2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport: Is It Worth It?

Hey guys! Today, we’re diving deep into the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport. If you're in the market for a versatile truck that blends everyday comfort with rugged capability, the Ridgeline has likely crossed your radar. But does the Sport trim offer the right balance of features and value? Let’s break it down and see if this is the truck for you. This review aims to provide a comprehensive look at the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport, covering everything from its performance and interior features to its design and overall value. Whether you're a long-time truck enthusiast or a first-time buyer, we've got you covered with all the details you need to make an informed decision.

Overview of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport distinguishes itself with a unique blend of car-like comfort and truck-like utility. Unlike traditional body-on-frame trucks, the Ridgeline uses a unibody construction, which significantly enhances ride quality and handling. The Sport trim is designed to offer a more accessible entry point into the Ridgeline lineup, providing essential features without breaking the bank. The exterior of the Ridgeline Sport is both functional and stylish. It features a bold front grille, sleek lines, and a dual-action tailgate that can either swing down like a traditional tailgate or swing open to the side, providing easier access to the bed. The integrated trunk in the bed is a standout feature, offering secure, weatherproof storage – perfect for groceries, sports equipment, or tools. Inside, the Ridgeline Sport offers a comfortable and well-equipped cabin. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, ensuring seamless connectivity. The seats are designed for comfort, even on long drives, and the interior materials are durable and easy to clean, making it ideal for both work and play. Under the hood, the Ridgeline Sport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, providing ample power for everyday driving and towing. The Ridgeline Sport also comes standard with all-wheel drive, enhancing traction and stability in various driving conditions. Safety is a top priority in the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport. Standard safety features include Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking, providing added peace of mind on the road. Overall, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport offers a compelling package for those seeking a versatile and comfortable truck. Its unique unibody construction, innovative features, and comprehensive safety suite make it a standout choice in the mid-size truck segment.

Performance and Handling

When it comes to performance, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport really shines. The heart of this truck is its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which pumps out a healthy 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. This power is more than enough for daily commutes, weekend adventures, and even some serious towing. The engine is paired with a smooth and responsive nine-speed automatic transmission, making for seamless acceleration and efficient highway cruising. One of the standout features of the Ridgeline is its unibody construction. Unlike traditional body-on-frame trucks, the Ridgeline’s unibody design provides a more refined and comfortable ride. It handles more like an SUV than a truck, with less body roll and better overall stability. This makes it a great choice for those who want the utility of a truck without sacrificing everyday comfort. The all-wheel-drive system on the Ridgeline Sport is another major plus. It provides excellent traction in a variety of conditions, whether you’re dealing with rain, snow, or gravel roads. The Intelligent Traction Management system allows you to select different modes, such as Snow, Mud, and Sand, to optimize performance for the specific terrain. Towing is also a strong suit for the Ridgeline Sport. It has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, which is plenty for hauling a small boat, trailer, or other recreational equipment. The integrated tow hitch and trailer stability assist system make towing safer and easier. Fuel economy is another area where the Ridgeline excels. It gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, which is quite impressive for a mid-size truck with all-wheel drive. This makes it a more economical choice compared to some of its competitors. On the road, the Ridgeline Sport feels confident and composed. The steering is precise, and the brakes are strong and responsive. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and potholes, providing a smooth and comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers. Off-road, the Ridgeline is surprisingly capable. While it’s not a rock crawler, it can handle moderate trails and unpaved roads with ease. The all-wheel-drive system and high ground clearance give it the ability to tackle most off-road challenges. Overall, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport offers a well-rounded performance package. Its powerful engine, smooth transmission, comfortable ride, and capable all-wheel-drive system make it a great choice for a wide range of drivers.

Interior and Technology

Let's jump inside the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport and check out what it has to offer in terms of interior and technology. The cabin is designed with both comfort and functionality in mind, making it a great place to spend time whether you're on a long road trip or just running errands around town. The seats in the Ridgeline Sport are comfortable and supportive, providing ample cushioning for both the driver and passengers. The cloth upholstery is durable and easy to clean, which is a definite plus for a truck that's likely to see its fair share of dirt and grime. The interior design is clean and modern, with a focus on practicality. The dashboard is well-organized and easy to navigate, with all the essential controls within easy reach. The materials used throughout the cabin are of good quality, giving it a premium feel. One of the standout features of the Ridgeline Sport's interior is its spaciousness. There's plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats, making it comfortable for passengers of all sizes. The rear seats also fold up, providing additional cargo space inside the cabin. In terms of technology, the Ridgeline Sport comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system is user-friendly and responsive, with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing you to seamlessly connect your smartphone and access your favorite apps, music, and navigation. The Ridgeline Sport also comes standard with a range of other tech features, including a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. Available options include a premium audio system, a navigation system, and a sunroof. One of the coolest features of the Ridgeline is its in-bed trunk. This lockable, weatherproof storage compartment is located under the bed floor and provides a secure place to store valuables or keep groceries cold. It even has a drain plug, making it easy to clean out after hauling wet or muddy gear. The Ridgeline Sport also comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking, providing added peace of mind on the road. Overall, the interior and technology of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport are impressive. It offers a comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped cabin with a range of convenient features and advanced technology. Whether you're using it for work or play, the Ridgeline Sport's interior is sure to impress.

