Don’t Buy a New Ford Ranger Without Considering Honda’s Black Sheep Truck
Are you planning to buy a new truck like the Ford Ranger? The 2022 Honda Ridgeline should be on your radar.
Written by Alex Healey
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
From the Rivian to the Hummer EV truck, 2022 looks like it is going to be a very interesting year for pickups. If you are looking for something more traditional, the 2022
Ford
Ranger has been praised for its hauling and towing capabilities, but it suffers from clumsy handling and poor ride quality. And while Ford is known for making some of the more affordable trucks to buy, the Ranger is one of
most expensive trucks to insure
, so if you’re worried about recurring costs there are better options out there.One such option is the 2022 Honda Ridgeline. Widely considered to be a “Black Sheep” in the midsize truck family, there’s an awful lot to admire about this sporty pickup.
2022 Ford Ranger vs. 2022 Honda Ridgeline
Kelley Blue Book
(KBB) explains that the Honda Ridgeline’s biggest drawback, and the reason many truck fans won’t give it a second glance, is its unibody frame. This means the frame and body of the car is manufactured as one piece, making it more similar to a crossover than a traditional truck. That said, the Ridgeline’s SUV underpinnings have been strengthened this year.
Most trucks designed for regular heavy duty work (like the Ford Ranger) are built body-on-frame. This means the body is built separately, and then mounted on a strong chassis that houses the powertrain.
But aside from this potential weak spot, the Honda Ridgeline has a lot going for it.
KBB praises its 3.5-liter V6 engine and responsive all-wheel drive, in addition to its excellent build quality and resale value.
Because it’s a Honda, the Ridgeline has excellent safety features, underlined by a 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In comparison, the Ford Ranger is much better off-road, and boasts a spectacular payload and towing capacity.
Unfortunately, and this is a criticism that has been levied at almost every generation of Ford Ranger, the 2022 model isn’t very comfortable and the handling is unwieldy.
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline: a perfect fit for modern truck drivers?
The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is not rugged enough for heavy duty work or serious off-roading, but for modern truck drivers who spend most of their time on asphalt, it is a great choice.
It offers a roomy cabin, and thanks to its unibody design, a much more comfortable ride than other vehicles in the midsize pickup class.
For the times you do have to put it to work, the Ridgeline has a built in cargo box, and a better-than-expected payload capacity of 1,583 lbs.
Are you in the market for a new truck? Compare quotes with
Jerry
to find the lowest rate. Our secure app will quickly search prices from 50+ insurance companies, and the average user saves $887 a year.
4.7
