Current and recent Honda Ridgelines use Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system, not a traditional selectable 4WD transfer case with 4-High and 4-Low. On the 2021 Ridgeline, i-VTM4 AWD is standard on every trim and works with Intelligent Traction Management modes for Normal, Snow, Mud and Sand.
AWD vs 4WD on the Ridgeline
| Feature | Modern Ridgeline i-VTM4 | Traditional selectable 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic type | Proactive AWD | Transfer-case 4WD |
| Front/rear torque distribution | Automatically varied | Typically driver-selected ranges/modes |
| Rear-wheel torque vectoring | Yes, via separate rear clutch packs | Depends on vehicle |
| 4-Low range | No | Common on many traditional off-road trucks |
| Surface modes | Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand on 2021 | Depends on vehicle |
How i-VTM4 works
Honda’s i-VTM4 system varies torque from front to rear according to driving conditions. At the rear axle, two electro-hydraulically controlled clutch packs can send different amounts of torque to the left and right rear wheels independently.
That lets the system react to low-grip surfaces and also use torque vectoring to improve dry-road cornering response.
Do you turn the AWD on manually?
No. On a modern i-VTM4 Ridgeline, AWD operation is automatic. The driver can choose an Intelligent Traction Management surface mode, but there is no separate “engage 4WD” procedure like a traditional truck with a transfer case.
Does the Ridgeline have 4-Low?
No. Modern Ridgelines do not have a low-range transfer case. Sand and Mud modes change how the throttle, transmission, stability-control and AWD systems respond, but they are not the same thing as mechanical 4-Low.
Why older Ridgelines are sometimes called 4WD
The original 2006 Ridgeline used Honda’s older VTM-4WD system. Honda’s launch material described it as a fully automatic four-wheel-drive system and included VTM-4 Lock functionality for low-speed traction situations. The second-generation Ridgeline switched to i-VTM4 AWD terminology and hardware.
That generation change is why a single timeless “Ridgeline is AWD/4WD” answer can be misleading.
Related: VTM-4 vs i-VTM4, Ridgeline in snow, and Ridgeline on sand.
Sources
- Honda Information Center — i-VTM4 AWD
- Honda Information Center — Intelligent Traction Management
- Honda Global — original 2006 Ridgeline VTM-4WD
Related Guides
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Do All Honda Ridgelines Have an In-Bed Trunk? History by Generation
Honda Ridgeline D4 Button: What It Does and When to Use It