2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport Towing Test: Real World Review

The 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport gets a real world towing test with a rented trailer, riding mower, push mower and lawn supplies. In this review, I wanted to see how the Honda Ridgeline handles the kind of work many homeowners actually need a truck to do. I rented a 5x8 utility trailer from Home Depot, picked up my riding mower from the repair shop, loaded a 32 inch push mower and added about 120 pounds of sand and soil mix for a family lawn project. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport comes standard with a 3.5 liter V6 engine, 280 horsepower, 262 pound feet of torque, a 9 speed automatic transmission, Honda i VTM4 all wheel drive and a 5,000 pound towing capacity. The Ridgeline does not have a dedicated Tow Mode, so I used Sport Mode as Honda recommends when towing. In this video, I explain how the Ridgeline towed, how the transmission behaved, how it felt with the trailer attached and why this truck may make more sense for homeowners than many traditional pickups. I also cover the Dual Action Tailgate, lockable In Bed Trunk, TrailSport features, daily driving comfort and how the Honda Ridgeline compares to the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Honda Ridgeline may not be the truck for people trying to prove something. It may be the truck for people trying to get something done. Read the full written review on WAOK.com: https://www.audacy.com/waok/latest/20... Subscribe to The AutoNsider for more real world automotive reviews, consumer advice and car buying insight. #HondaRidgeline #TowingTest #TruckReview 00:00 2026 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport towing test 00:23 Why I tested the Ridgeline like a homeowner 00:55 Trailer, mower and lawn project setup 01:36 No Tow Mode, so I used Sport Mode 02:18 How the Ridgeline towed in real life 03:03 Why the Ridgeline is different from traditional trucks 03:52 Dual Action Tailgate and In Bed Trunk 04:40 TrailSport features and rugged personality 05:20 Interior comfort and daily driving 06:00 Ridgeline vs Tacoma, Maverick and Santa Cruz 06:55 Final thoughts and buyer advice