When you start looking for hold-over models at the end of the year, you are going to find that some models will be harder to find at that time. I find that most want the added features with the upper models in todays market, but the Sport model does come well equipped with many of the features that the upper models have, or should I say base equipment and the base equipment is a well equipped vehicle. Most of the upper models is just electronic features and if you don't care about all that stuff, then the Sport would be the way to go. I would buy the model with the features that you want, not what others might want. Your iPhone will handle many of your electronic needs and the cost is nothing other then the cost of the phone.

 

Probably the only thing I would miss is the blind spot warning system. Heated seats not as needed with cloth, never use sunroofs (too noisy and my skin does not need any more UV), then there are the possible leaks associated with some sunroofs. I love my 21 Sport.

 

Blind spot warning system is the only feature that I wish my 23 Sport had but still not a big deal. I would prefer not to have a sun roof, I didn't use them in the previous vehicles that I've owned and they can be a source of leaks as the vehicle ages. I'm happy with the Sport, I couldn't justify the extra cost for mostly features that I don't care about. I also like the black trim and wheels on the Sport.

 

Maybe the sunroof but def the sliding rear window.

 

Wait, there's no sliding rear window on the Sport model?

That might be a deal breaker. I love the sliding window on my Gen 1.

 

Thought about talking to the Canadian Sport but I don't need the abuse😎

 

I've been trying to add back those features that I want/need on my 21 Sport, like retrofitting the ratcheting armrest, and the conversation mirror in the overhead console. But one feature I hate not having is power & memory seats/mirrors, and lumbar support. So after the better half drives the car, I spend 30 minutes trying to find the previous seat position.

Sirius XM is also a bummer, but Motorola's wireless Android Auto helps fill that gap somewhat.

But like you, like the lack of chrome accents, the Sport's stock rims, lack of leather (cloth is always the right temperature), and lack of sunroof + sliding rear window.

 

Your going to miss everything but the auto high/low beams that Honda decided to make impossible to turn on/off

 

Just hold the "flash-to-pass" position for about 45 seconds.

 

I’m a bit nervous lack of power seats and ratcheting armrest. My wife has a fully loaded Pilot that I just drove 10hrs round trip so I’m pretty sure I’d get comfortable in the RTL but not sure if a brief test drive will be enough to judge the Sport.

 

blind spot warning system, LED high beams, LED DRL eyebrows, memory seat & mirror

 

All Ridgelines come with halogen high beams, at least in the US.

 

I'm a RTL owner and there are several features the Sport has I would prefer: cloth seats, no sunroof, no chrome. I have no interest in paying for any of the features the higher trims have and would be more than happy with the Sport.

 

The plastic steering wheel is the only thing in my sport that annoyed me. I installed a Wheelskin leather cover on it and problem solved.

 

I do like a balance between simple and modern features that I will use. I deliberately chose the Sport model for those reasons, and the fact that it was the model the dealership was dealing on and not adding an “adjustment“ to. Aaand… the red color with black trim and roof rack and floorboards grabbed my attention. I’ve never been interested in chrome doo-dads.

About the only thing I wish it had was power seats. I dislike sunroofs after having a terrible experience with a brand new Scion. I don’t really miss it but I did use my opening rear window on my Tacoma 3x in the 4 years I owned it, and I understand how that and blind spot warning could be important to some.

 

As an aside I bought a 2013 Tundra "work truck" in 2014, no sliding rear window, no carpet, didn't even have delayed wipers and the lowest level sound system. Never bothered me that much, I eventually added running boards, tonneau cover, high end sound and a "virtual" rear view mirror that virtually eliminated blind spots on the sides and for $85 added delayed wipers.

If you get a good enough deal on a Sport you can certainly "trick it out" for your needs.

 

I miss not being able to chime in about problems with the wireless phone charger, rear window creaks, and sunroof leaks.

Plus, I read about all the fun guys are having de-chroming their Ridgelines so I'm missing out there too.

