We're guessing that it's impossible to convince a majority of the truck-buying population that the 2021 Honda Ridgeline would be right for them. Quite simply, to them, the Ridgeline is not a truck. It may have a pickup bed, but its unibody crossover architecture stands in sharp contrast to the body-on-frame truck norm. It can also tow only 5,000 pounds, has minimal ground clearance and just one cab/bed/powertrain combination. As such, the styling updates made for 2021 to make the Ridgeline look more macho seem unlikely to make much of a difference. If it looks like a duck, but you know it's a goose, it still isn't a duck. Also, a lot of the macho-look heavy lifting comes courtesy of the new HPD Performance package, pictured here. Other '21 Ridgelines don't go quite as far.
So the Ridgeline still may be a goose, but that's not actually a bad thing considering its unique crossover architecture grants it a multitude of advantages not shared by other, "real" midsize trucks. It rides and handles far better; its interior is more spacious, comfortable and quiet (it also has better storage and higher-quality materials); and its unique bed features a 7.9-cubic-foot trunk, the Dual Action tailgate that drops down and swings out, and the availability to turn itself into a giant speaker. It's a tailgater’s dream. So even if it's isn't a real truck, plenty of real people will still find plenty to like about the 2021 Ridgeline.
The Ridgeline looks a little more rugged for 2021 (and a little less like a Pilot) courtesy of a bigger, blockier grille, a new bumper, twin exhausts and an available HPD Performance package that further beefs things up with a unique grille treatment, black fender flares, all-terrain tires and gold wheels. It's available on all trim levels, including the base Sport (pictured).
Other updates include a wider track width and all-wheel drive being made standard (no more front-drive Ridgeline). There's also now a volume knob, but the rest of the underwhelming infotainment system remains the same.
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