Overview & Reviews

Although millions of full-size pickup trucks are sold each year, only a fraction of them actually see an off-road trail, a large travel trailer or a boat ramp. The rest are daily drivers that make an occasional trip to Home Depot for 2x4s and patio furniture. For those consumers who desire a less bulky, less thirsty alternative that can still handle those occasional jobs, there's the Honda Ridgeline. This four-door ("crew cab") pickup truck has a number of distinctive features and, true to Honda's philosophy, it makes sense for smart consumers.

Current Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline pickup is available in just one four-door body style. There are five trim levels: RT, Sport, RTS, RTL and top-of-the line SE. The Ridgeline's sole powertrain is a 250-horsepower V6 mated to a five-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard.

Standard feature highlights for the base RT include a power-sliding rear window, air-conditioning, a 60/40-split lift-up rear seat, a rearview camera, full power accessories, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player. Moving up through the other trims adds luxuries such as alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, upgraded audio systems, heated seats, leather seating and a navigation system with voice recognition and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

Rather than having a separate cab and bed, the Ridgeline's body unites the two. The Ridgeline's architecture combines the techniques of both unibody and full-frame construction. All Ridgelines include a hidden trunk in the cargo bed that doubles as an ice chest, a dent-proof bedliner, a four-wheel independent suspension (for a smoother ride and more agile handling) and a trailer hitch. Maximum towing capacity stands at 5,000 pounds.

In all but the most taxing situations, performance is respectable, and on the open highway the Honda Ridgeline is an effortless and quiet cruiser. As such, it is an ideal road trip vehicle, especially when said trip involves carrying bulky items. That easy-going demeanor, along with comfortable seats, plentiful storage cubbies, sound ergonomics and a relatively manageable size make the Honda Ridgeline a viable option as the sole family vehicle. While the cabin provides sedan-like comfort, the cargo bed effortlessly transports things such as camping gear or lawn supplies. Criticisms include the Ridgeline's aversion to off-road adventures, where its lack of a low-range gear and a tendency to bottom out don't help when tackling more rugged trails. Fuel economy for a V6-powered pickup is also disappointing.

If these shortcomings are meaningful to you, then you'll want to consider a pickup with true truck DNA. But if all you really need is the passenger space of an SUV and the utility of a pickup truck, the Ridgeline is an excellent choice.

Used Honda Ridgeline Models
The Ridgeline was introduced for the 2006 model year, available in RT, RTS and RTL trim levels. The following year the chrome-accented RTX debuted. There were only minor features updates until '09, when the RTX trim was dropped and the exterior and interior styling was updated.

Things stayed pat until 2012, when a new grille design and a new Sport trim level debuted, the latter slotted between the RT and RTS trims. That year also saw minor aerodynamic improvements and engine tweaks that boosted highway mileage by a single mpg. The following year brought a standard rearview camera for all trim levels.

User Reviews:

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  The do everything vehilcle - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By JC - January 7 - 9:14 am

  Ive had the Ridgeline for nearly a month now, so I feel I can give a better review at this point. Having owned several Hondas, I was excited to finally have the opportunity to drive a Honda Truck. My favorite things about the truck are its versatility and ride. I love being able to flip the seats up for extra space and being able to fit five adults if need be. I cannot stress how well this truck handles and how comfortable this truck is to drive. Weve had some snow in the north east recently, and the AWD worked exceptionally well. There are a few design quirks (placement of cruise control on/off switch, cavernous space below wipers for snow to gather), this is a great vehicle overall.

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  Great truck. Waiting for next redesign - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By S - December 27 - 9:52 pm

  The Ridgeline is quieter than my 06 Accord (very happy with both). I haul two dirt bikes, get around hunting lease, and take the family camping. Added the roof rack, side step to help with the looks (which Im still getting used to). Overall the truck has exceeded my expectations. Pros: very comfortable in the city and on the highway, great AWD mgmt system, good (not great) stereo, back seats fold up, tail gate lays down and swings open, great storage space between the front seats. Cons: Mileage, front end needs to be redesigned, bed is a little too short. Best buy for the price. Shop well. Sticker was $31K, I paid $26k including roof rack, side step and bed extender.

