2025 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport – All The Truck You Probably Need

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport is an exceptional vehicle that deserves more recognition than it receives. This unibody truck is not only competent and practical, but also exceptionally well-designed. True to Honda’s reputation for quality and feel, the Ridgeline successfully combines comfort with functionality, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a versatile vehicle.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is a carryover model from 2024, which featured a significant refresh. It is equipped with an impressive 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Ridgeline shares a platform with the highly regarded Odyssey minivan. Although this connection might seem unusual, it’s important to note that the Odyssey is designed for efficiently transporting both people and cargo, excelling in its class. This versatility translates effectively when the vehicle is configured as a truck, as it prioritizes moving stuff over passengers.

The TrailSport moniker on my Ridgeline test vehicle suggests that it offers enhanced rugged capabilities compared to the standard Ridgeline, and this is partially true. The TrailSport sets itself apart from other Ridgeline trims with a unique grille, black door pillars, black mirrors, and a black crossbar atop the front grille. The exterior differences also include Pewter Grey wheels and skid plates. Additionally, the Diffused Sky paint on my test vehicle is exclusive to the TrailSport trim.

The Ridgeline TrailSport doesn’t gain any further ground clearance or enhanced approach or departure angles, but the suspension has been tuned to be more off-road oriented, features skid plates, and wears mild 18″ all-terrain General Grabber tires. That said, the Honda Ridgeline TrailSport is more on the side of soft-roader than off-roader.

The 2025 Ridgeline interior retains its functional design, but does so in a nicely laid-out and stylish manner. The dash features a seven-inch driver information cluster and a nine-inch touchscreen, both of which are standard and support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hard buttons are used throughout for all core functionality, which makes the Ridgeline extremely easy to operate.

Ridgeline’s cabin feels well-designed, comfortable, and functional. Again, Ridgeline prioritizes purpose over form, but it is a great place to spend time while on the road.

The Honda Ridgeline TrailSport interior gets orange ambient lighting and orange contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door cards, and seats. Rubber floor mats are standard, as is a rear flat floor with 60/40 split folding rear seats.

On the business end of the Ridgeline TrailSport is the very clever bed packaging. Remember, the Ridgeline has a fully boxed frame and an independent rear suspension. The max payload is rated at 1,583 pounds, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Honda did an excellent job with the clever packaging around the Ridgeline’s bed. For a full demo, please see the embedded video above. The Ridgeline’s bed is wide enough to carry a 4-foot-wide sheet of plywood or drywall between the wheel wells and is made from glass fiber-reinforced DMC composite. This means the bed will resist dents and scratches without requiring a separate bed liner. The bed also features eight tie-downs to secure cargo, and the tailgate can be either flipped down in a traditional truck manner or swung open like a swing gate.

Honda engineers were clever with the packaging and gave the Ridgeline a lockable In-Bed Trunk located under the load floor. This secure storage space features 7.3 cubic feet of storage and includes a drain plug, allowing the space to be used as a cooler. Again, check out the video demo of the bed, which is embedded above.

I’ve always appreciated the Ridgeline since its debut. Honda has consistently delivered clever engineering and packaging, enhancing its capabilities over the years. The current Ridgeline is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a versatile, all-around vehicle that can meet most people’s needs for a truck.

The Ridgeline TrailSport isn’t the sexiest off-road truck on the market, but it’s not trying to be. It’s just a genuinely excellent effort to fill the gap between an SUV and a hardcore pickup. Honda has succeeded in that effort with the Ridgeline and hopes that more buyers will take the time to see that effort in their showrooms.

Honda achieved a record June sales figure for the Ridgeline, selling 4,767 units, with year-to-date sales for 2025 up 21.9% compared to the same period last year. Perhaps consumers are finally realizing the greatness of the Ridgeline.