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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  Supercrew Convert - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By R Nuckles - November 23 - 4:00 pm

  I bought my Ridgeline about a month ago while traveling with my family from Cincinnati to San Antonio. My 2001 F- 150 Supercrew 4x4 5.4L with only 79k miles experienced a repeated stalling problem that my dealer at home, and the one I stopped at in Memphis could not diagnose or fix. Being fed up with my second unfixable Ford of the year, I walked 3 blocks down the street to a Honda dealer and purchased my Ridgeline that afternoon. Though I had read its reviews,I was absolutely dumbfounded by how incredible it was to drive, how roomy its interior was. I own a boat, have a wife, 2 sons and 2 dogs and the Honda handles them all as well or better than my F-150, and handles like a touring sedan.

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  2009 Honda RT Ridgeline - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ed - November 23 - 9:38 am

  I bought a Ridgeline 3 weeks ago. Have used it for hauling dirt bikes, firewood and took it deer hunting in the woods. This thing does it all for the everyday man. Not for the contractor worker. Runs great, peppy, hugs the road - no lean. First out I did trip displays, got 18.2 - 20.3 mpg. Not bad for 500 miles on it. Compares to mpg on my Chevy silverado. Roomy front and back seats and lots of storage. Love the trunk idea. Works great for locking the chain saw in and other valuables. A good all-around multi-use vehicle for the everyday dad/man.

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  Great truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By big guy - November 22 - 8:00 am

  It just runs great in all weather conditions and is fun to drive and is comfortable

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  A Wonderful Choice of Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By marksez - November 21 - 4:47 pm

  I sold my 2004 Canyon and leased my 2007 Ridgeline on 1/1/07, and it was an excellent choice. It was quite a step up from the GMC. It has virtually every possible option someone could want on a truck and rides and works just like you’d expect a Honda to do. We are an all Honda family, a total of 5, and they are all trouble free vehicles. The truck did have a minor transmission fluid leak, which required a major (warranty covered) correction. Admittedly, that left me a little concerned about buying it at the end of the lease. I have to say, that other than wishing it got better gas mileage (17 city and 21 highway is not bad for an all wheel drive truck), it’s a wonderful truck.

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  Good Choice - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Richie - November 10 - 11:07 am

  We were looking for a versatile vehicle, the Ridgeline RTS fits the bill perfectly. We didnt need a work horse like a Ford 150 or GMC mule. I dont need to run off road over rocks and through rivers. The Ridgeline is very comfortable, quiet and the styling does turn heads. Getting 17 in the city and have seen 22.8 on the highway. Use cruise control for best mileage. I enjoy having a good handling vehicle for hauling those lighter loads and towing my 20 boat If you are a not in need of a big truck and want reasonable utility, this is your vehicle. Take it from me, you wont be sorry.

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  Eight days and 2,100 miles - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ned Flanders - November 5 - 11:26 pm

  I enjoy driving this truck. Where I live I have to deal with severe weather and roads and the Ridgeline has performed extremely well. I also need a truck almost every weekend and I need to car pool with adults so this truck meets my needs and did I say this truck is FUN to drive?

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  Great Purchase - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By happyhondaowner - November 5 - 10:24 pm

  I have enjoyed this vehicle overall and recommend it. No, it is not overly powerful, but it does have enough power to do what I need it to. No, it is not overly roomy, but it does have a lot of functional space when configured that way. No, it is not a looker, but there are worse. You WILL be able to fit it in a garage, move moderate sized trailers easily at 55-60 mph. You will also get about an average of 16 miles/gal overall. I have gotten up to 23 (once) and as low as 12 (many times) in the winter. You can fit 5 smaller people comfortably. Not if they are over 200 lbs and 6 ft tall. It is a truck that is not great at anything but good at everything.

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  murrays truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By murray - November 5 - 8:23 am

  The ridgeline is a comfortable and capable truck that is meant for the consumer that hauls small payloads and requires a useful automobile for everyday life. The ridgeline is not just a work truck but a great family vehicle.

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  Ridgeline fan? - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By KARUSA - October 30 - 4:21 pm

  Doesnt fit long legs, short arms well. Honda famous "fit and finish" is lacking. Very underpowered at 245hp and 4500 lbs. Fuel economy in town only 14 not 17 advertised. Hondas implementation of 4WD is not. You can not control it and it works only marginally light offroad and in wet heavy snow on road. The in bed storage is a large plus. Overall, Id buy something else if I had it to do over, I want a better hp/weight ratio which would also help fuel mileage. Its underpowered, had nagging minor issues with trim misfits, vanity lights needed repair -- choose differently folks.

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  Glad I got one - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ken young - October 30 - 12:56 pm

  Still like the truck get to blend in with everyday pickup trucks , when people notice it they come up talk to you about it