The current-generation Honda Ridgeline was released for the 2017 model year and will now receive an update for the 2020 model year. Contrary to a recent leak, which claimed the Ridgeline would gain a four-cylinder hybrid variant, the lone engine option with be a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. But unlike last year's model, which used a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2020 Ridgeline will get the same nine-speed unit found in the current Passport and Pilot.
Along with the new transmission, Honda has made some changes to the Ridgeline's trim levels and pricing structure for 2020. It is now available in Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims. The base RT trim and mid-level RTL-T trim are both gone, meaning this 2020 is more expensive than last year's model.
Pricing for the Sport trim starts at $33,900 for 2WD or $36,140 for AWD. Stepping up to the RTL trim costs $36,670 for 2WD or $38,820 for AWD while the RTL-E trim is only available with AWD for $42,020. The most expensive Black Edition trim is also available with AWD only starting at $43,520. All prices exclude a $1,095 destination charge.
The addition of three gears somehow hasn't done much to improve fuel economy. 2WD Ridgeline models are rated at 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined, which is the same as last year's model. AWD models are rated at 19/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined, a small improvement of one-mpg in the city but a loss on one-mpg on the highway.
The Ridgeline is effectively $3,910 more than last year's model but with the base trim eliminated, it is now more well-equipped. All Ridgeline models now include the Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety and driver-assist features including Collision Mitigation Braking with Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The 2020 Ridgeline now comes standard with Honda's Display Audio system with an eight-inch touchscreen and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration.
Honda says the 2020 Ridgeline will be available at dealerships starting on December 16th.