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:

• 

  Ridgeline or Tacoma? - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jim Faust - February 7 - 1:29 pm

  The Ridgeline is a little quirky looking. Kind of SUV with a truck bed but it is very practical with all of its features. Example- I will get much more use out of AWD then I ever would out of 4 WD.

• 

  Part Time Pickup - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Oldse - January 4 - 5:43 pm

  Ive been very impressed with the quality and with the handling. It is just enough pickup for what I need and will fit in my garage (barely).

• 

  Better than Competition - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Reninkle - November 22 - 5:33 am

  Best ride for a truck that Ive experienced. Rear vision is somewhat limited. Turning radius is larger than expected and fuel economy could be improved. All minor inconveniences which all vechiles have some. Biggest complaint I have is when driving at higway spped 55+ there is a constant wind whistle that can not be isolated. Not too bad with radio playing but with no nosie or conversation in the cab, sound becomes very annoying.

• 

  2017 Ridgeline 2 Week Owner - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Colorado Wing - September 27 - 3:14 pm

  The new design and reviews were the main selling points between the Ridgeline and other mid-sized trucks. We were not interested in the infotainment technology of the RTL-T/Es, and the RTL had just the right options for us. I love the smooth non-truck like ride and the quietness overall from exterior noise and road noise. I have not been a fan of the Honda fairly firm seats, but find it quite comfortable mainly because of the terrific suspension offering a very smooth ride. I keep the Econ engaged 99% of the time, only turning it off when real power needed. Results are great with nearly 23-24 mixed city/highway driving. The extra storage trunk in the bed is a huge plus, not to mention the dual opening tailgate. So many great attributes about this 2017 Honda Ridgeline...far too many to mention. I would highly recommend this truck to anyone not really needing a beefy 4wd truck. After researching various buying programs (Edmunds, TruCar, USAA, etc), we found the very best, untouchable price through Costco. Another dealer, who had the exterior/interior color combo we desired available within a couple weeks, matched the one dealer Costco dealt with in the Denver area. I couldnt be happier with the first truck I have ever owned over the past 40 years.

• 

  great truck but - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Savanna - September 24 - 6:40 pm

  I have a 2006 RTL Ridgeline. I had to bring it back to the dealer for repair to the paint in the door jams....cause dirt in the paint.....From Honda??? Bought tonneau cover and its designed to leak in the middle?? Honda Corp claims this is a good design.... I am worried that Hondais no longer a Japanese quality concerned car company......

• 

  squeaky noise - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Albert - September 5 - 10:36 am

  Every time that i put pressure on the steering wheel i heard this squeaking noise, i return it to the dealer but they still canot fix it. plus the seat is a little bit too long, very uncomfortable.

• 

  First in Cincinnati - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ron - June 10 - 10:06 pm

  Great Performance except when the A/C is on. With the A/C on, the automatic transmission shifts up and down often. Great features, like the trunk,GPS, XM Radio. Matter of fact, the radio is fantastic. The truck is more quite than others that I have driven. Nice interior for a truck. The worst attribute is the poor mpg. I have averaged between 15+ to 16+ mpg. including expressway driving.

• 

  Jury is still out! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By marlin - April 3 - 1:43 am

  I have about 5000 miles on my R-line and so far I am disappointed with the fuel economy and I have a few rattels developing inside the cab (passenger- side air bag dash unit). Overall I am satisfied with the handling and minimal road noise. I have used it to haul feed and for limited off-road situations. I would like to run it another 10,000 miles before I would recommend it to a friend.

• 

  best yet - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By scottsdale - March 26 - 1:00 pm

  I drove GM vans for years until they stopped making that model. I needed something to replace the van and a GM surburban that I used to haul and also pull a boat. The Ridgeline fits that dual purpose requirement for passengers and stuff to a T. The fuel mileage could be better, but then again it is a truck.

• 

  Heater will not heat the floor. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By MMartin - January 10 - 4:59 am

  I have tried to put the heat controls pointing to just the floor and due to the small openings there is not enough heat to keep the floor warm. Just took a trip to Chicago and had cold feet all the way. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told it works just like the other 2017 units and that was how it works. Definitely not impressed with the outcome of the dealer visit. My 2003 Jeep Wrangler has a better heater than this new 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS