3 Reasons to Avoid the 2022 Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline has never really been the most popular mid-size truck. And that is even with the consistent praise that this pickup gets from critics and journalists. For 2022, the Ridgeline even comes with a standard V6 engine and all-wheel drive, but there are other trucks on the market that excel more at doing truck stuff. Here are three reasons why you should consider avoiding the 2022 Honda Ridgeline.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is not cheap
Simply put, the Honda Ridgeline is not as cheap as other mid-size trucks. The base Sport trim has a starting MSRP of $38,140. And for the top-trim Black Edition, expect to pay around $45,600. In comparison, the 2022 Nissan Frontier starts at under $30,000, and it still comes with a standard V6 engine.
That said, the Honda Ridgeline does offer some more standard features than other pickup trucks. Because of this, the Ridgeline does justify some of its cost. If you do have the budget to spend roughly $40,000 on a pickup truck, maybe this vehicle is worth it.
The 2022 Ridgeline is not as capable as other trucks
If you are shopping for a new truck, even a mid-size option, you likely want some capability from your pickup. Unfortunately, the Ridgeline is fairly limited in terms of towing capacity and off-road ability. Honda’s truck shares its platform with the popular Honda Pilot, which means it is not body-on-frame.
In terms of towing, the Ridgeline can handle up to 5,000 pounds. But that is less than that of the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger. Even Hyundai’s small truck, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped.
Honda’s truck does not have good resale value
If you are interested in a pickup truck with good resale value, you will likely want to avoid the Ridgeline. According to MotorTrend, the Honda Ridgeline struggles to hold its value. Especially when compared to other pickups. Considering the initial price of this vehicle, that is a bit of a disappointment.
Resale value might not be important to every shopper though. It is just something to keep in mind before you purchase your mid-size truck.
Should you buy the 2022 Honda Ridgeline?
On paper, the Honda Ridgeline excels. And, it even offers things like a comfortable ride and premium features. However, those characteristics have not been enough to win over the buying public. So, while publications like Consumer Reports praise the new Honda Ridgeline, that has not translated to successful sales numbers.
Perhaps with the introduction of vehicles like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, buyers will see that not everybody needs a body-on-frame truck. But, the Ridgeline is significantly more expensive than those competitors.
It just seems like the value proposition for the Ridgeline is not as solid as it could be. It can only tow up to 5,000 lbs, and it lacks the off-road chops of other models. Maybe in the future, that could change.
