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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  Best Truck Ever - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By DanChip - September 2 - 12:06 am

  This is my first truck, but not my first Honda! I have had 4 CR-Vs and this is with no doubt the best vechicle I have ever owned. It has enough power, performance and with the sun roof and standard XM radio, who could ask for more, except gas mileage. I am averaging about 19 mpg, which is not bad for a truck this size. I urge any one interested to take a test drive and you will be sold!

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  Best Truck Around - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rob - August 31 - 10:13 pm

  This truck is flat out awesome! Honda built this truck rock solid with all the features of a truck and car in mind. The toughness, power, and bed of a truck with the comfort and handling of the Honda Accord. The in-bed trunk and the dual action tailgate are by far some of the coolest features this truck has to offer!

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  Honda Ridgeline Worth Looking At! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By kennex - August 23 - 1:50 am

  Well, Honda has done it the first time around. Sure, this trunk is not a Dodge Ram, but it never was meant to be. This is a crossover between your SUV and your F-150. For those of us that want all of the options of your favorite luxury car, but need space to haul stuff, this is the perfect fit! No doubt, this truck will win many awards including truck of the year because it is innovative and unique. How the frame was designed and the independent 4 wheel suspension is a first for a truck. Drive one and you will see why!!!

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  Honda Ridgeline Review - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bill - August 20 - 4:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Its fun to drive and extremely functional. The hidden trunk with sideways opening back gate makes access a breeze. Great for groceries. Only negatives are the sun visor was an after thought. Its a bit cumbersome to manuver. Gas milage is not that great either. Also there are blind spots but this is my first truck. Overall the interior is loaded with storage and the back seats fold up to allow for a ton more storage in the back. Buy the moonroof option so you receive XM Radio. I am really enjoying this new feature. I added a Billet front grill and chrome side boards. So far lots of people have made postive comments.

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  Nice Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By stogie - August 19 - 8:10 pm

  This is a nice truck. If you havent checked it out..you should. It will tow your runabout, store your stuff in the bedtrunk, and all the nooks and crannies inside to put your stuff. Four lights make looking in the bed easy after dark. Back seats fold up with one motion and fold back down with plenty of room for passengers. Exterior design is nice sets itself apart from those that want to look like a tractor for an 18 wheeler. Interior very nice and its comfortable you dont feel as though you are riding a truck hauling lumber. Magic 4 wheel drive push the button. It comes standard with features you will pay extra for on other models. Its a fun, working truck.

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  Love My Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By HC - August 19 - 12:06 pm

  We love our Ridgeline. Everything about it is practically perfect -- only exceptions are a bit of windshield noise and a bit of a blind spot on the drivers side. It handles like a dream, it fun to drive and is unusual enough to garner attention wherever we take it. The trunk is especially fine -- very handy on roadtrips. All in all, one of the best Hondas weve ever owned.

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  Hard to believe this is a truck!! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Honda - August 17 - 3:19 pm

  Once my husband and I got past the exterior we found this to be a fantastic family "car". It is another one of Hondas wonderful vehicles. Weve owned several Hondas before this and have found it to be as great as the Accords and Civics. It can boast of great usage of space and a comfortable interior. It drives better than our other truck and the 4 WD has come in handy. Five people ride comfortably with plently of luggage room. We love the "trunk" in the bed. The instruments are easy on the eyes and most everything is within easy reach, except the cruise button was a little hard to find.The tonneau cover keeps everything dry and secure. I most definitely can recommend the Ridgeline!

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  Loving my Ridgeline - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ron R - August 16 - 10:33 am

  Ive had my Ridgeline for 7 months now and put around 7500 miles on it. I traded a 2004 Acura TL on this truck due to a change in commute requiring AWD in the Winter. I never thought Id be a truck person, and to be honest the looks are not my favorite, but you cant argue with the total package. This is the safest thing out there in the Winter in terms of AWD, airbags, stability control, traction control. It did really well last year during our late Winter storms. Fuel economy got better once broke in. It went from 15 to 17 around town for me. I have a mixed commute of about 24 miles including 5 miles on a mountainous road and Im averaging around 18.5 MPG. Not bad for a truck.

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  Love This Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Doug - August 7 - 10:13 pm

  I love this truck. This is truly the Swiss Army knife of pickup trucks! The cargo capacity and storage nooks are unbelieveable. The in-bed trunk, console crannies, one handed folding rear seats, etc. Has the ride and comfort features of a luxury sedan. Amazing rear seat comfort and room, automatic comfort control with rear air. If you can only have one vehicle, yet need a pickup truck, this is the vehicle of choice, it does it all. Great size, not as big as those humungous full size pickups.

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  Car, err, Truck, err.. ?? - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Chuck - July 31 - 4:23 pm

  I have had this car 1 month and have put 1200 miles on it. This is a great car err, truck.. ?? I hesitate because it rides smooth like a car, has plenty of room inside like a car, has a trunk like a car, duel ac, heated seats, heated mirrors, electric windows, all 5!, corners, has pick up like a car. But this thing has a 5 foot bed!. This is a great ride. I love it!!