2024 Honda Ridgeline vs 2025 Jeep Gladiator

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline, while not traditionally eye-catching, had undergone styling updates that gave it a more commanding presence. The blunt nose, tall hood, and new tailgate lettering helped it blend in better with its peers, while the TrailSport’s all-terrain tires added a touch of ruggedness. Inside, a redesigned center console with a wide armrest and a large storage bin made the interior feel more like a pickup truck. The addition of a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with improved features enhanced the driving experience. The Ridgeline was available in four trims, each powered by a 280-horsepower V6 engine with torque-vectoring AWD, offering a family-friendly pickup at a reasonable price.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Gladiator was more than just a Wrangler with a cargo bed. It featured a longer truck frame and a unique five-link rear suspension, allowing it to tow and haul effectively. The Mojave trim, with its desert-running capabilities, sat on 33-inch tires and had a one-inch front suspension lift. The Gladiator lineup included various trims, each offering different levels of ruggedness and comfort. The Mojave X test truck, with its Army green paint and leather interior, came equipped with numerous features, including a Cargo Group with Trail Rail System and a spray-in bedliner. Despite its higher price, the Gladiator offered a unique open-air driving experience with removable doors and a convertible top.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and Honda’s i-VTM4 AWD system. This system allowed up to 70% of the engine’s power to be directed to a single rear wheel. The Ridgeline had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,583 pounds. However, its off-road capabilities were limited by shallow approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a ground clearance of just over 7.6 inches. On the road, the Ridgeline excelled with its smooth powertrain, quick acceleration, and quiet cabin, although the automatic transmission could be slightly irritating. The TrailSport’s off-road suspension felt firmer on pavement, and the all-terrain tires emitted a faint whir at speed. The Ridgeline achieved an average fuel economy of 19.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 20 mpg.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard 4WD. The Mojave trim, with its Fox suspension upgrades, was designed for desert running but also handled rough pavement well. Despite its off-road prowess, the Mojave’s ride was stiffer than expected, and it struggled with directional stability in headwinds. The V6 engine lacked punch at higher speeds, requiring downshifts for passing. The Mojave returned a fuel economy of 16.2 mpg, below the EPA’s 19 mpg estimate. While the Gladiator was fun to drive on mountain roads, panic braking could be unsettling, and the truck’s handling limits encouraged a relaxed driving pace.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline prioritized comfort and practicality over towing and off-roading capabilities. It offered easy entry and exit, with supportive seats for five passengers. The TrailSport trim featured perforated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed adequate legroom, air conditioning vents, and a center armrest with cupholders. The Ridgeline’s interior was filled with storage options, and the rear seat cushion could be flipped up for additional cargo space. The 33.9 cubic-foot cargo bed included a weatherproof and locking trunk with 7.3 cubic feet of space, perfect for tailgate parties or wet gear.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator improved on the Wrangler with more front legroom, thanks to power-adjustable front seats in the Mojave X trim. The rear seat was tight, with hard plastic front seat-back panels and robust hooks that could catch kneecaps. However, the rear seat cushion offered some leg support, and rear passengers had access to air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Gladiator’s roof panels were easy to remove, but there was no storage space for them when passengers were present. The cargo bed featured a spray-in bedliner, rails, and a tonneau cover, but lacked a step for easy access.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline came with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring a volume knob, tuning buttons, and steering wheel controls. The system was updated with a faster processor, improved graphics, and simplified menus. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging. The Ridgeline Sport benefited from these upgrades, while higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio and an eight-speaker premium sound system. The 7-inch digital display in the gauge cluster was well-executed and user-friendly.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator was equipped with a Uconnect 5 infotainment system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and eight stereo speakers. The Mojave X test truck featured navigation with Jeep Connect services, a WiFi hotspot, and Alexa Built-in technology. However, the voice recognition system struggled with noise, making it difficult to use. The screen remained legible in bright sunlight but collected dust easily. The Alpine sound system was a worthwhile upgrade, and the steering wheel controls for volume and tuning were intuitive and brilliant.

The 2024 Honda Ridgeline Sport added a standard blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, joining the Honda Sensing suite of ADAS. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. While the ADAS performed adequately, it wasn’t as smooth as desired. The Ridgeline earned an Acceptable rating in the IIHS small overlap frontal-impact test and a Marginal rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it five-star ratings across the board, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2025 Jeep Gladiator was light on safety systems, with six airbags and optional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was unavailable on some trims and optional on others. The Gladiator received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated its side-impact test as Good, but other results were unavailable. The adaptive cruise control system could react abruptly, and the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems were not always reliable.