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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  All that its cracked up to be. - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom - September 22 - 1:48 pm

  I have put on 50000 miles and am extremely satisfied. This truck is well engineered, runs flawlessly, and has features not found in any other competitor. Mileage is 20+ average and the fit and finish are superb. I have had no mechanical issues.

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  2017 Ridgeline Rocks! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Paul Billings - September 16 - 6:02 pm

  The new Ridgeline handles great and the ride is more car-like. The interior is spacious while the seats are comfortable and provide good support. The truck has a large trunk that can be locked. I purchased the RTL trim level because the radio has dials for volume and tuning.

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  Good but not great - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By FLIPSIX - September 7 - 11:29 pm

  Great AWD truck. Styling is great. Friendly driver controls. Good power considering the weight. Problems included the tailgate lever which was replaced. Makes this start up noise- "normal" per dealership. Huh??? Showed me a youtube excerpt about. Supposedly wont cause any problems, uhuh...Storage is great especially the hidden bed trunk. Poor gas mileage 15- 17mpg city 18mpg combined and thats pushing it.

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  Honeymoon - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By J. Carson - September 7 - 12:30 pm

  I have only had my Ridgeline for 10 days and I am excited about driving this truck for a long time. I think Honda built this truck for me. It fits very well for my truck needs. This truck is incredible to drive. It has a solid, firm yet comfortable ride. The driving position is one of control and security. It is simply fun and easy to drive. I dont do off road 4 wheeling, but I do live on steep, winding gravel roads, and I have yet to break traction in any driving situation. I look forward to seeing how the truck goes in the snow. I got slightly over 19mpg on my first tank of gas, which I am very happy with, as it was all around town, out in the country, run like a mad man driving.

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  Fantastic - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ian - September 5 - 3:26 pm

  From the time we purchased the Ridgeline all of my friends thought it was the coolest vehicle on the market, which it is! The interior design is perfect and it drives like a dream. (17 y.o. son) My son is right. Drives it more than I do. Mom was against getting any truck, until we test drove it. She fell in love immediately - interior extremely high quality as is exterior. Very comfortable, even back seat. Isnt a Luxury car - yet has a feel of luxury and quality. Runs very smooth. 6 banger - not construction worker heavy duty truck, but strong and will do more than we will ever need. I cannot say enough - best car I have ever owned in my 36 years of driving. >17 yo dad

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  Best truck Ive ever driven - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Nathan E Cieminski - September 3 - 9:53 am

  This is by far the best truck Ive ever driven. All the features and safety ratings are top notch. You couldnt drive a better truck. The tailgate alone with the extra truck space is amazing. The sound system and navigation is top notch.

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  Gas Mileage Poor - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Charles - September 2 - 3:34 pm

  I have enjoyed driving my 2007 Honda Ridgeline truck, however, it has come to lease end and I will be turning it in for a new 2009 Acura TL w/Tech Pkg. I have nothing but praise for the Ridgeline. It did have an electrical problem (computer chip and electronic board fried) within a month after my purchase. Also, the handles above the right and left rear passenger doors came loose and was about to fall off. Weird since I dont ever have passengers back there. The service department said that it probably was threaded wrong at the factory. Also, the back lighting on the heated seat HI/LO button (drivers side) kept burning out prematurely.

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  WINNER CROSSOVER CLASS INAUGURAL REBELLE RALLY - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Meli Barrett - September 2 - 3:21 pm

  The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was our chosen competitor vehicle for the Inaugural Rebelle Rally this past October and we took 1st Place in rossover class. We were entered in the crossover class because of the Ridgelines unibody construction and its All Wheel Drive. This did not limit us at all! We had a blast driving this truck from Lake Tahoe, Nevada down 2000 km offroad to the sand dunes of Glamis, CA. The entire time this truck was a champ. Ours is called Goldie and she handled like a dream. We were on all types of terrain from flat packed dirt roads, double tracks, open desert including lumps of vegetation to maneuver around, rocky inclines and mountain ridges! We drove in washes and gullies, dry lake beds and OHV trails. We saw parts of the country unseen by many and our Ridgeline capably got us there! We were impressed, but not at all surprised! Everyone who had a chance to drive Goldie during our training, fell in love with her abilities! Not only did we outscore our closest opponent by 140 pts, we finished 4th overall (36 teams) and we finished second, by two points, behind the winner of the bone stock award which was given to the stock vehicle with the most earned points. We loved this truck so much, we are taking her back for round two, this coming October! We had to haul spare parts, camping gear, 2 pair of MAXTRAX, a spare offroad tire, safety equipment, air compressor, luggage, snacks, tools, maps and navigating equipment, a driver and a navigator and there was plenty of room for everything we needed just by putting it in the cargo area with the rear seats lifted up, and also within that beautiful in bed trunk!! Some serious separation anxiety happened when we returned back to our real lives, but while we were a rally driver and a rally navigator, and Goldie was our third teammate...we loved every minute of being a team! If you want further information on the Rebelle Rally, please visit rebellerally.com. I hope to inspire other Ridgeline owners to take your trucks off-road, off the beaten path and most especially just out of the driveway to explore and adventure together! See you in the dirt!!!

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  Great Truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Sam - September 2 - 7:23 am

  Was in the market for an RTL-E but ended up buying a Black Edition based on a great deal I received. Ive put about 1,000 miles on the truck so far, and overall Ive been very pleased.

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  Ridgeline Review - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Honda Ridgeline - August 29 - 11:50 am

  This is the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned! I have had it 8 months and it is fantastic! I have owned other 4wd vehicles but this one came equipped with everything! The flexibility that comes from having a lockable trunk, comfortable 5 passenger seating and bed built for hauling 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, in addition to having built-in tiedowns, bed lights for loading at night and the power to pull my 20 ft fiberglass boat with extra motor and gear is unique!!! I would definitely recommend this vehicle to my friends!!!