The Honda Ridgeline, redesigned in 2017 after a brief hiatus, has consistently aimed to blend truck utility with car-like comfort and safety. For prospective buyers of the 2019 Ridgeline, understanding its safety performance is paramount. This comprehensive breakdown analyzes the crash test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), providing a detailed look into how the 2019 Honda Ridgeline holds up in various simulated accident scenarios. We’ll delve into each test category, from frontal impacts to side collisions and roof strength, offering insights to help you make an informed decision about the safety of this popular pickup truck.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver’s Side Evaluation
The small overlap front crash test is designed to simulate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a fixed object like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test as it concentrates crash forces on a small area of the vehicle’s structure, bypassing the main energy-absorbing structures. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline, which falls under the 2017-25 model year rating, performed admirably in the driver-side small overlap test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The “Good” rating across the board indicates a strong performance. The structure of the 2019 Ridgeline held up well, maintaining the driver’s survival space. Injury measures for the head, neck, chest, hip, thigh, and lower leg/foot were all low, suggesting a minimal risk of significant injuries in this type of crash. The restraints and airbags effectively controlled the dummy’s movement during the crash.
The technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test further illustrate the 2019 Honda Ridgeline’s robust safety performance. Intrusion into the occupant compartment was minimal, with measurements in centimeters indicating how much the structure deformed. Crucially, the steering column showed no intrusion, and upper occupant compartment intrusion was also very limited.
Technical Measurements – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 4 |
| Footrest | 7 |
| Left toepan | 6 |
| Brake pedal | 4 |
| Parking brake | 11 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 0 |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 3 |
| Upper dash | 3 |
| Lower instrument panel | 4 |
Driver injury measures, recorded on the crash test dummy, were also reassuringly low. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) score, a measure of head impact severity, was well below the threshold for concern. Neck tension and bending moment were also low, as were chest compression and femur forces. Tibia index and axial force, indicators of lower leg injury risk, were also within acceptable limits.
Driver Injury Measures – Driver-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 222 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 24 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.3 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.1 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.36 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.54 |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side Evaluation
While the driver-side small overlap test results for the 2019 Honda Ridgeline were excellent, the passenger-side test revealed some areas of concern. The overall rating for the passenger-side small overlap test was “Acceptable” (A), a step down from the “Good” rating achieved on the driver’s side.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Marginal (M) |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | Marginal (M) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
Although the structure and safety cage still earned a “Good” rating, indicating that the passenger compartment held up reasonably well, the passenger injury measures and restraints received “Marginal” (M) ratings. Specifically, the dummy’s head slid off the frontal airbag and hit the dashboard, and forces on the right knee and lower leg were elevated. This suggests a higher risk of injury to the passenger’s lower leg and knee in a passenger-side small overlap crash compared to the driver’s side.
Technical measurements for the passenger-side test showed more intrusion into the occupant compartment compared to the driver’s side. For example, the lower hinge pillar intrusion was 10 cm on the passenger side versus 4 cm on the driver’s side, and footrest intrusion was 13 cm compared to 7 cm.
Technical Measurements – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower hinge pillar max | 10 |
| Footrest | 13 |
| Right toepan | 8 |
| Center toepan | 3 |
| Rocker panel lateral average | 3 |
| Center dash | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max | 7 |
| Upper dash | 9 |
| Right lower dash | 7 |
Passenger injury measures also reflected the marginal ratings. The HIC score for the passenger was higher than the driver’s side, and femur and tibia index measurements for the right leg were elevated, indicating increased injury risk.
Passenger Injury Measures – Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 352 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 65 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 3.5 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.91 |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
The moderate overlap front crash test simulates a head-on collision between two vehicles of similar weight and size. In this test, a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end is engaged compared to the small overlap test. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline achieved a “Good” rating in the original moderate overlap front test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, left | Good (G) |
| Leg/foot, right | Good (G) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Good (G) |
The “Good” ratings across all categories demonstrate that the 2019 Ridgeline provides excellent protection in this common type of frontal collision. Technical measurements showed minimal intrusion into the footwell area and negligible movement of the instrument panel or steering column. Driver injury measures were also very low.
Technical Measurements – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footrest | 2 |
| Left footwell | 3 |
| Center footwell | 4 |
| Right footwell | 8 |
| Brake pedal | 11 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Left | 0 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement – Right | 0 |
| Steering column movement – Upward | 2 |
| Steering column movement – Rearward | -4 |
| A-pillar rearward movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures – Moderate Overlap Front Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 258 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Neck Extension bending moment (Nm) | 29 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 26 |
| Femur Force – Left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur Force – Right (kN) | 0.2 |
| Maximum tibia index – Left | 0.43 |
| Maximum tibia index – Right | 0.56 |
Side Impact Crash Tests: Original and Updated
Side impact crashes are another significant source of injuries in accidents. The IIHS conducts two types of side impact tests: the original side test and an updated, more severe test. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline performed well in both.
