Honda Ridgeline Sport or RTL: which fits Tulsa truck buyers?

Choose the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport if the lower price matters most to you, and the RTL if you want its comfort equipment for daily driving. Both trims share the same engine, drivetrain and towing rating, so the choice comes down to equipment and price.

The Sport starts at $40,795 and the RTL at $43,595, and both trims seat five.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Tulsa. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

Honda Ridgeline Sport for a lower price, RTL for comfort at South Pointe Honda

The Sport is the lower-priced trim, with a starting MSRP of $40,795 against $43,595 for the RTL. If the starting price is the deciding factor, the Sport is the Ridgeline to choose.

Honda’s 2026 pricing release lists both figures as starting MSRP, so they are where your comparison starts rather than where it ends. Advertised listings are a starting point too. Confirm availability, fees and the final out-the-door price with the dealer before you commit. Buyers who want the RTL’s comfort equipment pay the higher starting price for it, and that trade is the one to weigh.

How do the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport and RTL differ on payload and weight?

Seating is the same: the 2026 Ridgeline Sport and RTL both seat five. The Sport carries a maximum payload of 1,583 pounds and weighs 4,420 pounds at the curb, and the RTL carries 1,544 pounds and weighs 4,480 pounds (Honda, 2026).

Do the Honda Ridgeline Sport and RTL share the same engine and towing rating?

Yes. Both trims carry the same 280-horsepower engine, with 262 lb-ft of torque and a maximum towing rating of 5,000 pounds.

The Sport and RTL also share the same drivetrain, so the powertrain gives a buyer no reason to pick one trim over the other. Honda’s 2026 figures for the two trims match on every powertrain line. The decision rests on price and equipment.

The 5,000-pound rating is the ceiling for both. A trailer or load heavier than that asks more than either trim is rated to tow.

How much more does the Honda Ridgeline RTL cost than the Sport?

The RTL starts at $43,595, and the Sport starts at $40,795, both according to Honda’s 2026 pricing release. The RTL carries the larger starting figure, so set both prices against your budget before you contact a dealer.

Those are starting MSRPs, and the price you pay depends on the trim’s options, fees and taxes. Oklahoma taxes and registration fees add to the final figure, so ask for the out-the-door total on the trim you pick.

What do the Honda Ridgeline Sport and RTL cost, tow and get per gallon?

Both trims tow up to 5,000 pounds, the same rating on each. The Sport starts at $40,795 and the RTL at $43,595.

The EPA certifies the 2026 all-wheel-drive Ridgeline at 18 miles per gallon in the city, 24 on the highway and 21 combined (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026). Those are the drivetrain figures both trims share, so fuel economy does not separate the Sport from the RTL. That leaves starting price and equipment as the two things to weigh.

Can you lease or finance a Honda Ridgeline at South Pointe Honda?

Yes. South Pointe Honda offers Honda leases along with new-vehicle financing, so either trim can be leased or financed.

The online finance application is labeled “Apply for Financing” and “Apply Now,” so the financing step can start online before you visit. A lease or a loan changes what the starting price costs you, so run both options against the trim you pick.

When is the Honda Ridgeline Sport or RTL the wrong trim to buy?

The RTL is the wrong trim if your budget stops short of $43,595, since that is its starting price. The Sport is the wrong trim only if the equipment you want is on the RTL.

A budget below $40,795 rules out both Ridgeline trims. The other new Honda models we sell, from the Civic to the Pilot, are the place to compare at that budget.

Neither trim suits a load or trailer heavier than 5,000 pounds, and neither seats more than five people. If you need a sixth seat, look at the Pilot, which South Pointe Honda also sells, and confirm its seating before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What taxes and fees apply when you buy a new Honda Ridgeline in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma charges a motor vehicle excise tax of 3.25% of a new vehicle’s value under 68 O.S. Section 2103, plus a sales tax of 1.25% under Section 1355(2) (Oklahoma Statutes, Title 68, 2026). Service Oklahoma lists a title fee of $11.00, a transfer fee of $17.00, an insurance fee of $1.50 and a VIN inspection fee of $4.00 among the fees due at registration (Service Oklahoma, 2026).

Can I trade in my truck toward a Ridgeline at South Pointe Honda?

Yes. South Pointe Honda accepts trade-ins with negative equity, so a loan balance larger than your truck’s value does not rule out a trade-in.

Can South Pointe Honda deliver a new Ridgeline to my driveway?

Yes. Through Acceleride, a new Ridgeline can be bought online and delivered. Out-of-state shipping is available, and the delivery can go to your driveway.

What warranty comes with a new Honda Ridgeline?

According to Honda’s 2026 warranty booklet, the Ridgeline’s basic warranty runs 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Powertrain coverage lasts 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first, and corrosion protection lasts 5 years with no mileage limit.

How many people does the Honda Ridgeline seat, and what can the bed carry?

Both the Sport and the RTL seat five people. The bed is 64.0 inches long on both, and maximum payload is 1,583 pounds on the Sport and 1,544 pounds on the RTL (Honda, 2026).

What should you confirm with any dealer before buying a Ridgeline trim?

Confirm availability, fees and the final out-the-door price with any dealer before you buy, since advertised listings are a starting point. Ask which Ridgeline trims the dealer has in stock and what each fee covers. South Pointe Honda is at 9124 S Memorial Dr in Tulsa, and it sells the Ridgeline new.

What does a certified pre-owned Honda Ridgeline include compared with buying new?

HondaTrue Certified covers 2021 to 2026 Honda vehicles with under 80,000 miles, with a 182-point inspection and a $0 deductible on covered repairs (American Honda Motor Co., 2026). Its powertrain coverage runs 7 years or 100,000 miles, longer than the 5 years or 60,000 miles on a new Ridgeline. The advertised price at South Pointe Honda already includes inspection, reconditioning and certification, with no separate charge for them.

Where can I get my Ridgeline serviced in south Tulsa?

South Pointe Honda’s service center is at 9124 S Memorial Dr in Tulsa, with dedicated express service lanes that need no appointment. Express service handles oil and filter changes, fluid checks, multi-point inspections, tire rotations and repairs, wiper blades, battery testing and replacement, bulbs, and engine and cabin filters.

Why Tulsa truck buyers choose South Pointe Honda for a Ridgeline

Buying a Ridgeline here can start with your truck. Our online trade-in offer is instant, valid for seven days or up to 250 miles, and we accept trade-ins with negative equity. A trade value in hand turns the Sport-or-RTL choice into a comparison of two numbers.

Our online finance application, labeled “Apply for Financing,” lets you apply online before you visit. We also offer Honda leases and loans on pre-owned cars. Through Acceleride, a new Ridgeline can be bought online and delivered, or you can finish the purchase in store.

As of October 2026, South Pointe Honda holds 4.6 stars on Google across 6,344 reviews, and 82 in 100 of them are five-star. In an August 2026 Google review, Brendan E. wrote: “Jay was great, no pressure. He was fair and patient. I got the car i wanted and they addressed all my concerns. Highly recommend”

Brendan describes a visit with no pressure that ended with the car he wanted, which is the outcome a trim comparison should lead to. Start with the trade-in offer or the finance application, then visit South Pointe Honda at 9124 S Memorial Dr in Tulsa to see the Ridgeline Sport and RTL side by side.

South Pointe Honda answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Tulsa showroom, or call (918) 496-7833.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact South Pointe Honda for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.