Honda will try to make a breakthrough to the market with the new version of the Ridgeline truck. The sales are not satisfying and the sporty pickup needs radical changes to improve the position in the market. There are rumors about the upcoming 2021 Honda Ridgeline and special versions it brings.
The redesign will refresh the look of the front fascia. Updates will make the truck even more aggressive. Besides that, the Black Edition is taking the game to the next level. It is the top of the class trim. For now. The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R might finally happen. That is a whole new world for this nameplate, with improved specs and look. Speaking of specifications, the truck might become the first hybrid vehicle in the segment. Well, we will see the Pilot SUV first with such configuration. Tests are ongoing and the system might be introduced soon.
V6 Specs
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline will keep a V6 as the main choice. The 3.5-liter displacement is one of the most reliable units you will find in the segment. It delivers 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The truck is not there to tow a lot, since it uses a unibody platform. Still, the towing capacity is still respectable 5,000 pounds. The new Ridgeline is going to be lighter, so a better fuel economy is one of the expectations. The truck will make about 24 mpg on average. A nine-pace automatic transmission sends power to front wheels, or optionally to the AWD system. Honda uses a cylinder deactivation system to save gasoline.
Hybrid Engine Rumors
One of the biggest changes we could see in the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a hybrid engine. The company is not confirming this speculation, but there are spy photos of the Honda Pilot with the PHEV system. The SUV and the truck are based on the same platform and vehicles are using the same powertrain. Still, the SUV class is being way more popular and it is going to debut first when the hybrid engine is ready to happen.
Honda is serious about this move. We already saw a quick response to Rav4 Hybrid and now CR-V can offer more than 40 mpg. The next step is the mid-size SUV segment, and pickup class since these are similar models. The Japanese company already offers the Hybrid model but in the luxury tier. Acura MDX is based on a 3.0-liter engine and delivers 320 hp. That is enough both for Ridgeline and Pilot.
2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R
Speaking of Acura SUV, the MDX could get the Type S version. Since we don’t have any info about 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R, we can base expectations upon rumors coming from the luxury SUV segment. According to speculations, engineers are retuning the existing hybrid system. When the work is done, the Type S package will be introduced with 400 horsepower coming from the PHEV setup. The vehicle will be able to cover some distance by using only an electric motor. Still, precise details are far away from the official. Spy photos of Pilot are available, but 2021 Ridgeline Type R and Acura MDX Type S haven’t been spotted yet. Honda is not adding these performance-oriented versions so easily. So, for now, all of these stories are just speculations without foundation.
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2021 Honda Ridgeline Redesign Details
The new look should be part of the shocking therapy for the pickup truck. That is exactly what does the Ridgeline needs. Changes on the exterior will lure more buyers, while the revisit of the interior can make the pickup more convenient. If the Type R happens, that will make the offer more aggressive. Still, that will cost extra, and the truck is already one of the most expensive in the market. On the other hand, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline is not offering a four-cylinder engine for the entry-level model.
Until the Type R appears, the 2021 Ridgeline Black Edition is going to be top of the class model. Designers revisited the truck inside and out with special upgrades. The cabin now offers leather upholstery and red ambient lighting. The exterior is more appealing with black wheels and other details. Other models in the lineup are Sport, RTL, and RTL-E. The highlight of the versatile truck is its 2-way bed, which will offer an audio system.
When Will 2021 Honda Ridgeline Be Available?
The base price of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline will jump because of the new look and features. We can expect the truck around $36,000 while the Black Edition will cost closer to $50,000. Type R is the special package and the price will depend on all the features it gets. We will know more about the upcoming truck when the company introduces all the changes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic postponed all the major auto shows in the world, Honda might organize a private party for the premiere of the pickup truck.