Honda Rugged Capability
Honda Rugged Capability
TrailSport
Bolder and More Capable Than Ever
From off-road-tuned suspension to rugged styling and high-contrast stitching, our fearless TrailSport editions are engineered for adventure. Now available on our most rugged models.
Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive Systems
Honda all-wheel-drive systems are designed to effortlessly tackle bad weather, rough terrain and big jobs, giving you extra power in those moments when you need it most. And expanded AWD capabilities are on the way with the upcoming TrailSport editions.
How All-Wheel-Drive Works
All-wheel drive helps you power through challenging conditions by using an array of sensors and other inputs.
Honda offers two different all-wheel-drive systems: Real Time AWD™ and intelligent Variable Torque ManagementTM (i-VTM4®). Both can deliver instantaneous power to the rear wheels to enhance overall stability, and the i-VTM4 system adds torque vectoring for greater side-to-side control.
How Torque-Vectoring Works
The i-VTM4® system helps enhance stability on muddy, wet, and icy roads, and can even improve dry-weather handling. It uses a pair of clutch packs ‐ one for each rear wheel ‐ that can be engaged separately, allowing variable amount of torque to be sent to each rear wheel independently. If one rear wheel loses traction, the other helps compensate. The system also distributes torque to the outside rear wheel when turning to help the Passport, Pilot, and Ridgeline smoothly carve through corners.
Intelligent Traction Management
When road conditions change, just push the Intelligent Traction Management button to optimize for the terrain. Two-wheel drive trims on the Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline include Snow mode, while all-wheel-drive trims add Mud and Sand modes. Each mode adjusts throttle, shifting, torque distribution and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) for the unique challenges of the selected terrain.
Snow Mode
To help minimize wheel slippage, especially when accelerating from a stop, Snow mode sets the automatic transmission to start in second gear and adjusts the throttle for less pedal sensitivity.
Mud Mode
Maintaining momentum is essential in muddy driving conditions. To help you keep moving, Mud mode delays upshifts for increased wheel torque and adjusts VSA to allow more wheel slip.
Sand Mode
Soft-sand driving calls for more aggressive pedal tuning to minimize throttle delay. Sand mode also delays upshifts for increased wheel torque.
UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION
The Ridgeline is unique among pickup trucks for its smooth-riding unibody cab and bed, with an integrated frame that’s stronger than conventional body-on-frame designs. Approximately 45% of the body and frame uses special high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel that adds rigidity without undue weight.
Advanced Suspension Systems
With independent multi-link suspensions, Honda SUVs and trucks not only offer nimble handling and smooth rides— they're also built to stay steadfast in off-road conditions, making easy work of dirt and gravel.
Towing Prowess
With powerful V-6 engines and the available i-VTM4® AWD system, the Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline are all capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds. That's enough muscle to pull a 24-foot camper, a trailer with two ATVs or a 22-foot boat.1
Engines Built to Last
Under the hood of the Honda Ridgeline, Pilot and Passport, you'll find the same engine block and heads used to power the 550-horsepower, twin-turbocharged Ridgeline Baja race truck across hundreds of miles of desert. Some might say this is over-engineering; we say it's engineering at its finest.
Cold-Weather Testing
Wintry conditions can create a wide range of challenges, from snow to ice to slush. We test our technologies for all of them, on both level ground and inclines, on 23 different driving courses in the frozen prairies of Northern Minnesota. And to make sure our SUVs and trucks can withstand the bitter winters, we test cold starts in -40-degree cold cells.
1Maximum towing capacity for AWD models is 5,000 lbs. Maximum towing capacity for 2WD models is 3,500 lbs. Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
