easily eclipsed by its rivals.

Take, for example, the 2021 Ford Ranger, which, unlike the Ridgeline, boasts a best-in-class tow rating of 7,500-pounds. This year’s new Ford Ranger also offers up a maximum payload rating of 1,860-pounds, which is far and above the Honda Ridgeline’s 1,584-pound payload rating.

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is seriously expensive 

Here’s the thing, when it comes to pricing, the Honda Ridgeline is seriously expensive. Opt for a base model Ridgeline and you’ll find yourself spending at least $36,490. Upgrade to the Honda Ridgeline RTL and that price jumps up to $39,470. At its most expensive, the Ridgeline will have you spending at least $43,920, which is pretty pricey when compared to its rivals.

Don’t just take our word for it, either. The Ford Ranger, which offers up better towing capabilities than the Ridgeline, will only have you spending between $24,820 and $32,910. Meaning, you could treat yourself to a fully-loaded Ranger and still spend less than you would on a base model Honda Ridgeline. 

The Ranger isn’t the only truck that’s cheaper than the Honda Ridgeline, either. The Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, and the Jeep Gladiator all boast lower base prices than that of this year’s Ridgeline. 

Is the Honda Ridgeline overrated?

There’s no denying that the Honda Ridgeline is a well-liked pickup. It also gets some pretty great reviews. But is it overrated? It might be. After all, it’s pretty expensive and can’t tow nearly as much as some of its rivals.