The Honda Ridgeline is a one of the kind pickup truck on the roads of the US. What it makes special is the SUV-based, unibody design and combined with the fully independent suspension, this truck provides an unmatched ride quality and comfort. The Ridgeline is still capable to carry plenty of cargo and tow up to 5, 000 pounds. Still, it would be better with the extra off-road capability but the Ridgeline is well-equipped and well-rounded truck which can get the job done.
For the 2019 model year, the Ridgeline is unchanged. It arrived the all-new for the model year 2017. The new round of the upgrades should come for the 2020 model year. Honda promised at the begging of the year that its light truck lineup will get the hybrid powertrain and the Ridgeline should also be electrified. Honda also said that the models will employ the two-motor hybrid system which is now the part of the Accord sedan lineup.
As for Honda’s mid-size pickup truck, it should arrive for the 2020 model year with the hybrid powertrain. The 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid hasn’t yet been spotted on the road but it shouldn’t look much different from the current version. The powertrain should be the version of the two-motor system used in the new Accord sedan.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid: Design
The Ridgeline uses the Pilot SUV-derived platform and the styling also shares the same theme. The front section of the truck has very similar contours and elements as the popular SUV while the cargo bed with two-mode tailgate transforms it to more utility vehicle.
From the visual aspect, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid won’t differ much from the other versions in the lineup. Still, there should be a few modifications on the Ridgeline’s exterior for the new model year. The new headlights combined with refreshed grille version should appear and some changes will also be seen on the front and rear bumpers. The changes should mimic the theme we can see on the redesigned Accord sedan.
The hybrid version should also get a few unique touches like the wheel design, exterior details and appropriate badging.
Interior:
Interior of the new Ridgeline won’t also be the large departure from the current form. The Pilot SUV-like design should also evolve with subtle material updates and unique textures. The model should also adopt the updated version of Honda’s infotainment system.
The Ridgeline will return in the four-door, crew cab style only which provides the most of the interior comfort.
The safety will also be the strong side of this ute as Honda will offer the Honda Sensing Suite in all versions. The package includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, etc.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid: Powertrain
The Ridgeline exploits Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine in the combination with the six-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive can be swapped with all-wheel drive. However, the Ridgeline lacks the low range gearing and hence the off-road capability of other trucks and the decent 7.9 inches of ground clearance also limits the off-road adventures.
As for the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid version, this model will use some form of the two-motor hybrid system exploited in the Accord sedan. An Atkinson cycle 2.0-liter engine makes 143 hp. A pair of 181-hp electric motors is also the part of the hybrid system in the Accord sedan and the total output is 212 hp. The similar setup, Honda will use for the Ridgeline Hybrid but with improved power and torque.
The hybrid powertrain would bring slightly improved fuel economy. The front-wheel-drive Ridgeline achieves now 19 mpg city and 26 highways. The hybrid version should reach around 30 mpg highway.
There is also a possibility of the turbocharged powertrain for the 2020 Ridgeline. The redesigned Accord sedan replaced its V-6 unit with Civic’s 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine and it could also be in the offer of the new Ridgeline.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid: Arrival, Price
As we mentioned earlier, there are no many details about the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid. Honda will come out with more details closer to the launch date which should be in the second half of 2019.
The price of the 2019 Ridgeline starts from $29, 990. The top-of-the-line Black Edition version is available for $43, 420. The first estimation puts the Ridgeline hybrid version to mid-to-high thirties.
