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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  Great vehicle - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By blanco basin - September 6 - 12:46 am

  I traded my F-150 SuperCrew for the RidgeLine. Perfect vehicle for me. Has all the safety features I was looking for. It fits in my garage, and will tow my ATV, lawn tractor, and a wagon full of hay a few times a year. The storage compartment holds the groceries nicely.

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  Happy Owner - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By ssgritta - September 5 - 1:55 pm

  I just bought my Ridgeline and have put on 300 miles so far. I traded in my 1999 Dodge Durango with 126,660 miles on it. I love the Ridgeline and all of its features. Very roomy and comfortable drive. Turns heads as i drive down the street. No complaints and I am a satisfied driver

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  Happy camper - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JB - September 4 - 10:43 am

  Very happy with this vehicle. Just took long trip, loaded cab and m/c on back. Handling,power,comfort very good.Hoped for better gas mileage. 2700 Mile trip- only 16 mpg hwy. About 13 city.

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  Best rider and driver truck hands down - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By S. Sanders - September 3 - 9:06 am

  Purchased this truck for my husband. He loves the way it handles and I love the smooth ride. Living in Louisiana and driving on the famous I-10 roller coaster was always a jarring experience. With the Ridgeline you barely feel the bumpy road. There is plenty of room in the rear and for the driver, but I do think the front passenger could use a little more knee room. The swing out rear gate come in handy for easy access to the truck bed. The hidden storage in the bed is great. Overall it is a goid vehicle for our needs and is easier to maneuver and park then the bigger full size trucks. So far so good.

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  A different Truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Greg - September 2 - 8:34 pm

  I traded a Chevy 2500HD LT 4WD Duramax Crew Cab because of fuel prices ($4.50 a gal). I was surprised form the word go. Lots of room, plenty of power, a trunk, AWD (4WD?) and its a Honda. Gas mileage is average, 17 around town. Only one problem so far and it was taken care of at the first oil change ("swing" function on tailgate wouldnt work, "lift" function worked fine). Tows the boat with no problem getting in or out of the ramps (18 ft 3500lbs boat and trailer). The AWD works great, go to 4 LOW if you actually need to, with a button on the dash. Just go drive one...

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  2008 Ridgeline RTS - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mike - August 28 - 3:25 pm

  Truly enjoy this truck! Was looking at a Tacoma, but decided on this for the price and the trunk inside the bed, which justified getting a truck with 2 small children.

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  This RTX truck is fit for a KING! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Elvis Ray - August 27 - 5:08 pm

  I am not your average truck owner. I am an Elvis Impersonator. I carry lots of music and lighting equipment in this truck very often and Everything fits! This RTX handles like a car but feel very safe, quiet and secure. Starts, steers and stops with precision handling. Inside, it will surprise you with its "Roomy" feeling. All controls are within easy reach with No fancy frills. Engine is smooth as silk, trans too. "Pound for Pound" comfort & value, over other full cab brands, is off the charts with this truck! Will seat 5 adults adequately & have full cargo in back too. A lot of guys will complain about gas mpg, I dont. Go drive a U.S. made truck and you wont either! RTX..fit for a KING!

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  More SUV than truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mike - August 25 - 1:15 pm

  Replaced Nissan Frontier with the Honda Ridgeline July 2007. Has many great features plus the reliability of a Honda. I dont require a true pick up most of the time so its payload capacity is fine, really like an SUV in most respects. Gas mileage on hwy is a little disappointing for a V-6 engine, currently about 20 mpg. Honda made a mistake by not using one of their more powerful Acura V-6s, as this vehicle doesnt have the power or torque required for towing or climbing hills. We travel from FL to NC mountains on a regular basis and it works hard to climb the hills. If I required a truck to tow anything, I would not have purchased the Ridgeline.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Darren - August 24 - 10:53 am

  Great truck, the longer I own the more I like it. Cool trunk space under bed and tail gate opening both ways makes loading alot easier. Excellent sound system.

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  Total Satisfaction - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By BCB - August 22 - 2:33 pm

  I am not a car enthusiast, but this vehicle has made me one. I used to use my Ford Ranger to get from place to place and do occasional hauling. I now look forward to driving and Ive already used the vehicle for hauling, finding the bed capacity to be at least that of the Ranger. More importantly, this car is incredibly comfortable, in every way and smooth driving. It feels very roomy inside, with plenty of leg room in front and back. There is tons of storage room, especially considering the flip up back seats and lockable trunk. There are so many places to put things that are so convenient, its hard to explain. I cant emphasize enough how happy I am with this car.