 

This might not help much, but... In 2021 I test drove a Sport model. I was able to spend some time with it and felt comfortable with the equipment level. I do like the sunroof and rear slider, but they are not 'must have' items for me. I'm fine with cloth instead of leather. The problem was - at the time ALL Sport models in my area were equipped with the 'HPD' package. Which was only tape stripes, bronze-look wheels, and fender flares. Not worth it to me, and it brought the price nearly to the RTL trim. I easily found a fair deal on an RTL (White Plains Honda in NY, very easy to deal with) and am VERY happy with my Ridgeline. Anyway, if you can find a Sport without the HPD package, I think you'll be happy. All the best to you!

 

I would suggest this is primarily an availability and financial decision.

I wouldn't pay $3K more for the higher trim level if you are financing the truck, especially for longer than 3 years and >3% APR.
That said, Cars.com shows there are TWICE as many RTLs as Sports on dealer lots. It is likely you can find and negotiate a better deal on an RTL.

 

This is my second post on the Sport, after watching a YouTube video on the 2023 Sport I personally thing it is a great buy for the price and the vehicle is well equipped as built. I have owned two Ridgelines in the past, a 2008 and 2017, both top edition for there time and both did not have all the features that the Sport of today has. The leather interion, sun roof, and back sliding window would be the big difference and for me that would not be a deal breaker, as I do not use the sun roof, sliding back glass, and now prefer the cloth seats over the leather. My biggest concern on a new vehicle is that it has Apple Car Play and it is standard on todays Ridgelines, I don't need GPS, or other features as the iPhone can do all I need. The Sport could be the best bang for the buck out there today, so if it's in your price range and it works for you, do it.

 

Here is the Honda dealer I have purchased 4 Hondas from in the past, check there pricing and see how it compares to the ones where you live, and yes you can buy for that price. https://www.normreeveshondanorthrichlandhills.com/new-vehicles/ridgeline/

 

I wish you could get the sport with the heated seats, steering wheel and mirrors.

 

Maybe the sunroof but def the sliding rear window.

wait, Sport model doesn't have a sliding rear window? That might be a deal breaker for me. I love that sliding window.

 

I have the RTL-E, but I would rather NOT have the sunroof. There's nothing wrong with it, but I never use it.

I do, however, like the sliding back glass. I use it all summer long to help improve the airflow through the cab at highway speeds. The Ridgeline suffers from a lot of wind buffeting with the driver's window down. Opening the driver's side rear window helps a lot, but opening the back glass about half way seems to completely eliminate it.

I came from a vehicle with heated seats and steering wheel and it would be very difficult to give that up. The heated steering wheel and upgraded audio pushed me to the RTL-E. I prefer cloth seats, but Honda doesn't offer heated cloth in the Ridgeline.

Here's a handy table that summarizes the differences between models:

Specifications - 2023 Honda Ridgeline

www.hondainfocenter.com

 

I miss being able to ask what kind of replacement battery, tires, what type of wax to use, what works best for window cleaning, what touch up paint do I use, best oil, best air filter for my ‘BLACK’ edition. Cuz you know, if you have the black addition all your shit mentioned above is absolutely different than on my sport.

 

I've owned 2 Sports, 2018 & 2020. No sunroof - I'm a ginger so it's better I don't have one. I added leather to my 2018 and may add it to my 2020 at some point. non-powered seats is no big deal. I have zero ragerts on not going to the upper trims levels. But if you can get the RTL for not much more than the Sport, you might as well get it.

 

I have zero ragerts

I think I may know you—do you have a neck tattoo with this statement?

 

Heated mirrors, and blind spot monitoring is about all I miss. Rear slider, if it was a decent size, I would like one.

 

I've seldom used the sunroofs on previous vehicles I've owned and on the Tundra I sold to get the Ridgeline I had a sliding rear window that I don't think I ever used. I don't like a lot of electronics or leather seats, so the Sport package is exactly what I was looking for. Had it for 3 years and zero regrets.