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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  Loved Ridgeline until fire - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kim - December 20 - 11:32 pm

  We loved our Honda Ridgeline. Great truck, my husband used it for his work as a construction supply company owner. He frequently hauled building materials with this truck. He also drove it long distances without a single problem. Everything was great about this truck, until it caught on fire today, and is now sitting in the towing companys lot, waiting to see what can be salvaged. Ive been a loyal Honda/Acura owner for years, we also own a Civic and an Acura MDX, but we will not be replacing this Ridgeline with another Honda.

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  Really like it!! - 2012 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dave Lobacz - December 20 - 8:14 am

  Really like the idea of having a vehicle with a bed but on independent suppension and a unibody. Good ride and solid.

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  My new 2017 Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By jpmac08 - December 19 - 8:11 am

  I really enjoy this vehicle but I do have a few however. I wanted a small pickup to commute and do occasional work. I narrowed my choices down to the Ridgeline, Tacoma and the Colorado. I picked the Ridgeline on comfort and I was able to get a little better deal through COSTCO. I love driving it. Along the way I have found a few things that I am not excited about. My battery went dead and I went to jump start it according to the owners manual. Honda for whatever reason has not made this easy. You have to remove a shield before attaching cables. A huge hassle. Secondly the instrument council controls are not automatically lit. I had to make a drive late a night and wanted to turn off the A/c. Had to turn on cabin lights o see controls. A back light would have been nice. Finally, in todays world I would think a small truck could get 20 MPH average for all driving. My Ridgeline gets 18.5. Disappointing. I would by this vehicle again, I really enjoy it and the dealer I have bought it from has been great. At the end of the day, nothing is perfect. Honda can easily address my "CONS".

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  A must have for every household!! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Brian - December 18 - 6:40 pm

  Ive only had my RL-RTL for a month and a half, but I know I made the right decision the moment I drove it off the lot! Its great on the job site and it hold my two sons car seats with plenty of room to spare! My wife even likes it!

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  Not happy at all - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kyle - December 18 - 1:10 am

  This is supposed to be a truck. Everyone raves, Motor Trend names it "TRUCK of the year" and I ordered one. It arrived 3 weeks late, and its basically a jacked up accord. The "bed" if you can call it that is useless, it has low approach angle, and scrapes on the most miniscule inclines, it has no ground clearance, and no torque! The passengers rear door didnt close right and I had to take that in to be fixed. If this is what Honda considers a TRUCK, they are sadly mistaken. It will be sold after next April, and Ill be looking at Toyota and Ford. And looking a LOT more closely than just at Honda Trend Magazine. Those guys must be getting bribes!

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  Comfort will be an issue - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By D² - December 16 - 9:26 am

  Dead pedal prevents me from extending my left leg whilst driving and there is no room between the dead pedal and the brake to extend my left leg. (Emergency brake is too obtrusive as well.) Arm rests for driver are too small and wimpy...I would have preferred a large ratcheting cushion over the center bin. Rear seat room is very limited when I have the drivers seat set to my liking. No memory features for seats AND mirrors. Center console information system is too unwieldy. EXCELLENT cabin isolation! Why oh why did the Honda marketing/sales geniuses decide that Canada should get the vented front seats and the USA only gets the heated ones???? Common Honda, enlighten the masses on that great call!

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  6 months review - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By 67 goat - December 15 - 3:53 am

  Had a ram 5.9 4x4 9mpg 28 service trips MY ridge has 9500 miles on it. Im using mobil one oil bp shell mobil gas.first trip of 2300 miles I got 23 mpg on highway. And this is with climate control on.I do have a cover on bed. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. Last trip of 1450 miles using sunoco a blended gas I got 20 mpg. City driving 17 mpg. The navi on a trip is great just tell it where want to go and your there. Worth the extra bucks. This truck is not cheap but once you got some miles on it WOW. Dont need a truck that pulls 9500 pounds or climbs mountain. Thats why I own a ridge

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  Works Like a Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By MontanaRoadRunner - December 14 - 12:02 am

  Most fun to drive since my 67 Mustang. Safe and stable on snow and ice. Climbs MT mountain highways doing 80 with no problem. Pulls 14 dual axle flatbed and 8x12 cargo trailer with ease - although gas mileage takes a severe nose dive. All of the comforts of my Accord, with the ability to haul loads - and Ive hauled lots of rock, wood, brush. All wheel goes everywhere I need to go, including mud, snow, ice, and some very rough roads, plus off road - short of boulder climbing. Lots of places to store things, comfortable.

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  07 Honda Ridgeline - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ridge2008 - December 13 - 1:44 pm

  I am more then satisfied with my Ridgeline. I purchased it less then a year ago but I have a decent commute and have taken it on numerous roadtrips. I just got back from going over a mountain pass with snow/ice, etc. NO PROBLEMS with getting the Ridgeline over. Tight steering, smooth ride, super quiet even at 80+MPH (country highways). Rugged enough to take on trails... wouldnt recommend for more than moderate "four-byin" (4x4). Exterior design is very unique. If you like the Chevy Avalanche, youll enjoy the Ridgeline. Its essentially a Sport Utility Truck along the same lines of the Ford Exp. Sport Trac, etc. Otherwise GREAT truck HIGHLY recommend.

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  Love this truck! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By amy - November 24 - 10:57 pm

  All the best features of a crew cab truck and a station wagon combined. Room for 4 adult passengers, dry cargo area, towing, sheet goods and lumber-friendly bed, dual action tail gate. 58,000 miles in a little over 2 years, its been great.