Understanding the Drivetrain Layout
The 2019 Honda Ridgeline Shakeup Fwd Or Rwd question comes up more often than it should, mostly because the drivetrain architecture isn't what most people expect from a truck. The 2019 Ridgeline is fundamentally a front-wheel-drive-based vehicle. Honda builds it on the same underplatform as the Accord and Pilot, which means the default power delivery goes to the front wheels. When traction is lost up front, an electromagnetic clutch engages a driveshaft to send torque to the rear axle. This is an on-demand all-wheel-drive system, not a part-time 4x4 with a transfer case. Here is how the system actually works in practice. The real AWD system uses a hydraulic pump that is driven off the transmission output. It sits between the front and rear differentials. Under normal conditions, the system runs with a slight bias toward the front, somewhere around 95 percent front and 5 percent rear, just enough to keep the driveline components lubricated and ready. When wheel slip is detected at the front axle, hydraulic pressure increases and the electromagnetic clutch packs close, sending torque to the rear wheels. The system can vary front-to-rear torque split anywhere from roughly 70/30 to 30/70 depending on the situation. It is all computer-managed. I spent a weekend trying to figure out why my rear wheels weren't participating in a low-traction situation back in 2020. I was on a gravel access road after a rain event and the truck felt like it was just plowing through with the front tires only. I figured the AWD wasn't engaging. The problem turned out to be that the system was working fine, but the front tires were a worn set of all-seasons with barely any tread left. The front tires were losing grip so easily that the computer was constantly feeding power to the rears, but there was nowhere for that power to go because the rear tires also had minimal tread. Once I put a fresh set of tires on the truck, the whole behavior changed completely. The torque split became much more apparent and the truck actually felt like it was using all four wheels properly. This is one of those things that nobody tells you about this system.
Another detail that catches people off guard is the single-speed transfer case. There is no low-range gearing. If you need crawling speed over rocks or extreme torque multiplication, this truck cannot do it. The electronic AWD system manages traction, but it does not provide any kind of reduction gear. For light off-road use, muddy trails, or occasional snow, the system is perfectly adequate. I have seen owners try to use this truck for serious rock crawling and wonder why it cannot clear obstacles that a Jeep Wrangler handles without effort. The Ridgeline is not built for that. The suspension travel, the lack of low range, and the front-wheel-drive-biased architecture all limit what you can reasonably ask from it off the pavement. The AWD system also has a known issue that affects the 2019 model year. The rear differential can develop a whining noise that gets worse over time. This is usually caused by the rear pinion bearing wearing out. When it happens, the differential still functions, but the noise becomes noticeable and the bearing can eventually fail completely. Honda issued a service campaign for some model years addressing this, but coverage varies by VIN. If you are buying a used 2019 Ridgeline and you hear a growling or whining sound coming from the rear of the truck, especially under acceleration, have a mechanic inspect the rear differential before purchasing. Replacing the rear differential bearing assembly runs roughly between $800 and $1,400 including parts and labor depending on your location. What most people get wrong when categorizing this truck is the simple FWD versus RWD debate. The Ridgeline is neither. It is an all-wheel-drive truck that defaults to front-wheel drive and adds rear-wheel torque as needed. Calling it a front-wheel-drive truck is technically accurate in terms of platform architecture, but it is misleading because the AWD system is always active and always ready to send power rearward. Calling it a rear-wheel-drive truck is simply incorrect. The power flows from the engine through a 9-speed automatic transmission, then through the AWD unit, and splits to the front and rear axles based on electronic and hydraulic control.
If you are comparing this to a Toyota Tacoma or a Ford Ranger, the architecture is completely different. Those trucks are rear-wheel-drive based with optional part-time 4WD systems. The Ridgeline shares more DNA with a crossover SUV than with a traditional body-on-frame truck. That is why it handles differently on pavement, why it rides more comfortably, and why its towing and hauling capabilities are lower than comparable traditional trucks. The 2019 model can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is respectable but not class-leading. Payload capacity sits around 1,580 pounds with the standard configuration. The in-bed trunk is another feature that makes this platform unique. Honda includes a waterproof storage compartment built into the bed floor. This is genuinely useful for keeping tools and gear dry, but it does eat into available payload because the steel compartment adds weight compared to an open bed. If you are maximizing payload for a specific use case, every pound matters, and the trunk is one of those unnecessary weight additions if you never plan to use it. For daily driving in snow, the Ridgeline AWD system is excellent. It responds quickly to changing conditions and the computer management prevents the driver from having to think about switching between 2WD and 4WD modes. There are three drive modes: Normal, Snow, and Lock. Snow mode adjusts throttle response and shifts the torque bias slightly rearward to improve initial traction. Lock mode locks the front-to-rear torque split at approximately 50/50 and is intended for deeper snow or mud where sustained rear bias is helpful. You should not use Lock mode on dry pavement because it can cause binding in the drivetrain and accelerate tire wear. I learned that the hard way on a crisp spring morning when I accidentally left it in Lock mode and noticed the steering felt sluggish and the tires were making a slightly different sound than usual. Switching back to Normal resolved the issue immediately.
Get the Full Details
The V6 engine that powers the 2019 Ridgeline is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated unit producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It is paired exclusively with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is reliable when maintained, but oil changes should not be exceeded beyond 7,500 miles. The timing chain tensioners on these engines can develop issues if synthetic oil is not used consistently and service intervals are extended. Honda recommends synthetic blend oil for this engine, but full synthetic gives better protection for the timing components. Using extended drain intervals with synthetic blend is a common mistake that leads to premature tensioner wear and potential timing chain stretch over high mileage. If you need a truck that is genuinely rear-wheel drive based with a part-time 4WD system and low-range capability, the Ridgeline is the wrong choice. Stick with a traditional truck platform. If you want a vehicle that drives like a car, offers comfortable daily usability, and has an AWD system that works well in weather conditions without any driver input, the 2019 Ridgeline delivers on that promise. The classification question of FWD versus RWD is really a false dichotomy. The truck is FWD-based with an active AWD system, and that distinction matters more than either label alone.