Design and Exterior Features

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport sports a design that's both functional and stylish. It's a truck that looks good whether you're on the job site or cruising around town. The front of the Ridgeline is characterized by its bold grille and sleek headlights. The overall look is modern and aggressive, giving the truck a commanding presence on the road. The body lines are clean and aerodynamic, contributing to its fuel efficiency and overall performance. One of the standout features of the Ridgeline's exterior is its dual-action tailgate. This innovative tailgate can either swing down like a traditional tailgate or swing open to the side, providing easier access to the bed. This makes it much easier to load and unload cargo, especially when you're carrying bulky or heavy items. The bed of the Ridgeline is another area where it really shines. It's made from a durable composite material that's resistant to scratches, dents, and corrosion. It also features eight tie-down cleats, making it easy to secure your cargo. As mentioned earlier, the Ridgeline also has a unique in-bed trunk. This lockable, weatherproof storage compartment is located under the bed floor and provides a secure place to store valuables or keep groceries cold. It's a feature that you won't find on most other trucks, and it's a huge selling point for many Ridgeline owners. The Ridgeline Sport comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, which give it a sporty and stylish look. It also has black exterior trim, including black grille, black door handles, and black mirror caps, which further enhances its sporty appearance. Other notable exterior features include LED headlights, LED taillights, and heated side mirrors. These features not only improve visibility and safety but also add to the truck's overall aesthetic appeal. The Ridgeline is available in a variety of colors, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your personal style. Some of the popular color options include Platinum White Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl. Overall, the design and exterior features of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport are well-thought-out and functional. It's a truck that looks good and works hard, making it a great choice for a wide range of buyers.

Pros and Cons of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport to help you make a well-informed decision.

Pros:

• Smooth Ride Quality: The Ridgeline's unibody construction gives it a ride that's more akin to an SUV than a traditional truck. This makes it incredibly comfortable for daily driving. Guys, you'll really notice the difference on those long commutes!
• Versatile In-Bed Trunk: This is a game-changer. The in-bed trunk offers secure, weatherproof storage, perfect for groceries, tools, or sports gear. It's a feature that truly sets the Ridgeline apart.
• Dual-Action Tailgate: The tailgate can either swing down or open to the side, making loading and unloading cargo much easier. It's a small detail that makes a big difference in usability.
• Standard All-Wheel Drive: The Ridgeline Sport comes standard with all-wheel drive, providing excellent traction and stability in various weather conditions.
• Honda Sensing Safety Suite: This suite of advanced safety features includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking, providing added peace of mind.
• Spacious and Comfortable Interior: The cabin is roomy and well-designed, with comfortable seats and plenty of legroom for both front and rear passengers.

Cons:

• Towing Capacity: While 5,000 pounds is decent, it's less than some of its competitors. If you need to tow heavy loads regularly, this might be a limiting factor.
• Off-Road Capability: The Ridgeline is capable off-road, but it's not as rugged as some other trucks. It's best suited for moderate trails and unpaved roads.
• Styling: The Ridgeline's styling is somewhat polarizing. Some people love its unique look, while others prefer the more traditional truck appearance.
• Infotainment System: While the infotainment system is user-friendly, it's not the most advanced on the market. Some competitors offer larger screens and more features.

Is the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport Worth It?

So, after all that, is the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport worth your hard-earned cash? The answer, like with most things, depends on your specific needs and priorities.

If you're looking for a truck that offers a comfortable ride, versatile features, and good fuel economy, the Ridgeline Sport is definitely worth considering. Its unibody construction, in-bed trunk, and dual-action tailgate make it a standout choice in the mid-size truck segment.

However, if you need a truck with maximum towing capacity or serious off-road capabilities, you might want to look elsewhere. The Ridgeline's towing capacity is lower than some of its competitors, and its off-road prowess is limited.

Ultimately, the best way to decide if the Ridgeline Sport is right for you is to take it for a test drive. See how it feels on the road, try out the features, and compare it to other trucks in its class. If you value comfort, versatility, and safety, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport could be the perfect truck for you. Trust me, you will not regret it!