Side: Original Test
In the original side impact test, the 2019 Ridgeline earned a “Good” rating overall.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Good (G) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis/leg | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
Both driver and rear passenger injury measures were low, indicating good protection in a typical side impact scenario. Intrusion into the driver side occupant compartment was minimal.
Technical Measurements – Original Side Impact Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -19.5 |
Driver Injury Measures – Original Side Impact Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 159 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.7 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.2 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 23 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 3.0 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Original Side Impact Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 88 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.6 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 1.9 |
Side: Updated Test
The updated side impact test is more challenging, using a heavier barrier and striking the vehicle at a higher speed. In this tougher test, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline still maintained a “Good” overall rating, though the structure and safety cage rating was downgraded to “Acceptable” (A).
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Structure and safety cage | Acceptable (A) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis | Marginal (M) |
| Driver head protection | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Torso | Good (G) |
| Pelvis | Good (G) |
| Rear passenger head protection | Good (G) |
While driver head and torso protection remained “Good,” pelvis protection for the driver was rated “Marginal.” Rear passenger protection remained “Good” across the board. Intrusion measurements were slightly higher than in the original side test.
Technical Measurements – Updated Side Impact Test
| Measures of occupant compartment intrusion | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat | -16.5 |
Driver Injury Measures – Updated Side Impact Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 123 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 29 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 5.6 |
Passenger Injury Measures – Updated Side Impact Test
| Injury Measure | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head HIC-15 | 121 |
| Neck Tension (kN) | 0.1 |
| Neck Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Torso Maximum deflection (mm) | 45 |
| Pelvis Combined force (kN) | 4.0 |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is crucial in rollover accidents. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline demonstrated excellent roof strength, earning a “Good” rating.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Curb weight | 4,216 lbs |
| Peak force | 23,697 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.62 |
The strength-to-weight ratio of 5.62 significantly exceeds the minimum requirement, indicating a strong roof capable of withstanding significant forces in a rollover.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end collisions. The IIHS evaluates head restraints and seats to assess their effectiveness in preventing whiplash. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline with manual cloth seats received a “Good” rating for head restraints & seats.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Good (G) |
| Dynamic rating | Good (G) |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | Good (G) |
Both the dynamic performance and the geometry of the seat and head restraint were rated “Good,” suggesting effective protection against whiplash in rear impacts.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime driving safety. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline has two different headlight systems depending on the trim level.
LED Projector Headlights (RTL-E, Black Edition trims)
The LED projector headlights available on the RTL-E and Black Edition trims earned a “Good” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Good (G) |
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
Both low beams and high beams provided good to fair visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist compensating for some limitations.
Halogen Projector Headlights (RT, SPORT, RTL, RTL-T trims)
The halogen projector headlights on the RT, SPORT, RTL, and RTL-T trims received a “Poor” overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | Poor (P) |
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen reflector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | No |
Low beam visibility was inadequate across the board, and high beam performance was also limited, resulting in the “Poor” rating. This highlights a significant difference in safety equipment based on trim level for the 2019 Ridgeline.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems are increasingly important safety features. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline, when equipped with the optional Honda Sensing Package, earned a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Superior |
| System details | Optional Collision Mitigation Braking System |
| Package name | Optional Honda Sensing Package |
The system successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meets requirements for forward collision warning. This underscores the importance of opting for the Honda Sensing Package for enhanced safety in the 2019 Ridgeline.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
For families, child seat anchor ease of use is a key consideration. The 2019 Honda Ridgeline received an “Acceptable” rating for its LATCH system.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | Acceptable (A) |
While rated “Acceptable,” the IIHS noted that the lower anchors are located deep in the seat and tether anchors are hard to find. However, force required to attach seats was not excessive, and maneuvering around anchors was generally easy.
Conclusion: 2019 Honda Ridgeline Safety Assessment
Overall, the 2019 Honda Ridgeline demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, achieving mostly “Good” ratings in IIHS crash tests. Key strengths include excellent performance in driver-side small overlap, moderate overlap, side impact (both original and updated), and roof strength tests. Head restraints and seats also provide good whiplash protection. The availability of a “Superior” rated front crash prevention system with the optional Honda Sensing Package is a significant safety plus.
However, prospective buyers should be aware of the “Acceptable” rating in the passenger-side small overlap test and the “Marginal” pelvis injury risk in the updated side impact test. Furthermore, the “Poor” headlight rating for lower trims (without LED projectors) is a notable concern. When considering a 2019 Honda Ridgeline, carefully reviewing the trim level and optional safety features, particularly the Honda Sensing Package and LED headlights, is crucial to ensure the highest level of safety for you and your passengers.
