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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  WOOOOOOOW - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ridgey - August 1 - 7:53 am

  After looking at all the other midsize trucks, I was impressed by all the features my truck has and others dont. The ride is smooth and the power is there. Very quiet interior, but Im always blasting the XM, that it does not matter. Excellent stock audio system! Geez, there is too many things I like about this truck, and Ive run out of room. HONDA, ITS ABOUT TIME YOU BUILT A TRUCK.

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  Nice Ride - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By RHH - July 30 - 11:43 pm

  Traded in a 2002 Silverado which I really liked. The Ridgeline fit my needs better and has proven to be an awesome vehicle for the family. It drives superb, handles better on icy/snowy roads than any vehicle Ive ever driven, and is comfortable. It tows fine, and has handled light off-road travel well. Gas mileage has been exactly as advertised and better. I routinely get 16-17 in town in the winter and 17-19 in the summer. Highway mileage has been better than expected, almost always between 21-23 mpg. Fully loaded with 4 people and 500-600 lbs of camping gear, the truck averaged 22 mpg @ 65-70 mph in varied terrain. Its a little ugly, but Id buy another today.

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  Winner - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Scott - July 25 - 10:00 pm

  Honda is at it again. This truck is great. Im not hauling lumber, but it pulls my camper with ease and with decent economy. Great ride and of course Honda reliability.

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  Best New Product on the Market! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rene R Garcia - July 20 - 6:10 am

  Well I had the opportunity to be the first to purchase this vehicle at Hudson Honda. It has so many features that are so versatile, that this car can be an all day truck.

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  Love this nearly perfect truck! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By David - July 17 - 6:58 pm

  Bought my 2008 RTS in April 2008 and got $4,500 cash rebate. Out the door I paid about $6k below sticker price -- nice! The truck is my second vehicle (1st is a BMW M3), and I use it pretty much only for carrying a quad to Rocky Point, Mexico, or out to the desert here in Phoenix. The Ridgeline is perfect for these trips....the ride is amazingly smooth (better than my BMW) and the truck tows and hauls pretty effortlessly. Mileage varies from about 15-20mpg, but again this is always with a 400lb TRX450 quad in the back which is both heavy and not aerodynamic, so I am not complaining. Plus, did you know gas is only $2.15/gal. in Mexico??

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  This is a great truck! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By neededatruck - July 14 - 8:46 pm

  This is my third new truck in 3 years. Started with a Hemi went back to a Sportrac and now the Ridgeline. The Sportrac was good but this is great. More power, better brakes ,AWD, NAV, inbed trunk etc... I use my truck for business, hauling from hardware store, loads of dirt and the normal household chores. This does them all well. The ride dynamics are much superior to any of the trucks I have owned in the past (not just the last 3 years) I dont believe that the Ridgeline will be a threat to those that need the lift kits, big knobby tires and a V8 with loud pipes, but for the average user this is the real deal.

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  Ridgeline RTS - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By D Benton - July 14 - 1:14 pm

  This is an excellent truck. It is fun to drive, built very well and Honda as a company has been very proactive to survey me. I love it!

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  Love our ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Virginia - July 13 - 3:32 pm

  Comfortable roomy great storage.

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  The Perfect Compromise - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Big Dave - July 8 - 1:46 pm

  After trying different trucks, this was the one that suited my needs the best. It has the right size (not too big), comfort (leather!) and utility (a bed AND a trunk!) for my familys needs. We can tow, take it off road, haul the groceries as well as the Home Depot run and it does all that in comfort and style. Its safe, reliable and well thought out. The best thing is that it does not bounce you around like other kidney-buster 4X4s. 90% of truck owners use them to commute. The Ridgeline will get you back & forth without beating you black & blue. A success for Honda.

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  Modern Multifunction - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Randy - July 4 - 3:11 pm

  I had narrowed my purchase options down to 4 door 4 wd compact trucks; Tacoma, Colorado and Ridgeline. the first Ridgeline I was able to drive was the Black Edition. I was always leaning toward a Tacoma but I test drove the Tacoma, Colorado and Ridgeline back to back. Unfortunately the Tacoma engine- transmission gearing feels wrong, on the highway with the cruise control on the Tacoma had to downshift and was screaming to maintain 70 mph up a small hill. The Ridgeline in contrast feels smooth, refined, powerful, the engine is not screaming to maintain 70 mph up a small hill on the highway. The Colorado actually finished in second place in my new truck list, it feels smaller inside. I choose the Ridgeline; Honda reliability, gas mileage, handling & ride. I wasnt sure I was going to like the way it looked from the official photos but when I saw the BE I loved the modern new truck look. This Ridgeline combines the functionality of and takes the place of my Subaru Forester and my old 93 2wd Toyota truck. In my first 500 miles I turned the Econ mode on and got 27 mpg with the adaptive cruise control set at 70 mph. When I switched Econ off and drive normal combined city highway at speeds exceeding 75 mph I still got 24 mpg. I can live with that mpg. The interior feels large and refined, mine has lots of leather, and more technological bells and whistles than I need, Adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, push button start, Apple car-play, rear camera, blind spot warning, cross traffic monitor, lane departure warning-correction, emergency front collision avoidance braking, sunroof, power rear slider, power everything, 540 watt stereo, three zone climate control with rear vents, Led lights everyplace, multiple usb ports, and the best party trick is the truck bed audio system. The Ridgeline Black edition feels like; a luxury car, a sports car, a big suv, and a truck all rolled into one. I dont plan to go off roading I plan to take long trips, tailgate, fill the back seat with grandkids, and occasionally haul a full sheet of plywood or a load of mulch. Its early, but I love it! Update: Ive put 12,000 plus miles on my Ridgeline in the first 6 months. From Colorado to Atlantic Beach where this truck really shines is on long cross country drives. Crossing the Kansas prairie with the adaptive cruise control set on 77 I averaged 27.8 MPG. The Lane Keeper Assist technology takes some getting "used to" the first time you feel the truck gently turning the steering wheel in your hands it is a bit unsettling. However this combination of semi autonomous features is most helpful on long interstate drives. Its comforting to know the truck will not run over that car slowing in front of you and it will help you stay in your lane. This week while getting some service work done I sat in a new sport edition Ridgeline just for comparison. It confirmed my decision to buy the top of the line Black Edition. One wierd service issue came up, for about the last 6 thousand miles I have been hearing a noise that seemed to be coming from the front suspension, the first dealer that performed an oil change could not find anything wrong. After listening to this rattle and getting increasingly annoyed I took it to a second dealer and asked to demonstrate the noise for the technician. He said immediately it sounds like someone left a tool in there. 2 hours later he produced a small penlight flashlight that was found in the radiator support bracket. Since I had never seen the flashlight before and the noise started before its first service Im not sure how it got in there. But the noise is gone. I love this truck.