Three Reasons the Honda Ridgeline Stands Out as a Smart Truck Choice for Year-Round Duty

The truck category is full of capable options, and the Honda Ridgeline does not try to compete on the same terms as every heavy-duty workhorse on the market. What it does instead is deliver a specific, well-executed combination of hauling capability, all-weather traction, and everyday practicality that most pickups do not match in the same package.

If you are weighing a truck purchase and wondering where the Ridgeline fits, these three points explain the case for it clearly.

1. The In-Bed Trunk Changes What a Truck Bed Can Do

The Ridgeline’s most distinctive feature is also its most practical: a 207-litre lockable In-Bed Trunk built into the floor of the cargo bed. No other mainstream truck in Canada offers this.

What it means day to day is significant. Groceries, tools, camping gear, or valuables can be stored completely out of sight and protected from weather and theft, without using up a single cubic centimetre of the open bed above. When the trunk is empty, the sealed floor of the cargo bed provides a flat, clean surface.

The dual-action tailgate adds another layer of practicality. It swings out like a traditional tailgate or opens to the side like a door, depending on what you are loading. Combined with a bed that is 1,625 mm long with the tailgate up (2,108 mm with it down), the Ridgeline’s cargo area handles a wide range of loading situations.

The bed also includes eight heavy-duty tie-down cleats and truck-bed LED lights on the Black Edition trim, rounding out a cargo setup that is notably more versatile than a standard open box.

• In-Bed Trunk: 207 L, lockable and weatherproof
• Cargo bed: 1,625 mm (tailgate up), 2,108 mm (tailgate down)
• Dual-action tailgate: swings down or opens to the side
• Payload capacity: up to 687 kg (1,515 lbs)

2. The i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive System Earns Its Keep in Every Season

The Ridgeline uses the Honda Intelligent Variable Torque Management system (i-VTM4) on all trims, including the Sport. This is a torque-vectoring AWD system that can send up to 70% of available engine torque to the rear axle, and distribute that torque independently between the left and right rear wheels for precise traction management.

Three selectable drive modes, Normal, Snow, and Sand/Mud, let the driver match the system’s behaviour to the conditions. The Snow mode alone is worth noting for anyone who puts regular kilometres on a vehicle through a Canadian winter: it adjusts throttle and transmission response to maintain traction from a standstill on slippery surfaces.

Powering the system is a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4,700 rpm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity reaches 2,267 kg (4,997 lbs) with the accessory towing package.

The Ridgeline’s independent rear suspension (multi-link) is another detail worth flagging: most traditional body-on-frame trucks use a solid rear axle, which trades ride comfort for raw load capacity. The Ridgeline’s setup delivers notably better on-road handling and ride quality, which matters on a vehicle used daily.

3. Honda Sensing Comes Standard on Every Trim

The Ridgeline carries Honda Sensing as standard equipment across all three trims: Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition. This means every buyer gets the full suite of active safety and driver-assistive technology regardless of budget.

Honda Sensing on the Ridgeline includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Information system, Cross Traffic Monitor, and auto high-beam headlights.

Passive safety hardware is equally consistent across trims, with the Honda Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, side curtain airbags with rollover sensor, SmartVent front side airbags, and Hill Start Assist all standard. The TrailSport adds an off-road tuned suspension and all-terrain tires for buyers who take their truck further from the pavement.

Key Takeaways

Explore the Ridgeline at Lallier Honda Pointe-aux-Trembles

The Honda Ridgeline makes the most sense for buyers who want a truck capable enough for real hauling and towing, equipped for all-weather driving, and practical enough to use every day without compromise. The team at Lallier Honda Pointe-aux-Trembles in Pointe-aux-Trembles can walk you through all three trims and help you find the right fit. Come see how the Ridgeline stacks up against your needs in person.