The Honda Ridgeline pickup has been on the market for three years now, but it was always criticized for looking too much like a car. The 2021 Ridgeline debuts with a more truck-like front fascia, losing the Honda Pilot look. We also see new bumpers and wheel arches.

The new Ridgeline's new front end features a bigger, more squared grille that gives a tough impression. A more sporty design for the fog lights and lower fascia replaces the older, more boring one. The wheel arches now include more extensive black surrounds. Also, the new headlights are accompanied by a sharper horizontal chrome line that runs through the grille. The facelift adds a new crossbar and skidplate in front, as well as less black plastic on the bumper. A new twin-exhaust setup further promotes the tweaked rear bumper and 18-inch wheels. To add more excitement, a new styling package brings a rugged grille and fender flares, unique graphics along the bed wall, and cool bronze wheels.

The interior also gets an upgrade with a new infotainment system with new graphics, controls, and knobs (Honda finally added a volume knob). Also, several trims receive brand-new seat stitching patterns. A tweaked steering wheel and new center console materials are now available in Sport, RTL, and RTL-E trim levels. A 3.5 liter V6 appears in every Ridgeline, and it makes up to 280 hp. It also receives a nine-speed automatic transmission that is found in the Pilot and Passport SUVs (they relate closely to the Ridgeline design-wise). Front wheel drive is standard in most trims, but an advanced all wheel drive system is available too.

With AWD, the Ridgeline's towing capacity is upgraded to best-in-class with its 5,000 pound towing capacity. With an extra-wide bed, the Ridgeline is apparently the only truck in its segment that can carry four-foot-wide items like plywood. For 2021, the Ridgeline comes standard with Honda Sensing. It includes a wide variety of active safety features. Pricing hasn't been announced, but we expect to hear from Honda before the truck's early 2021 on-sale date.

Source Credits: CarBuzz