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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  One month after purchase - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Steve Ostling - November 6 - 6:48 pm

  Traded in our 2009 Ridgeline w/ all bells and whistles. The new 2017 is lighter, quieter, steers straighter, more alive and fun to drive. The navigation is way easier lights are where they should be and both the headlights and taillights , LED are beautiful. RDl-E. love it

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  ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By bea - November 2 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this vechile for the saftey features as well as the space. i traded in a 03 toyota 4runner for this vechile. I have enjoyed driving it, its extremely smooth ride. the kids have more room than before. as well as having the trunk in the back. i wouldnt trade this truck.

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  I love this car! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By ken guiles - October 29 - 3:53 am

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  Love the Ridgeline - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Deron Bender - October 27 - 12:22 pm

  Never consider myself a "truck-guy" but now I dont think I could consider driving something other than the Ridgeline type truck/SUV/car. I consider the outside looks a blend of a truck and SUV but it really drives like a car. I use the truck bed way more than I could have imagined but it still never feels like Im driving a truck. It feels better than my wifes Lexus 470 and thats no knock on the 470. The bottom line is the inside feels like an SUV, the back is enough of a truck for what 90% of us need when hauling things and it drives like a solid car...couldnt be happier!

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  Great truck, horrible gas mileage - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By EA - October 22 - 11:26 pm

  Purchased the Ridgeline in May 07. PROS: In-bed locking trunk, good handling and great turn radius for a truck, extremely comfortable and roomy interior with extra roomy center console, decent power from V6. CONS: Horrrible gas mileage (under suggested sticker), terrible blind spots making it very hard to see to your left, right, or rear, base stereo system lacks any mids (I have heard better quality from a ham radio), seems like you have to gas it to accelerate at a decent pace. All in all, its a very good vehicle if you dont mind forking out loads of cash for gas or backup or change lanes often. Those two issues are enough to have me trading it in this week.

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  Wow! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By steve - October 17 - 1:15 pm

  After 6 years with my Toyota Tacoma, I felt it was time to change. After comparing the Tacoma, Frontier and Ridgeline, I went with the Ridgeline because of the ride, comfort and storage room. All three are solid bets, depending on your need. Some say the Ridgeline is not a real truck but I have had it off road with no problems. I love this truck.

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  Honda Ridgeline RTL - love it! - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dan - October 15 - 6:33 pm

  This is the first review that I have ever written for a product but I could not resist because the Ridgeline is such an excellent vehicle. I purchased the Ridgeline used about one year ago with only 13K miles and have driven it for 15K miles. It is the first pick-up that I have owned and love it. Prior to purchasing, I did plenty of research and test drove the old and new 2017 model. In my opinion, the new 2017 model is just OK. My personal preference is the old design. Things like most: car-like ride; comfort; tons of interior storage capacity and compartments; in-bed trunk (holds two sets of golf clubs); the mid-size makes it easy to maneuver (my wife has no problem driving it); traction in the snow; easy-to-use controls (knobs and buttons vs the new touch screen); gate swings to the side (very convenient). Things where improvement could be made: has no memory seat; poor radio reception; the "on" / "off" indicator for air conditioning setting is small and difficult to read; poor compass. Extra accessories: bed cover (keeps things dry and improves gas mileage); rubber bed mat for protection; cargo net (works great for holding cargo in place). We have owned several Hondas. They are very dependable. Would highly recommend the Ridgeline.

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  Seperate yourself from the norm. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By RTLTATE - October 14 - 11:20 am

  Ive owned them all, and if you are the average consumer with the need for light duty towing and room for five men, this is the truck for you. Not too big, not too small.

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  Beats my OJ Simpson Bronco - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By David Anderson - October 3 - 3:22 pm

  I had an OJ Simpson 1995 Bronco for a little over 10 years. It was reliable, drank gasoline like a thirsty boozer and rode like a vehicle from hell re lack of comfort. Im retired, fly fish, pull small boats, go off road as well as drive in town and local trips. Ride is good. The grandkids love to ride in and prefer it over my wifes Lexus. The mileage has been a disappointment with an average of about 16 per tank. I normally beat the estimated mileage, not here. The lack or real off road under vehicle protection is a pain. Apparently, that is due to the Honda lawyers. The vehicle hauls everything we have needed to haul. The lockable trunk in the bed is great. Buy one

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  Easy Rider - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Finley - September 25 - 10:00 pm

  Shopped and compared trucks for 9 months before setteling on this truck. I wanted a truck that I could use in my surveying business and that I could use for travelling to my second home which is 500 miles one way. This is by far the most comfortable riding truck I have ever ridden in. The rear seat area allows for the transporting of expensive and sensitive survey instruments without worry. The in bed trunk keeps other field supplies handy and I dont have to unload these items everyday when I return to the office. This means that the truck bed area is almost always available for use. The safety features standard on this truck were not available on competitors models. I will buy another one.