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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  JUNK JUNK JUNK - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Honda Hater - March 13 - 11:02 pm

  Why I purchased this car I will never know. Look Honda has great compact, coupes and sedans.....but trucks???? They should leave it up to others. MPG is 10 at best. Interior is all plastic, cheap looking and rattles. Sun roof seal leaks in water if only glass is closed. Cant wait to get rid of this piece of junk. Only good thing is the stereo system w/ nav. Only 20 more months to go on lease. Then Im running for a Tundra (real truck).

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  Great but not perfect - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By cbrown3381 - March 11 - 5:16 pm

  The Ridgeline is a very impressive truck, and it is a Honda through and through. The engineering, design and build quality are impecable. I do, however, have two issues with the truck. First, the darn thing beeps at you every half mile until you put your seat belt on. I get it after the first beep. I dont need my car strong-arming me into clicking the belt. Second, the cab could use a little more room, especially if its going to compete with full size trucks. The size is perfect for my wife, but if I were driving it full time, Id feel a bit cramped. The under-bed trunk is perfect. No more grocery bags sliding around in the bed.

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  First "New" Truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom Moran - March 8 - 1:52 pm

  Overall experience has been great. I use my truck as my daily driver throughout Minnesota winters and most of the summer. Handling and ride are excellent for a truck, my previous truck was a GMC Sierra and the Honda is better in pretty much every respect other than raw power and towing capacity. Interior design is highly functional but a little drab and goofy in some respects such as the cartoon large interior door pulls. I have towed a race car on a open trailer (near 5000 lbs. total) hundred of miles with no problems and the truck has plenty of pulling power and stability as a tow vehicle. The bed is pure genius not only for the truck but also for the full 48" width.

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  Great family truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By medicalminds - March 7 - 11:15 am

  We have had our truck for about 6 mo and it is great. It is amazing on the snow. My wife is from the south and hates driving our Lexus in the snow but does great with this truck. It handles and rides better than any other truck I test drove (Tundra, Tacoma, F150, Frontier etc.) and it gets reasonable mileage for a truck. It has good acceleration and the inbed storage trunk is a stroke of genius. We are very happy with our truck and would highly recc it to others.

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  Great Truck - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By WRGADog - March 7 - 8:54 am

  I sold my 2006 Ridgeline RTL. Prior to purchasing the 09 Ridgeline I drove each competitors vehicle, and decided to purchase a 2009 Ridgeline RTL w/navigation. In the end, I couldnt part with the in-bed trunk, ride quality, general utility, and balance between car and truck offered by the Ridgeline. The Ridgelines price was also less than comparably equipped 4x4 vehicles from other mfgs. The Ridgelines 4x4 capability is more limited, but it satisfies my needs. So far, I love the truck (700 miles) and the gas mileage has been a respectable 18 mpg with most driving around town. My truck is Billet Silver, w/chrome step bars, silver roof rack, bug deflector, splash guards, and wheel locks.

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  Dependable - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Gary Sr. - March 4 - 6:19 pm

  We love our Ridgeline except suggested improvements see below). Have over 50K and still runs quiet like new. We pull a boat about 4,000 lbs and it is fine but not real good mileage. It has no rattles inside is quiet and my dog and kids cant hurt the interior.

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  Love my truck..... - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By Joe - February 26 - 12:50 am

  I love my truck. I purchased it new and put 50,000 miles in the first three years and it was a great commuter over highways and hilly back roads. We both retired in 2016, and it great for picking up garden supplies and transporting our bikes and kayak. Although, I did have to buy a bed extender to hook up to the trailer hitch for the kayak. The only thing two comments is that I am hesitant to take it on the beach with the computer control traction. Ive read about the problems in soft sand. I understand the problem has been solved on the 2017 model. But, its a real beast in the snow. You can take off from a dead stop with traction control and not slip and slid and stopping is no problem at all. The other problem is the radio reception, poor. Oh yes, one last comment. I never encountered this problem, but have always been concerned. What if you have the truck bed loaded up and you get a flat. The spare is in the trunk under the bed. That said, it is a great vehicle. Update - 7/17/17 - Still Loving it.

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  ridgeline,you should be mine - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By robbin steele - February 17 - 10:16 pm

  very comfortable and quiet, didnt care for the $1500 blacked out edition,but sunroof is only available on top two trim levels-and anything else is difficult to find(hondas fault?) nice ride,lotsa storage-nice compromise if you need a truck that acts like a car.

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  85% Perfect - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By tallwoods - February 17 - 5:43 pm

  I have a Volvo V70 that I drive daily (18k miles/yr), and a Mitsu Montero that I off road. I wanted one car to do it all, and the Ridgeline is almost that car. It drives VERY well, but it needs more ground clearance for off-roading. The 4x4 system is good enough, but it bottoms out too easy. The bed should be 6" longer, same as the F150 SuperCrew (56"). The bed needs a power outlet! The exhaust hangs low and will get destroyed off-roading. I dont climb rocks, but there are rocks on the trails and 2-track roads I take... The sound system is weak. Love the climate control. Would like to easily remove the rear seats when needed. And it needs to look "brawnier", like a Subaru Brat.

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  My Opinion - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Denny - February 17 - 9:56 am

  After 3 months I have some opinions about the new Ridgeline. Overall I have few complaints. My mileage has been around 18 mpg for city and highway driving. I have had no problems of any kind with the vehicle in the first 2500 miles. There is a small problem with rear quarter visibility but with proper adjustment and use of sideview mirrors I have had no close calls. I didnt like the fact that the doors didnt unlock when the vehicle was put in park but checking the manual gave me information about how to reprogram the locks so they do now unlock when put in park. I have driven the Ridgeline in ice and snow and was able to go anywhere I needed to including very slick hills.