It looks like the Ridgeline will re-confirm its one-of-a-kind reputation once again, considering that the latest reports are suggesting big novelties for the next year. According to these, we could see a hybrid version of the popular truck pretty soon. While the competition among BoF trucks is getting stronger with arrivals of models like Gladiator and Ranger, Honda continues to do things in its way. Therefore, this comfort-oriented pickup truck will remain the most refined model in the class and the new powertrain should also make it even more efficient. The exact 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid specs are still unavailable. However, we may presume that the Japanese manufacturer will rely mostly on proven design solutions and technologies, with a couple of updates, of course.
At this point, we can’t say much about the things like 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid release date, as we are still waiting to hear something from the officials on this matter.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid Powertrain
Of course, the most important part of this model will be its powertrain. According to the latest reports, the new truck will probably use one of its familiar hybrid systems. Two of these are coming to mind at this moment. The first one is a four-cylinder based system from Honda Accord, which features a pretty impressive fuel economy. However, it feels a little bit underpowered for this occasion. So, the new powertrain would probably feature a V6-based system. We expect something similar to what we can find in the Acura MDX.
The luxury crossover combines a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a couple of electric motors that power the rear axle. A combined output goes around 321 horsepower. Such amount of power seems more than enough to provide convenient performance. On the other side, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid towing capacity would probably be a little bit lower compared to the gasoline model. Still, this truck has never been famous for capability, so we presume that potential buyers won’t mind.
How About Fuel Economy?
When it comes to 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid mpg ratings, the MDX Hybrid returns around 27 mpg in a combined ride. We presume that ratings in the Ridgeline would be slightly lower, due to more curb weight. Still, the numbers would certainly be much higher compared to the standard gasoline model, which returns around 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid Design
In terms of base design characteristics, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid won’t be much different than to the standard model. In terms of visual appearance, we count to see a couple of distinctive details. Still, the overall look will remain the same. When it comes to mechanics, the most interesting fact about this truck is that it rides on a unibody platform. This makes it one of a kind on the current market. While traditional body-on-frame truck can tow more, the Ridgeline is far superior in terms of ride quality, which isn’t wonder considering that this truck shares most of its parts with crossovers like Pilot and Passport.
Interior
On the inside, the only notable difference should be a new instrument cluster, typical for the hybrid powertrain. Other than that, we count on the same cabin design as in the standard model, which is characterized by the great overall quality. The Ridgeline features by far the best cabin in the class. It is stylish, full of quality materials and also extremely spacious.
For this occasion, we would probably expect to see a little bit more standard equipment compared to base gasoline models. So, besides push-button start and a seven-speaker audio system with two USB ports, Bluetooth and similar things, the new version should also come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation. Of course, we expect Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the list of standard equipment as well. On the other side, things like a power-sliding rear window, a moonroof, tri-zone automatic climate control will be available.
Safety
The aspect where we expect a lot of improvements is safety. The gasoline model doesn’t feature too many standard safety systems at the moment. A rearview camera is the only standard feature, but things are much better in higher trim levels. You can get all kinds of advanced systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technologies, which includes collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. Many of these should become standard in the new hybrid model.
2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid Release Date and Price
Although many reports are suggesting that the new version could come pretty soon, the fact is that we are still waiting for the official confirmation. Still, if it ever arrives, we presume that the 2020 Honda Ridgeline Hybrid price would be a couple of thousands higher compared to the base gasoline version, which goes around 30.000 dollars.