What trims and configurations the 2025 Ridgeline comes in
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is sold in five main trim levels: Sport, EX, EX-L, RTL, and RTL-E. Each trim builds on the one below it, adding features like leather seating, upgraded audio systems, and additional technology. The base Sport model includes essentials like a touchscreen infotainment system and a rearview camera, while higher trims add comfort and convenience features. You can also choose between two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) on most trims, which affects price and fuel economy.
Honda also offers specific packages within certain trims that let you add features without moving to the next trim level. For example, some trims have a Technology Package that bundles navigation, a premium audio system, and driver-information features together at a lower cost than buying them separately. Understanding which trim matches your needs and which packages add real value to your situation is the first step in choosing your Ridgeline configuration.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Ridgeline comes in five trims—Sport, EX, EX-L, RTL, and RTL-E—each adding comfort and technology features as you move up.
- You can choose between 2WD and 4WD on most trims, with 4WD costing more and using slightly more fuel.
- Mid-range trims like EX-L and RTL offer packages that bundle popular features together, often costing less than adding them individually.
- The base Sport trim includes a touchscreen and rearview camera, so you are not starting without modern conveniences.
Sport and EX trims: the entry and mid-level options
The Sport trim is the starting point for the 2025 Ridgeline. It comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a rearview camera, and Honda Sensing—a suite of driver-information features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, and collision mitigation. The truck bed includes a power tonneau cover and a bed divider. For many buyers, the Sport has enough technology and safety features to feel complete, even though it lacks leather seats and some convenience features found in higher trims.
The EX trim adds heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a larger 10.2-inch touchscreen, and a sunroof. The interior materials are more refined, with cloth upholstery that feels more durable than base models. If you plan to use your truck year-round in cold weather or spend long hours in the driver's seat, the EX's heated seats and power adjustment justify the step up. The EX also qualifies for some package options that the Sport does not, giving you more ways to customize the truck to your needs.
EX-L and RTL trims: where leather and luxury features appear
The EX-L is where the Ridgeline shifts toward luxury truck features. It includes leather-trimmed seating, a power moonroof, a premium 12-speaker audio system, and a hands-free power tailgate. The dashboard and door panels use higher-quality materials, and the overall cabin feels more upscale. The EX-L also adds features like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats, which matter if you live somewhere with extreme temperatures. Navigation is available as part of a package, though it is not standard.
The RTL trim sits above the EX-L and includes everything the EX-L has, plus standard navigation, a surround-view camera system that shows you a 360-degree view of the truck when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces, and a power rear window. The RTL is where Honda includes most of the truck's available technology as standard equipment rather than optional. If you want a fully loaded truck without hunting through package options, the RTL gets you there with fewer choices to make.
RTL-E: the top trim with all available features
The RTL-E is the highest trim level and includes everything from the RTL plus additional refinements. It adds a panoramic sunroof that spans a larger portion of the roof, premium leather seating with more color options, and upgraded interior trim pieces. The RTL-E also includes Honda's most advanced driver-information package as standard, with features like adaptive headlights that adjust their beam pattern based on steering input and road conditions.
The RTL-E is the right choice if you want the most complete feature set without making decisions about which packages to add. However, the price difference between RTL and RTL-E is substantial, and much of what you are paying for is refinement and materials rather than new capabilities. If you are comfortable with the RTL's feature set and want to save money, stepping down one trim level is a practical choice.
Two-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive
The 2025 Ridgeline offers both 2WD and 4WD configurations on all trims except the Sport, which is 2WD only. Four-wheel drive adds traction in snow, mud, and off-road conditions by sending power to all four wheels instead of just the rear two. It also raises the truck slightly higher off the ground, which can be useful if you regularly encounter rough terrain or deep snow.
The trade-off is cost and fuel economy. A 4WD Ridgeline costs roughly $2,000 to $2,500 more than the same trim in 2WD, depending on the model year and current pricing. Fuel economy drops by about 1 to 2 miles per gallon in 4WD. If you live in a flat area with mild winters and do not plan to leave paved roads, 2WD saves you money and fuel over the truck's lifetime. If you face regular snow, ice, or unpaved roads, 4WD is worth the investment for safety and capability.
Popular packages and how to think about them
Honda groups optional features into packages rather than selling most items individually. A Technology Package typically bundles navigation, a premium audio system, and advanced driver-information features. A Luxury Package might combine leather seating upgrades, heated and ventilated seats, and premium interior trim. Packages are designed so that the bundled price is lower than buying each feature separately, but you only benefit from that savings if you want most of the items in the package.
Before choosing a package, list the specific features you actually want—not the ones that sound nice in a brochure. If a package includes five features and you only care about two of them, you are paying for three things you do not need. Some packages are only available on certain trims, so check the trim-by-trim breakdown before deciding which trim to start with. A lower trim with the right package sometimes costs less and gives you more of what you want than a higher trim without packages.
Bed and cargo configurations
All 2025 Ridgelines come with a 5-foot-6-inch truck bed, which is standard for mid-size trucks. The bed includes a power tonneau cover on all trims, which rolls up to reveal the bed or stays closed to protect cargo from weather and theft. A bed divider comes standard and lets you section off the bed to prevent cargo from sliding around during turns or stops.
Higher trims add a power rear window that lets you access the bed from inside the cab without opening the tailgate, useful if you are carrying long items or want to find something without fully opening the truck. The RTL and RTL-E also include a surround-view camera that shows the bed and surrounding area on the infotainment screen, making it easier to park and load cargo precisely. These features are convenience additions rather than necessities, but they do make truck ownership more practical if you use the bed regularly.
Engine and transmission across all configurations
Every 2025 Ridgeline uses the same engine and transmission regardless of trim or drive configuration. The truck is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power goes through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels (2WD) or all four wheels (4WD). This means your choice of trim and drive type does not affect how the truck performs—only how it is equipped and what surfaces it can handle.
Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds across all configurations, and payload capacity is around 1,500 pounds, depending on whether you choose 2WD or 4WD. These numbers are competitive for mid-size trucks and sufficient for most household towing needs like boat trailers or small utility trailers. If you plan to tow regularly, these capacities are worth confirming with a dealer, since adding certain packages or features can slightly affect the truck's weight distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Sport trim with four-wheel drive?
No, the Sport trim is only available in 2WD. If you need 4WD, you must step up to the EX trim or higher. This is a common limitation on base trims across the truck market, designed to keep the entry-level price as low as possible.
What is the main difference between RTL and RTL-E?
The RTL-E adds a panoramic sunroof, additional leather seating options, upgraded interior trim, and more advanced driver-information features as standard. The RTL has most of the same capabilities but requires packages to add some features. If you want everything included without package decisions, RTL-E is simpler; if you want to save money, RTL gives you most of the same truck.
Do I need the Technology Package if I already have Apple CarPlay?
Apple CarPlay comes standard on all trims, so you do not need a package for smartphone integration. The Technology Package adds navigation, a premium audio system, and additional driver-information features. If you only want navigation, check whether it is available separately on your chosen trim before committing to the full package.
How much does 4WD cost compared to 2WD?
The price difference varies by trim and current market conditions, but typically ranges from $2,000 to $2,500. Contact a dealer for exact pricing on the specific trim and options you are considering, since prices change throughout the model year.
Is the sunroof standard on all trims?
No, the sunroof is standard on EX and higher trims. The Sport and base EX do not include it, though some trims offer it as part of a package. If a sunroof matters to you, confirm it is included on your chosen trim before ordering.