2024 Honda Ridgeline vs 2023 RAM 1500

Do you remember when pickup trucks were used only by construction workers and gardeners? They were work machines, meant to have scratched beds, a cab full of McDonald’s wrappers, and a big dent on the tailgate from an unfortunate run-in with a telephone pole.

Not anymore. Today’s trucks give luxury vehicles a run for their money, with fancy features and ridiculous amounts of technology. Today we’re looking at the 2023 Ram 1500. This truck hasn’t gotten a major update since 2019, and while it still holds its own next to the offerings from Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota, the others are catching up quickly.

This year, the 2024 Honda Ridgeline gets several updates that make the unibody crew-cab, short-bed truck more appealing. Foremost among them is a new TrailSport trim level with an off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, underbody protection, and an available exclusive Diffused Sky blue paint colour. Tech updates and a new centre console modernize the interior, and the dual-action tailgate now says RIDGELINE in big letters, just like other trucks.

Verdict: With those changes to the 2024 Ridgeline, Honda makes its midsize pickup truck more appealing than ever. If you won’t need more than 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) of towing capacity and have no plans to tackle technical terrain, a Honda Ridgeline is almost perfect. Why? It is endlessly practical and a terrific daily driver deserving more consideration than it gets.