I've decided to provide a review of my 2022 Ridgeline RTL after owning for 3 years.
First, all reviews are biased by the perspective of the owner, which I will share now:
Summary: The Ridgeline is everything I thought it would be, and maybe some more. It fits in my garage, has ample room (much more than mid size pickup), and does everything I need it to do.
Best Feature: Hands down, the trunk. This feature alone provides as much as or more usable cargo space than a full size truck with a crew cab and 5.5' bed.
Driving Impressions: This vehicle has the smoothest drivetrain of any vehicle I've owned or driven, including Lexus, Jaguar, many Fords, Toyota, etc. I've found the transmission and motor are well matched, and have been incredible impressed, including while towing. Driving dynamics are nice for a "truck". I definitely notice when the truck is loaded down, especially if the wait is distributed behind the rear axle. The steering is light and nimble; I wish it was a bit tighter and more precise. The steering is easy but requires more driver input than most of the Fords that I'm used to with tighter steering.
Gas Mileage: The computer shows about .8 to 1 MPG better than what I actually measure. I average about 22 MPG. I've gotten up to 32 MPG under ideal conditions for up to 80 miles when I ran out of flat road, and that was with the whole family in the car with a bed full of luggage. It is normal for me to achieve 26-28 mpg on trips, again even while carrying a load. When towing 3,000 pounds over the mountains I will average 14 mpg.
Biggest Complaint: Auto shutoff feature. I pull into my garage, the engine shuts off, and then immediately starts up again as I'm shutting it off. Completely unnecessary. I would install idlestop, but I'm afraid of that orange light constantly nagging at me.
Issues: I've had a few minor problems. Recently there has been an issue with the electronic locks. It is set to NOT lock when walking away, but it does, even after resetting it multiple times. I had a minor issue with the weather stripping along the drivers window. Both items I plan to have addressed at the dealership prior to warranty expiring.
Electronics: They are fine. Would be nice to have wireless Android Auto/ Carplay, as the corded connection is often intermittent. I plan to remedy this with a wireless adapter/ new USB cord. The driver assist features are functional, but not great. This doesn't really bother me because I don't rely on them. I do use the lane and steering assistance while driving on the highway as it slightly reduces driver fatigue on long trips.
Reservations: I had reservations about the ground clearance and towing abilities. I have had zero issues here. I just drive responsibly and slowly when off road. It does everything a half ton would do, I just baby it a little more than I would with a half ton because I'm particular about taking care of my vehicles. I've never scraped the bottom.
Snow & Traction: It's been excellent, and I've been in a few extreme circumstances with snow off road.
Utility: As mentioned in some other areas, it has been good. I've used it for hunting/ fishing/ construction/ towing etc. Its does everything my friend's half tons do, and somethings it does better because the truck bed is more accessible with the swing out tailgate and lower bed floor.
Final Thoughts: Growing up with trucks, minivans, and large SUVs...after three years I do not regret buying the Ridgeline as a family vehicle. It would be nice to have more room in the rear of the cabin for my sons who will likely soon be over 6', but I won't give it up because it fits in my garage and just has much more utility than an SUV. I was hesitant to give up the third row in our SUV, but I only miss that about 2 days a year, while I'm happy for the truck bed 363 days a year. In my opinion, the Ridgeline is better suited for most people than an SUV, full size half ton, or midsize pickup.
If you are on the fence, and have a need for utility more so than technology or the coolest vehicle, buy the Ridgeline!
First, all reviews are biased by the perspective of the owner, which I will share now:
- I'm using as a daily driver for commuting, work, family, and play. It is our primary family vehicle.
- I have two teenage sons, plus the wife.
- Beyond normal family use around town, I do use the vehicle for hunting, fishing, and light farm use including towing in the mountains which equates to about half of my mileage.
- I've been averaging 10k miles per year.
- My perspective on vehicles is broad, as I grew up in a multigenerational family business that included a car dealership and construction company.
- Past vehicles include wagons, sedans, Ford escapes, Ford explorers. I've driven heavy duty work trucks from a young age, so I know what a "real" truck is...
- Occupation is engineering/ construction/ management in the natural resources field.
Summary: The Ridgeline is everything I thought it would be, and maybe some more. It fits in my garage, has ample room (much more than mid size pickup), and does everything I need it to do.
Best Feature: Hands down, the trunk. This feature alone provides as much as or more usable cargo space than a full size truck with a crew cab and 5.5' bed.
Driving Impressions: This vehicle has the smoothest drivetrain of any vehicle I've owned or driven, including Lexus, Jaguar, many Fords, Toyota, etc. I've found the transmission and motor are well matched, and have been incredible impressed, including while towing. Driving dynamics are nice for a "truck". I definitely notice when the truck is loaded down, especially if the wait is distributed behind the rear axle. The steering is light and nimble; I wish it was a bit tighter and more precise. The steering is easy but requires more driver input than most of the Fords that I'm used to with tighter steering.
Gas Mileage: The computer shows about .8 to 1 MPG better than what I actually measure. I average about 22 MPG. I've gotten up to 32 MPG under ideal conditions for up to 80 miles when I ran out of flat road, and that was with the whole family in the car with a bed full of luggage. It is normal for me to achieve 26-28 mpg on trips, again even while carrying a load. When towing 3,000 pounds over the mountains I will average 14 mpg.
Biggest Complaint: Auto shutoff feature. I pull into my garage, the engine shuts off, and then immediately starts up again as I'm shutting it off. Completely unnecessary. I would install idlestop, but I'm afraid of that orange light constantly nagging at me.
Issues: I've had a few minor problems. Recently there has been an issue with the electronic locks. It is set to NOT lock when walking away, but it does, even after resetting it multiple times. I had a minor issue with the weather stripping along the drivers window. Both items I plan to have addressed at the dealership prior to warranty expiring.
Electronics: They are fine. Would be nice to have wireless Android Auto/ Carplay, as the corded connection is often intermittent. I plan to remedy this with a wireless adapter/ new USB cord. The driver assist features are functional, but not great. This doesn't really bother me because I don't rely on them. I do use the lane and steering assistance while driving on the highway as it slightly reduces driver fatigue on long trips.
Reservations: I had reservations about the ground clearance and towing abilities. I have had zero issues here. I just drive responsibly and slowly when off road. It does everything a half ton would do, I just baby it a little more than I would with a half ton because I'm particular about taking care of my vehicles. I've never scraped the bottom.
Snow & Traction: It's been excellent, and I've been in a few extreme circumstances with snow off road.
Utility: As mentioned in some other areas, it has been good. I've used it for hunting/ fishing/ construction/ towing etc. Its does everything my friend's half tons do, and somethings it does better because the truck bed is more accessible with the swing out tailgate and lower bed floor.
Final Thoughts: Growing up with trucks, minivans, and large SUVs...after three years I do not regret buying the Ridgeline as a family vehicle. It would be nice to have more room in the rear of the cabin for my sons who will likely soon be over 6', but I won't give it up because it fits in my garage and just has much more utility than an SUV. I was hesitant to give up the third row in our SUV, but I only miss that about 2 days a year, while I'm happy for the truck bed 363 days a year. In my opinion, the Ridgeline is better suited for most people than an SUV, full size half ton, or midsize pickup.
If you are on the fence, and have a need for utility more so than technology or the coolest vehicle, buy the Ridgeline!
