Earlier this year, Honda announced plans to expand the Ridgeline lineup to include a new TrailSport trim for 2024.
Fast forward to today and spy photographers have caught the 2024 Ridgeline undergoing testing. However, it might not be the TrailSport variant as the prototype doesn’t exactly scream off-road focused pickup.
That’s important to note as Honda has previously said the TrailSport trim would enhance the truck’s “rugged capability and design.” As part of this effort, the model is expected to follow in the footsteps of the Pilot TrailSport and adopt a 1 inch (25 mm) lift, unique stabilizer bars, different spring rates, and special damper tuning.
More: 2024 Honda Ridgeline To Get Rugged TrailSport Trim
The crossover also comes equipped with skid plates and exclusive 18-inch wheels wrapped in Continental TerrainContact AT tires. They’re joined by a new Trail mode, a TrailWatch camera system, and an exclusive Trail Torque Logic that enables up to 75% of available power to be sent to the wheel with the most traction.
However, this prototype looks more like a facelifted truck than an off-road focused variant. As you can see, the front fascia is heavily disguised as is the rear end. All of that camouflage seems like overkill for a simple Trailsport variant and a photographer noted it had “signs of a disguised interior” as well.
This seems to suggest the TrailSport variant could be introduced alongside a facelifted Ridgeline. While that remains unconfirmed at this point, the second-generation truck was launched in 2016 and received an update for 2021. Another facelift could keep the truck fresh for a bit longer, while also giving it a better chance to battle the redesigned Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon as well as the upcoming Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger.
As for the current model, it features a 3.5-liter V6 with 280 hp (209 kW / 284 PS) and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to a standard all-wheel drive system.
