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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  2009 Honda Ridgeline - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Larry - June 18 - 11:40 pm

  Not real quick but will tow well and is build like a brick **** house. A 17 year old plowed in the back end of my truck and you could barely tell. Her car had to be towed.

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  Second Ridgeline and an Improvement - 2010 Honda Ridgeline
  By Artback - May 31 - 2:14 pm

  Just traded up from an 06 RTL with Navi and many features have been improved. Some complain that we have not yet seen a complete redesign of the RL, yet I couldnt be happier. New Bali Blue color is the best yet. Improved gauges and touch points versus the 06. Integrated fog lights, slight horsepower gain (feels like substantially more), better software, "tweaked" transmission, bluetooth and information center. Interior design improved (toned down those metallic door handles), and carpeted floor mats versus the rubber of old. Im in the business of mechanical devices (I drive a RL to move them), and can attest that several years into a platform enhances reliability.

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  Open your mind and think about this truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By boatshop - May 11 - 12:20 am

  Im one of those who has a lot of use for a truck, but who doesnt much like the traditional pickup arrangement. Honda did an intelligent job of rethinking the pickup and came up with something that for this user, continues to make a whole lot of sense. Ive hauled a great deal with it, from wobbly old wooden boats to loads of lumber, carrying 6500 pounds at 70 mph over hundreds of miles sometimes. This truck can do the work. Meanwhile, I can keep my tools secure in the trunk, not out in an open bed. I can carry long lumber and spars on the roof rack. Its awesome on snowy, variable roads, or blasting down a dirt road at 40 mph. 87k on the first set of tires. Dont get the RT--the seats stain

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  Bought when first released - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By MAD - February 23 - 6:13 pm

  I got my Ridgeline in April of 05 when they were first released. I was driving an 04 Acura TSX and loved it, but needed more utility, and certainly got it! Love the "regular" opening rear doors, split folding rear seats, trunk, bed extender, bed lights, multi- opening tailgate, power, 4wd. Much more useful truck than my 01 Silverado with the "suicide" rear half doors and non-split folding rear seat somewhat better gas mileage. I stopped commuting a couple of years ago so havent racked up the miles like I used to, but no issues other than the [common] one below. A great car/truck/suv all rolled into one!

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  Cant wear it out - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By utmsu - January 12 - 2:35 pm

  I have had my Ridgeline since Jan. of 06 and it now has 135,000 miles on it. Have followed the recommended service of my dealership and it has never failed to do whatever I needed. Never had a more dependable truck in 40 years of driving.

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  my klunker trade - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By tiger - January 7 - 8:46 am

  Have had many Honda / Acuras this is typical high quality, surprisingly large inside, 5 foot bed is all I need, in bed trunk is amazing, great feature, it replaced an old Silverado so not quite the towing capacity, but dont need that now. GREAT in SNOW, seamless transition to 4WD, great traction with stock tires, only my 2006 Acura RL has better traction on snow and ice. Could get better gas mileage, probably will increase with age is my Honda experience.

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  No Heat - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By tom - December 25 - 12:26 pm

  the 2017 Ridgeline interior heat is poor. When you stop the interior heat drops off. Honda stated that this is a design of the vehicle and has no fix. Do not purchase for use in cold climate areas.

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  Honda El Camino - 2009 Honda Ridgeline
  By Joe - December 23 - 12:08 pm

  I have had this Car/truck for about a year and a half, drove it of off the lot new. Nicely executed interior, excellent stereo and nav. Real size seats for a change in a Japanese vehicle. All wheel drive is great when the going gets slippery. The trunk rocks. Terrible gas mileage. I get 14 in the city maybe 16 on the highway. Dealer says this is normal. When I tow 2 atvs on a 12ft trailer, I have had as low as 8mpg on the highway. This thing hates to tow. If you are planning on regularly towing anything do not get this truck. For the occasional run to the home store youre probably good.

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  Solid, but not great. - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Loyal Honda Man - December 15 - 9:54 am

  Purchased Ridgeline to be the "family car," and in that function, it has performed satisfactorily. After almost 30,000 miles, it has been perfectly reliable, and has been a solid all-around-family-vehicle. Fuel econ has been 15-16 in town, 18-20 on highways. The engine is adequate if underwhelming for normal use but simply inadequate for towing much of anything. I towed a mid-sized trailer of approx. 2,500 lbs on level ground and the engine worked very hard and with mileage of only 9-10mpg. It is, however, very functional and the interior cabin space is efficiently maximized. LOVE the in-bed trunk, built-in bed cleats, as well as the built-in lighting for the truck bed.

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  Great Car, Not a truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By dman - December 12 - 2:36 pm

  The Ridgeline handles and drives very well, although the drivers area is not as roomy as my F150 was. Honda is reliable and offers just a couple of versions, making it easy to chose come buy time. The Ridgeline in bed trunk and roomy back seat are cool, but the Tonneau cover is awkward and the payload/towing capacity are very weak. Overall, a great car, not a truck.