2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport First Look: A Toughened Truck With More Tech

This Ridgeline is meant for venturing off the beaten path.

Drew Johnson | 

Nov 28, 2023 | 2 min read

Honda

Honda is expanding its off-road-oriented TrailSport trim to include the Ridgeline pickup for the 2024 model year. Like the Pilot TrailSport and Passport TrailSport that came before it, the Ridgeline TrailSport boasts rugged styling and improved hardware to make it more off-road capable. A revised interior with updated tech is also part of the package.

Honda

Ridgeline TrailSport Pairs Rugged Looks With Off-Road Equipment

Befitting of its tougher image, the Ridgeline TrailSport features several unique design cues, including a blacked-out grille with a mesh design, a front skid garnish finished in Pewter Gray, black mirror and door-pillar trim, the word Ridgeline stamped across the dual-action tailgate, and orange TrailSport badges. Diffused Sky Blue, a TrailSport-exclusive paint color that debuted on the 2024 Pilot TrailSport, is optional on the 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport.

To improve its off-road chops, the Ridgeline TrailSport has been fitted with an off-road-tuned suspension that features what Honda describes as unique spring rates, damper valve tuning, and stabilizer bars. Additional hardware includes steel underbody protection and Pewter Gray-painted 18-inch wheels mounted with General Grabber A/T Sport tires.

Like all Ridgeline models, the TrailSport is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 280 horsepower, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system, which can route up to 70% of the engine's torque to the rear wheels. The Ridgeline TrailSport can haul up to 1,583 pounds of gear in its bed and is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Honda

Interior Highlights Include Unique Trim and Improved Tech

Improvements to the Ridgeline TrailSport's cabin include a larger center console; a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad that can accommodate two smartphones; orange ambient lighting; TrailSport-embroidered front headrests; and orange accent stitching on the steering wheel, seats, and door panels. All-season rubber floor mats with molded TrailSport badges are also included in the package.

On the tech front, the 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport gains a standard 7.0-inch digital display screen that's integrated with a physical speedometer and a 9.0-inch central touchscreen that's been upgraded with a faster processor for improved performance. Additional enhancements to the infotainment system include a streamlined navigation interface and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies is fitted as standard to all 2024 Ridgeline models. The suite includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Honda

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Arrives Later This Year

Pricing for the 2024 Ridgeline TrailSport has not been announced as of November 2023. The new TrailSport trim is expected to arrive in dealer showrooms, along with the rest of the 2024 Ridgeline range, this winter.

Drew Johnson

I have been a professional automotive enthusiast since 2007, featured on several nationally-recognized sites. I attended Miami University, where I earned a business degree. Car nut at heart.