The Honda website should have all your answers and it's pretty easy to navigate through for all the trim levels, at least it was when I was looking.

Edit: I must have missed your part about online. They're website didn't break down trim level headlights?

 

Sub'd to follow in hope of an answer - having scoured every Honda website 'spec' page for every trim level, the downloaded sales brochure, and the downloaded owner's manual, I empathize with your plight @Commodore.

While not perfect, I love to find something as detailed as the annual Build/Order Guide that can be found for Fords.

FWIW there's some fairly comprehensive and detailed info about the 2017 trim-level differences in this 2017 Honda Ridgeline Press Kit (gotta read it all closely for maximum benefit) but I've not found anything similar for the 2019 and there may be feature differences between those model years?

 

The Honda site is mostly 'meat'. I want to know about the 'potatoes' as well. Short of asking the dealer for the keys to a new Ridglines RTL and RTL-T and then sending him off to lunch so I can find out for my self I haven't found the detailed spec sheet I was hoping to find.
I'll have all my answers soon enough as I'm taking delivery on a 2019 RTL next week to replace my 2017 RTL-T. Getting an RTL rather than an RTL-T means I'll be giving up that wonderful knob less sound system (yea! plus the base system sounds pretty good), a SatNav system (hello WAZE), iPhone/Android connectivity (hardly a deal breaker - besides I drive more than talk on the phone), Sirius radio (no loss and I won't miss all the drop outs due to the mountains in my location) and LED DRLs (no big deal - I can't see them from inside the truck anyway). There might be a few other things I've missed and that's why I wanted a proper spec sheet.
Frankly there is enough content in a RTL to keep most anyone happy. Bonus! I pick up a back window power slider and a 'moon roof' and all for a lower base price. Thanks for your quick reply.

 

No auto dimming mirror, side camera, lighted visor.

 

Personally, for me, I was able to determine the equipment of each trim, somewhat, on the Honda site. I do think the site is not user-friendly. I found that I had to look at all trim levels to determine each trim levels equipment. Honda's site definitely could use improvement. I did find out I had heated mirrors, only when switching to the wide view mirror and the salesperson said I had auto dimming headlight, which it doesn't and only verifiable on the highway at night.

 

Does anyone know if the trim-level differences detailed in the 2017 press kit I linked in post 3 above (EDIT - and now attached here as a PDF) are the same through 2019?

I'm new to (considering a) Honda and don't have any feel for how much those details likely change year-to-year within a 'model generation'?

Ford quite often 'shuffles' those devilish trim-level details year-to-year, even within a 'generation' of a model - I've no idea if Honda does the same.

Thanks in Advance !

 

Does anyone know if the trim-level differences detailed in the 2017 press kit I linked in post 3 above are the same through 2019?

The trim level standard features change from year to year. The 2017 press kit is not accurate for the 2019 models.

 

Other than Honda.com the Ridgeline Wikipedia has lots of information Honda Ridgeline Wiki

Off the top of my head, changes are dual horns, sunroof and sliding rear window we’re added to RTL & RTL-T, no longer just RTL-E & BE.

 

I thought the 2018 brochure contained all the details, but maybe I'm remembering wrong. You just had to start with the lower trim levels and each higher level added additional features. The only features you would lose are obvious, such as no cloth seats if you have leather, or no basic stereo if you have an upgraded stereo.

If they added the good headlights to more trim levels that is great. I thought it was only available on the top level in 2018, or the top two if you count the Black Edition as being a level above the E.

 

Hey thanks guys - no need to keep flogging it, I'll figure it out no worries.

Fact is I'm likely to wait 'till the '20 is out to make a move and there I do expect more 'feature tweaks' (at least).

I do appreciate the info on this forum, continuing to lurk and y'all have definitely got me very re-interested in the Ridgeline.

 

I wish auto head lights and rain sensing wipers were standard on all trims (or at least more trims). It's 2019, I'd rather have those than Honda Sensing. Maybe Honda Sensing will be improved for 2020. As it is today, it adds little value to me. Not enough to justify buying a RTL-E over a RTL.

 

Maybe this isn't what you are looking for, but if you go to the Honda website, click on "Shopping Tools", "Compare Vehicles", select the Ridgeline, then select "Trim Comparison", you get a nice chart with all the features and which trim includes them.

 

One more flog:https://hondanews.com/honda-automob...hannels/ridgeline-specs-features/releases/2019-rideline-specifications-features

Although that site says the RTL does not come with the conversation mirror/sunglasses holder, mine did.

 

Thanks, we like the Excel format of the download :grin:

 

I bought the 2017 RTL-E for towing purposes and because it had the lane keeping and adaptive cruise control. It still feels and smells brand new. I wouldn't have anything other than a Honda from now on unless I had to tow over 5k lbs. As for lighting, what does it matter, it is going to be adequate and more than that is just for bragging rights not utility.

 

As for lighting, what does it matter, it is going to be adequate and more than that is just for bragging rights not utility.

OH, no - the Ridgeline's LED headlights are VERY functional. The halogen projectors on the RTL-T and lower trims were given the lowest possible rating of "poor" by the IIHS due to inadequate illumination. The LED projectors on the RTL-E/BE were given the highest possible rating of "good". The difference in headlight illumination between the lower and upper Ridgeline trims is "night and day" - almost literally.

The LED projectors provide at least 5 lux of light over 100 feet farther straight ahead than the halogen projectors. At 70 MPH, this gives you an entire second more time to react which can easily mean the difference between avoiding a collision or risking the loss of life and/or property.

 

You have to start with the lowest model. On Honda's site it will say something like the upgraded model comes with everything the base has PLUS and then it lists the additional features. I think you're reading it top to bottom and it should be read cheapest model first

 

No they're different. I traded in my 2017 RTL-T for a 2019 RTL-T. They've brought back the moon roof and sliding back window on the 2019s. Everything else is pretty much the same.

 

If I remember right, the LED headlights are effective to about 350 ft., the other ones only to about 150 ft. That is a huge difference. The RL goes from 60 to zero in 134 feet (142 ft. on wet pavement) with good tires & if not carrying much weight or towing. That gives you virtually no time to react when driving 60 at night with the regular headlights, yet plenty of drivers are barrelling along at 65 or 70. You need to be driving much slower unless you only drive on roads that have lights. People who drive in mountain and rural areas are in great danger of deer or other animal collisions, as well as other problems on the road. The better headlights are an immense improvement.

 

It's not quite that bad, but it's still easy to overdrive the headlights on the lower trims.

On the right side of the road the lower trims provide 5 lux of illumination at ~240 ft vs. ~360 ft. on the upper trims.
On the left side of the road, the lower trims provide 5 lux of illumination at ~100 ft. vs. ~175 ft. on the upper trims.

RTL-T and lower
"On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests."

RTL-E and BE
"On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves, and inadequate on the gradual left curve."

https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/honda/ridgeline-crew-cab-pickup (Click the "Headlights" tab)

 

I've used the following page on Honda's website to see what is in the different trim levels. Pretty comprehensive.
https://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline#specifications

 

....stirring the pot... >

Canadian trims (only 4)....but well laid out comparison on features/specs differences. :smile:

https://www.honda.ca/ridgeline/specs

 

Didn't read all posted but from the press kit for 2017 the RTL-E/Black Edition had the extra layer barrier in floor something. Also it was something about arm rest ratcheting for passenger seat in lower trim models or did they change that.