Ridgeline is not the only unibody truck we’ll see next season. So, the Japanese company has to do something special about the debut of Hyundai Santa Cruz (and a few other potential arrivals). Anyway, those types of trucks are not quite popular. But, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline Type R might change the image of the entire lineup.
The performance-oriented package is pretty limited. Not too many vehicles are offering this upgrade. But, the pickup needs radical therapy, and making the long-time dream real is a perfect way to improve chances on the market. The company showed a willingness to add such models with the debut of Type S models in the Acura lineup (TLX sedan and MDX SUV are now available). We can expect the same configuration under the hood as the main source of power.
Under the Hood
A 3.0-liter turbocharged engine is creating 355 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque. That is quite something for this truck and the entire class. The base version of the pickup is using a 3.5-liter V6 and cracks 280 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. So, the company means business. For example, other trucks in the mid-size world are around 300 ponies. But, the main priority is to improve the towing capacity. Currently, a 3.5-liter engine can haul up to 5,000 pounds. The 2023 Honda Ridgeline Type R should be at least around 6,000 lbs. Experts believe that the performance truck is going to use a 4×4 as a standard system. If engineers want to make it more capable for off-roading as well, ground clearance will be higher.
2023 Honda Ridgeline Type R Release Date and Price
We are reading rumors about the Type R upgrade for the truck for some while. Those speculations are out for at least 5 years. It might be the perfect moment to launch the truck in the second half of 2022. Currently, there are no pickups that can compete with the 2023 Honda Ridgeline Type R. Still, the company is not making official announcements. But, when it happens, it will draw a lot of attention. The Type R version is definitely taking the top of the class spot, meaning it is the most expensive model. At this moment, Black Edition costs $45,000. The performance package is going to top $50,000.
Verdict
Let’s conclude the discussion. First, everything we know about the 2023 Honda Ridgeline Type R is rumors. There are no official sources to confirm works on the pickup. A good thing is that a couple of Type S models were added to the Acura portfolio. Honda might do the same with some vehicles in the non-premium segment.
The Japanese company is still building the Ridgeline on the unibody concept. It is one of the main reasons for slow sales since truckers will opt for the body-on-frame model, and fans of Honda will rather pick a more versatile Pilot SUV. The Type R package would position the Ridgeline better, not only in the truck market, but also in the family.