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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  Read this before you buy - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Charlie1974 - June 23 - 8:22 am

  I drove the Ridgeline RTL-T and found the interior cramped especially around the driving pedals -- the parking brake pedal interferes with foot and leg movement. Try stretching your leg all the way out...tall guys cant do it. The tailgate does not have a lock--good for thieves to steal -- yes this does happen. Ground Clearance is awful -- 7 and a half inches. After the drive we pulled into a parking slot at the dealer and the front end scraped on the cement parking barrier. So much for any off road fun. Spare tire is a donut and not really good for any off road areas. Option packages do not include an XM radio until you are in the RTL-T price range of $35,860. This is ludicrous, as the "lower" priced models of $30,000 to $34,000 dont have a decent entertainment system. Any vehicle that is priced over $30K should at least have an XM radio. Also who really needs speakers in the truck bed?? Towing capacity is very weak...how am I supposed to tow my three Honda motorcycles to the motocross XC events? Bottom Line: This "truck" is not a working truck. It is for people who like the image of driving a truck, but dont need the utility of hauling or going to off road areas. I would call this a Sport Utility Truck, as it is just another Pilot but without the covered luggage area. Honda had the opportunity to build a Tacoma crushing vehicle, but has instead built a truck that people cant decide whether it is a Sport Utility Vehicle or just a weak truck. On the positive side...my wife likes it.

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  No way 21 mpg! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By john - April 11 - 4:37 am

  I average 15mpg with my 2006 Ridgeline. The service writer told me the best to expect is 18mpg. Low power and poor mpg. Cramped interior. I bought because of the truck of the year hype.

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  THIS IS NO TRUCK - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By General crazy - October 5 - 7:03 pm

  1. IT CANT TOW AT ALL no more then maybe 6000 lbs. if youre lucky which i was not. They could learn a lot form Ford about trucks! 2. It has some room but the avalanche is much better! 3. This truck needs better MPG It has about as much as the american trucks but it is sissy truck! So It could have more!

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  I sold my 2017 Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Phillips - September 23 - 9:53 pm

  I am a Honda person and have had at least ten of them from the original Civic through a 2015 CRV. Honda makes great cars, but the Ridgeline is not a truck for anyone who needs a durable rugged truck for serious truck work. Below is what I think about the RTL I owned: My Ridgeline RTL interior was cramped especially around the driving pedals -- the parking brake pedal interferes with foot and leg movement. Try stretching your leg all the way out...tall guys cant do it. The tailgate does not have a lock--good for thieves to steal -- yes this does happen. Ground Clearance is awful -- 7 and a half inches. Several times when I pulled into parking slots the front end scraped on the cement parking barrier. So much for any off road fun. Spare tire is a donut and not really good for any off road areas. Option packages do not include an XM radio until you are in the RTL-T price range of $35,860. This is ludicrous, as the "lower" priced models of $30,000 to $34,000 dont have a decent entertainment system. Any vehicle that is priced over $30K should at least have an XM radio. Also who really needs speakers in the truck bed?? Towing capacity is very weak. Yes the RTL has a tow bar, but that is all. The RTL does not have an oil cooler or ATF cooler and did not come with a pigtail. The Pigtail is an extra $400 and there is no after market add ons for the oil or ATF coolers. An oil cooler and ATF cooler is not available unless you buy the $39,000 all wheel drive version. Yes this is true. Bottom Line: This "truck" is not a working truck. It is for people who like the image of driving a truck, but dont need the utility of hauling or going to off road areas. I would call this a Sport Utility Truck, as it is just another Pilot or but without the covered luggage area. Yes I owned a 2003 Pilot and it was better in all respects to the 2017 Ridgeline Honda had the opportunity to build a Tacoma crushing vehicle, but has instead built a truck that people cant decide whether it is a Sport Utility Vehicle or just a weak truck. When you pull up to a stop light next to a Tacoma, Tundra or F150, you dont have the height of a real truck and it is not usable as rugged, durable, truck. On the positive side...my wife liked it.

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  Poor value and not up to par with others - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By eddie324 - July 27 - 5:56 pm

  I have owned my ridgline for about 5 months and have not been pleased. I average consistently 16 to the gallon and that is bad for a V6, i nearly get that on my wifes f150 5.4. The brakes are starting to make a squeal at 6k and its getting annoying. very uncomfortable seats and small interior. The thing that most made me angry is my axle seals needed to be replaced at 3350 miles which seems to be common with these and electrical failure. I bought this car because my 88 honda was good. not the case with this.

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  not what they used to be, expected more. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Brent Jones - July 21 - 8:03 am

  I have owned many makes and models and this is not one i recomend. I own a 2004 chevrolet silverado and a 2003 dodge ram as well currently. my son drives the ram which has 43000 and my wife has 19500 on her chevy and they have been far better on quality and simular on gas with large V8s. i bought this due to the old rep for reliability that honda has. I had my instrument panel replaced due to failure and my axle is having some trouble. and on an 06 with 5500 miles this is not good.

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  Should have studied it more - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Should have studied it more - September 26 - 9:11 pm

  I have bought more than ten new Accords and Fits and always been please completely. Buying the Ridgeline was a mistake I made. It seems to me to be mostly plastic and not designed with the owner in mind. The engine has a timing belt rather than a chain which will require substantial cost in the future if I keep it which I probably will not. The engine is covered with a shield that is secured with rubber grommets that came off and went flying when I removed it. It was difficult to reinstall. The bed is slanted such that it holds moisture and dust. It is difficult to get in and out of the drivers seat. The view out the back window is restricted by the head rests. The road noise is more than any vehicle I have owned but I understand some think this is from the Firestone tires. The ride seems floaty like being in a boat. I thought I was buying a Honda truck but instead got a Honda car with a partial truck bed that seems to not be designed by the Honda engineers that structure the cars. The bells and whistles are far too many and seem to be added in some cases because they could be rather than being needed. The instructions of using them take time to comprehend. The selection was my fault for having owned many Hondas in the past and never having to investigate the quality of any of them. Study the vehicle in depth before buying and you may be very pleased but as it is different so do not assume it is like prior Honda vehicles you may have owned.

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  2017 Honda Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By makecues - July 6 - 10:52 pm

  The 2017 Ridgeline has nice engineered features , but many aspects are very poor . Ride and handling , as well as performance for what it is are good . Materials are very cheap , poor quality on seats and interior trim . The plastics used in this vehicle are not durable and the finish deteriorates quickly . The exterior trim plastic as well is cheap and fragile ... Less than a year old it has faded and begun to get chalky . Wheel well plastic trim is loose which will top dirt and rot out the panels quickly . Service department explanation was thats the way it is ... hmmm ... working on your own vehicle is a pain , oil filter is in worst position possible , drop anything at the front of engine compartment , say goodbye unless you want to spend hours removing shielding ! Fairly nice concept from Honda but poorly executed and with very little support from the aftermarket . The first impression from many will be to the positive but if you look at the details , its not a good value ...MHO

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  Brakes defective - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bob Akins - March 1 - 9:49 pm

  2017 and presumably 2018 Honda Ridgeline have poor brake rotors. Over heat and warp quickly. Entire vehicle shakes.