Is the Ridgeline on the same chassis as the Pilot?
The Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot are two popular vehicles in Honda's lineup, known for their reliability, versatility, and innovative engineering. While they serve different purposes—one being a midsize pickup truck and the other a family-friendly SUV—they share a surprising amount of DNA. In this article, we’ll explore whether the Ridgeline is built on the same chassis as the Pilot and what that means for drivers.
Shared Platform: The Unibody Construction
Yes, the Honda Ridgeline is built on the same platform as the Honda Pilot. Both vehicles utilize Honda's Global Light Truck platform, which is a unibody construction rather than the traditional body-on-frame design commonly found in trucks. This shared architecture is also used by the Honda Passport and the Honda Odyssey minivan.
The unibody design provides several advantages, including improved ride quality, better handling, and a quieter cabin. However, it also means the Ridgeline is not as rugged as body-on-frame trucks when it comes to heavy-duty off-roading or towing extreme loads.
Key Similarities Between the Ridgeline and Pilot
Because they share the same platform, the Ridgeline and Pilot have several similarities:
- Engine and Powertrain: Both vehicles are powered by Honda's 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering smooth performance and excellent reliability. They also share similar transmission options.
- Interior Features: The cabin design and technology offerings are nearly identical, with both vehicles featuring Honda's infotainment system, comfortable seating, and advanced safety features.
- Suspension System: The independent suspension system is shared, contributing to the Ridgeline's car-like ride quality, which is unusual for a pickup truck.
What Sets the Ridgeline Apart?
Despite their shared platform, the Ridgeline has been engineered to meet the needs of truck buyers. Here are some key differences:
- Truck Bed: The Ridgeline features a unique truck bed with an in-bed trunk and dual-action tailgate, making it highly versatile for hauling and storage.
- Towing Capacity: While not as high as some body-on-frame trucks, the Ridgeline offers a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, which is more than the Pilot.
- Exterior Design: The Ridgeline has a more rugged and utilitarian appearance compared to the Pilot's sleek SUV styling.
Conclusion
The Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot are indeed built on the same unibody platform, which allows them to share many components and characteristics. This design choice makes the Ridgeline a unique offering in the midsize truck market, blending the comfort and refinement of an SUV with the utility of a pickup. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly SUV or a versatile truck, Honda’s engineering ensures you’ll get a reliable and well-rounded vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platform does the Honda Ridgeline share?
The second-generation Ridgeline took a different approach in design from the first generation Ridgeline by sharing Honda's new "global light truck platform," used for the third-generation Honda Pilot as well as other large Honda vehicles.
Is the Honda Ridgeline on the same platform as the Pilot?
Built on the unibody platform shared with the Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan, the 2025 Ridgeline is available exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed.
Is the Honda Pilot built on a truck frame?
Is The Honda Pilot Based On A Car Or Truck Frame? The Honda Pilot has a unit body construction. This construction method combines the vehicle body and the frame to create a strong structure. This allows it to support the vehicle's weight above and below.
What chassis is the Honda Ridgeline built on?
The Ridgeline, which is based on the unibody architecture of the Pilot SUV and the Odyssey minivan, is offered exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a five-foot bed. The sole powertrain is a V-6 engine with all-wheel drive, and it provides swift acceleration.
Where is the Honda Ridgeline build?
Alabama
World-class vehicles made only in Alabama.
At the Alabama Auto Plant, we're Honda's largest light truck production facility in the world, and we're the sole manufacturer of the Passport sport utility vehicle, Odyssey minivan, Pilot sport utility vehicle, Ridgeline pickup truck and the V-6 engines that power them.
What are the negatives on a Honda Ridgeline?
Cons of the Honda Ridgeline:
Off-Road Capability: While the Ridgeline's all-wheel-drive system provides adequate traction in various driving conditions, it may not be as capable off-road as some traditional body-on-frame trucks with dedicated four-wheel-drive systems.
Does the Honda Odyssey have the same engine as the Honda Pilot?
Installed into each of the three Honda vehicles is a 3.5L V6 engine. In the Pilot and Odyssey, this V6 engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, but this is reduced to a nine-speed automatic transmission in the Passport.
Is the Honda Pilot unibody or frame?
Unlike those models, which utilize body-on-frame construction, the Pilot uses a car-like unibody structure derived from the Honda Odyssey minivan and shared with the Acura MDX SUV that Honda's luxury arm released two model years earlier.
What platform is the Honda Ridgeline on?
The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck based on a unibody platform shared with some of Honda's excellent crossovers.
What platform is the Honda Pilot built on?
unibody
The Pilot shares its platform with the Acura MDX, as well as the North American market Odyssey minivan. The Pilot's unibody construction and independent suspension are designed to provide handling similar to that of a car, and it has integrated perimeter frame rails to permit towing and light off-road use.