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  Honda Ridgeline RTL - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By denvrfan - December 18 - 1:53 pm

  We just took delivery on a new Ridgeline RTL with moonroof. Initial impression: WOW! This is my first truck although you can hardly tell that its a truck. It rides like a well-mannered SUV (ie Pilot or MDX). It is quiet inside, very roomy and loaded with all kinds of innovative storage ideas. Plenty of power although Im sure it would be challenged if I ever decided to tow something. This is certainly not my intent. Rather, it will be a great vehicle for garden center runs, any other light duty hauling. Frontier, Tacoma, even F150 shoppers should drive this vehicle before making a buying decision.

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  Fun truck with room for improvements - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Central Missouri - December 8 - 3:43 pm

  This truck is fun to drive. Has a superior stereo system. Great quality of workmanship. My friends have deemed it the "swiss army knife of trucks" due to all the great engineering that went into it. Gas mileage is "ok" (17.8 MPG on trips with tires at/near top PSI) I guess for an AWD vehicle, but I am certain that Honda could make it better by using the new engine innovations from the new Odyssey minivans. For a truck topping $30,000 MSRP, I expected heated outside mirrors and a rear window defogger like the Honda Odyssey of my wifes.

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  Worth the money, worth the wait. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By pbear - November 7 - 1:46 am

  My Ridgeline is my ideal version of a 4- wheel Swiss-Army knife. Versatile, solid, powerful, quiet, lots of room for the family and gear, open bed for hauling stuff when I need to, reliable, lots of features for the price, and everyone one and their dog doesnt have one. Lack of the "herd mentality" in the design and engineering.

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  its wide! Wider than my Tacoma - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By chris - October 26 - 5:49 pm

  Its really wide compared to Tacoma. I needed a truck to be more compact for historic city driving and parking and I was more focused on the length than thinking of the width when I bought it. Now that I have it, I realize that the extra few inches make a big difference. While it adds to comfort, it makes driving narrow streets and parking more difficult. Also with all that width it would seem like honda could have fit more storage nooks into the rear door panels. Overall its a nice truck and has a great ride and I was suprised at how fast it accelerates compared to tacoma. While I got the highest trim level, Im disappointed in some of the material quality (although I also own 2 BMWs and an Acura - so i may be a little spoiled by them). Another complaint is the arm rest set up - I miss a full size console.

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  A truck that keeps you man-hood in tact - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Baltimore Driver - October 26 - 3:22 pm

  With a family of 5 and a house to take care of, this truck does it all. 3 kids (all under 12) fit in the back with plenty of room to spare. The trunk can fit a bag of soccer balls and lawn chairs, or a full trips worth of bags from the grocery store. The bed is perfect for runs to the dump. You sit up high and feel safe. The wifes Odyssey will always be the go-to family vehicle, but having something I can tow the family and all of our bikes with, is a great thing indeed.

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  Wanted to tow my Harley in style - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Russ Kubik - October 23 - 5:47 pm

  I was looking for a compact pickup to do some light towing, some low-stress off-road stuff and Home Depot for plywood or fertilizer. This RTL is the ultimate fusion of a luxury car and a utililitarian truck. The fit/finish is impeccable. The lockable bed trunk is amazing. No more cranking down the spare from underneath the bed if you have a flat. Its on a slide out tray in the bed trunk. Easier to get to than most car spares. Interior is well thought out from cup holders to flip up rear seats which yield plenty of room for 2 yellow labs in comfort. Only knock is blind spot caused by those "wings." Other than that, well, its a Honda so you know the reliability will be there.

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  Running the Ridge - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By KrissQ8 - August 23 - 8:35 pm

  Ridge fits / loads up in the garage next to my ladys Pilot. Many US Need a mans bed in their life- rugged hauling, tool boxes, enough room for the Fam, sedan handling / trunk, AWD for the harshest weather, light offroading, haul motorbikes in the bed, ability to tow more than 2000 pounds. Ridge features reel me in over other midsize- wasnt buying another SUV, wouldnt have traded for another car. My Prelude and old truck merged. -My cool bike rack spring loads across the bed -Getting Torza Hard Hat Premier tonno cover Non navi model stock deck doesnt play .mp3 in any way, so I keep 6 burned CDs in it. If cant make use of Ridges spec offers, would step down to Element.

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  Really a Catruck! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Devdon - August 16 - 3:30 pm

  Looking for a fun useable vehicle, then this is for you. Interior design is excellent, roomy, comfortable, but lacking a little in the quiet dept. Sound system is more than satisfactory. All gages and controls are easy to read and use. Have someone drive it without viewing the exterior they will never know its a truck. Perfect for the city farmer or cowboy. Holly (yea I named it) does have a low whistling sound from the bed when going over 45 mph.