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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  To Pull My Harley - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By HARLEYGURL - October 29 - 8:54 pm

  I looked for a truck for 2 months. From Chevy Avalanche, Silverado, to a Tundra. I didnt think about the Ridgeline, I always said it was a womans truck as well as it didnt look good. Well after test driving and comparing prices for what I was looking for in a truck the truck I thought was unattractive was what I bought. I love it and it looks good. I traded a Mercedes Benz ML SUV for my Ridgeline, to pull my Harley. Ive gotten so many compliments on my brand new 2008 White Honda Ridgeline. Go Honda. Oh yeah ladies men love the truck too!

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  First 1000 miles impression - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Blue - October 26 - 6:06 am

  I have taken this truck through snow, sleet, storm and ice in the last 3 weeks. There is nothing that was unexpected or undesirable. I did not try off-road becasue I do not intend to go thru mud. Basically, this is a truck that drives almost like a car. I looked at the other mid-size trucks, but they do not have all the luxury features.

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  Simple - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jonathan Franklin - October 24 - 1:20 am

  Its not the snazziest truck, but it delivers. Its a honda, not a BMW. Its runs, and runs

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  Even better than Expected! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Michael - October 19 - 5:59 pm

  My Wife and I bought this because our 2003 Sonoma extended cab proved too small for our needs. After looking at a number of offerings, and both of us DRIVING them, the Ridgeline stood out as the best handling, and it had a trunk! Add the stylish and very comfortable interior, two way tailgate, AWD,and HONDA reliability, it was a no brainer. After 15,000 miles, 3 synthetic oil changes and a K&N filter...19.4 in town, 25.5 highway (spirited driving). Prior to these changes, we got 15.2 in mixed driving. You will use the trunk more than you think. Go give it a look, a drive and with end of year pricing a great deal too.

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  Most versatile SUV available - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bob - October 16 - 12:48 pm

  If you want a luxury sedan, its close. If you want a work truck, its close. If you want a tow vehicle, its good there too. I just towed a 4200 lb. trailer over 4,000 miles with my Ridgeline, and encountered no problems. Going over the Rockies sometimes required full power for several minutes, but the temp. gauge barely moved. Very stable, even when semis. passed by. The cab is roomy, and it is fun to drive. I average 19.3 MPG commuting 80 miles, but the mileage dropped to 11.2 towing. The Ridgeline is, in my opinion, the most versatile, high quality vehicle available.

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  Best Everday Vehicle Ever - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Gary - October 13 - 11:50 pm

  Have now had my truck for 3-1/2 years and 113,000 miles. Has done everything I needed from towing my ski boat (3000 #) in the summer to driving Stevens Pass 14,500 feet of elevation in the snow every weekend in the winter. It has been my daily driver as a salesperson and had never given me a problem. I have averaged 18 MPG on a daily basis.

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  Riding the Ridge - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Steve - October 12 - 11:30 pm

  Truck has an excellent ride, like a large Accord, plenty of power. A few quality concerns in the beginning but Im sure mine was one of the first off the line, all have been corrected. Stock Stereo is great, very comfortable and quiet interior. Exterior design is growing on me, NAVI is very user friendly and can be voice activated. Gas mileage has been so so during the break-in period probably about 16mpg. mixed driving. Take one for a drive its packed with Honda innovation. Honda cant miss with this one. 3 months free XM is nice its easy to get hooked.

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  Not Bad - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Trucker - October 12 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this truck(sort of) in May. I have 10K miles. This truck is easy to drive with great brakes and a nice suspension. It tows my bass boat and 14 trailer with no problems except for frequent shifting. One annoying thing is that the truck routinely shifts out of top gear on the highway even without a trailer. Engine could use more low end to reduce shifts. Great upper end power. Seats seem to stain easily. Interior storage is nice. Have noticed some torque steer trying to pass. This truck is really handy and practical. Other vehicle is a 2005 F150. Ridgeline is easier to drive and park. Only reason for F150 is hauling horses. Overall it is a great truck that can handle almost everything.

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  who needs black - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By tom - October 12 - 9:38 am

  good value for the money. tech is easy to understand and overall appearance is excellent. The handeling and power is very good. When you take it out of eco drive the available power is there when you need it. Overall gas mileage is very good for a truck. The different driving modes are good and living in Buffalo NY the snow mode is used quite often and works well. It is very comfortable driving and as we have already taken several long trips without feeling wrung out after a long drive. The highest in gas mileage was 29 mpg the 24.7 mpg the lowest. We love the in bed trunk and in bed speakers are great and the led bed lights are helpful in loading and unloading in the dark. As we dont do a lot of towing this is not much of an issue. We liked the fact we did not have to by a bed liner. The radio controls are good a dial would have been nice touch but as I use the steering wheel controls this is not a big deal. The Garmin navigation works well. We both love driving this truck it has everything we need and more. You just gotta love this truck. Handles great in all kinds of weather.Its like having a comfortable pair of shoes you wear all the time. The only things done have been oil changes and tire rotation. They did service the brakes at 11000 miles which is normal. the garmin update was easy and took about an hour. If you need help call Garmin they were very good. Gas mileage is still good.

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  Hondas First Truck a Success - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By J. Anderson - October 11 - 5:50 am

  Had the truck about two months. Never driven a truck that is so quiet or smooth. It drives so comfortably but is still a truck.