2021 Ridgeline HPD — Honda Performance doesn’t develop any performance



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(August 26, 2021) For 2021, the second-generation Ridgeline now in its fourth year is taking a page out of Toyota’s playbook by introducing the Ridgeline HPD package. HPD stands for Honda Performance Development and is to Honda what the TRD brand (Toyota Racing Development) is to Toyota. The HPD package for $2,800 is available on all Ridgeline trim levels include wide flat black plastic fender flares, a unique black plastic grille, specific bronze-colored wheels that look like they were lifted from a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am and vinyl HPD graphics affixed to the rear fenders.

            
Oddly, the “Performance Development” doesn’t develop any performance. This is an appearance package only void of any suspension or powertrain enhancements. Our HPD package was an add-on to the entry-level Ridgeline Sport with a starting price of $36,490.

By comparison, the similar sized Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro takes the well beyond an after-market makeup session with genuine off-road toughness including suspension spring lifts with Fox internal-bypass shocks, a sport exhaust, a front skid plate, TRD branded wheels and dedicated design elements.

All Ridgeline trim levels are powered by the 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive that rides on new 18-inch wheels. It’s the same V-6 engine that powers its Pilot, Passport and Odyssey minivan siblings. The combination is a smooth, silky drivetrain with adequate power to fulfill most buyers needs with a payload capacity of 1500 pounds in its cargo bed and a towing capacity of 5000 pounds.

While the Ridgeline is no real match for the TRD Pro, it will handle virtually anything it’s asked to do by most drivers. There’s ample ground clearance and suspension capability for rough terrain trail driving and the three off-road drive settings — Mud, Snow, and Sand optimizes the Ridgeline settings best for those conditions. Unlike most off-road capable trucks there’s no low range or crawl setting for negotiating deep mud, boulders or desert sand all found here in Arizona where I tested the Ridgeline and not even close to tackling the Rubicon Trail.

The Ridgeline has always been an outlier in the mid-sized truck market. It doesn’t look like competitors such as the Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger or the GM twins and mostly looks like a Honda Pilot crossover with a cargo bed which is mostly what it is. However, this second-generation Ridgeline’s appearance is much improved over its predecessor with its peculiar styling.

With independent suspension used in both the front and rear It also doesn’t ride like its competitors and is the most quiet and comfortable on-road use of the bunch. The ride is smooth, and void of the bouncy, jiggly ride found in other brands. It makes for a perfect vehicle as a daily driver yet functional for weekend hauling, camping, off-road use on weekends.

Inside the cab appears to have been lifted in tack and identical from its Pilot SUV sibling. It’s nicely finished with the same trim and quality materials. Seats are roomy and comfortable and several steps ahead from its Tacoma, Frontier and Ranger counterparts.

All Ridgeline trim levels come standard with an 8-inch touch screen operating system that’s easy to read and use however its glossy screen reflects sunlight glare and fingerprints easily. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are compatible and there’s redundant steering wheel controls for the audio system.  But the tech system isn’t the easiest to use with system logic that makes it hard to find what you are looking for. There’s an available truck cargo bed audio system that includes six speakers embedded in the cargo bed walls. It can function as either the stereo or Bluetooth-enabled audio device.

We especially liked the features in the cargo bed such as the dual-action tailgate that can flip down or swing away like a door. There’s a huge lockable, in-bed cargo bin that’s great for storing packages, gear or as an oversize beverage cooler (it has a drain plug). The bed itself is shallow and not as deep as competitors. We also liked the remote locking feature for the tailgate.

Standard safety features include collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, rear cross traffic warning and road departure mitigation. There’s lane departure/lane keeping assistance that operates between 45 to 90 mph.

Things we especially didn’t like about the Ridgeline was the absence of blind spot alert/monitoring, no heated seats, and no available Sirius Satellite radio. We think these are serious omissions for Honda and are most likely a deal breaker for many car shoppers. We also didn’t care for the HPD appearance package, and it has a too wide turning radius making parking generally a three-point function.

Our test Ridgeline was finished the $395 optional platinum white and with the cartoonish HPD graphics, the much too wide wheel opening cladding and chunky exterior styling it could pass for a state Highway Patrol vehicle or border protection vehicle of some sort. This styling detracts not adds to the appeal of the Ridgeline and was met with numerous comments from passersby who negatively commented on its appearance.

Rather than spend $2,800 for the HPD trim package we think the money is better spent moving up from the Sport trim level to the RTL trim level for about the same money but adding leather trimmed seating, a power moonroof, blind spot information system and heated front seats.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $37,775
Price as tested: $40,860
Engine/Transmission: 280 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive.
EPA Fuel Economy: 18/24/21 – mpg – City/Highway/Combined
Seating: Five

Crash Test Safety Ratings:
Overall highest possible five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Where Built: Lincoln, Alabama

Competes With:
Chevrolet Colorado
Ford Ranger
GMC Canyon
Nissan Frontier
Toyota Tacoma

Fab Features:
Innovative dual action tailgate and cargo bed features
Comfortable, quiet ride
Standard all-wheel drive