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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  Still on the fence. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Steve Thompson - July 14 - 11:20 am

  This is a well thought and engineered out product although pricey. Plenty of interior room, great styling and economy. It is so solid however the front seats are a bit too hard and uncomfortable. Even with full power adjustments Im ready to get out of it after 50 miles or so. The locking and waterproof below bed trunk is great idea. The truck does seems a little top heavy in turns. Maybe Honda could offer a Sport Package w/6-Speed and 50 series tires and wheels. The power is marginal for the engine size and torque as compared to other trucks in this class. The add-on parts for this truck are ridiculously high, such as $600 for a hitch, and $500 for running boards!! I mean come on!!

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  Love our ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Virginia - July 13 - 3:32 pm

  Comfortable roomy great storage.

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  The Perfect Compromise - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Big Dave - July 8 - 1:46 pm

  After trying different trucks, this was the one that suited my needs the best. It has the right size (not too big), comfort (leather!) and utility (a bed AND a trunk!) for my familys needs. We can tow, take it off road, haul the groceries as well as the Home Depot run and it does all that in comfort and style. Its safe, reliable and well thought out. The best thing is that it does not bounce you around like other kidney-buster 4X4s. 90% of truck owners use them to commute. The Ridgeline will get you back & forth without beating you black & blue. A success for Honda.

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  Modern Multifunction - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Randy - July 4 - 3:11 pm

  I had narrowed my purchase options down to 4 door 4 wd compact trucks; Tacoma, Colorado and Ridgeline. the first Ridgeline I was able to drive was the Black Edition. I was always leaning toward a Tacoma but I test drove the Tacoma, Colorado and Ridgeline back to back. Unfortunately the Tacoma engine- transmission gearing feels wrong, on the highway with the cruise control on the Tacoma had to downshift and was screaming to maintain 70 mph up a small hill. The Ridgeline in contrast feels smooth, refined, powerful, the engine is not screaming to maintain 70 mph up a small hill on the highway. The Colorado actually finished in second place in my new truck list, it feels smaller inside. I choose the Ridgeline; Honda reliability, gas mileage, handling & ride. I wasnt sure I was going to like the way it looked from the official photos but when I saw the BE I loved the modern new truck look. This Ridgeline combines the functionality of and takes the place of my Subaru Forester and my old 93 2wd Toyota truck. In my first 500 miles I turned the Econ mode on and got 27 mpg with the adaptive cruise control set at 70 mph. When I switched Econ off and drive normal combined city highway at speeds exceeding 75 mph I still got 24 mpg. I can live with that mpg. The interior feels large and refined, mine has lots of leather, and more technological bells and whistles than I need, Adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, push button start, Apple car-play, rear camera, blind spot warning, cross traffic monitor, lane departure warning-correction, emergency front collision avoidance braking, sunroof, power rear slider, power everything, 540 watt stereo, three zone climate control with rear vents, Led lights everyplace, multiple usb ports, and the best party trick is the truck bed audio system. The Ridgeline Black edition feels like; a luxury car, a sports car, a big suv, and a truck all rolled into one. I dont plan to go off roading I plan to take long trips, tailgate, fill the back seat with grandkids, and occasionally haul a full sheet of plywood or a load of mulch. Its early, but I love it! Update: Ive put 12,000 plus miles on my Ridgeline in the first 6 months. From Colorado to Atlantic Beach where this truck really shines is on long cross country drives. Crossing the Kansas prairie with the adaptive cruise control set on 77 I averaged 27.8 MPG. The Lane Keeper Assist technology takes some getting "used to" the first time you feel the truck gently turning the steering wheel in your hands it is a bit unsettling. However this combination of semi autonomous features is most helpful on long interstate drives. Its comforting to know the truck will not run over that car slowing in front of you and it will help you stay in your lane. This week while getting some service work done I sat in a new sport edition Ridgeline just for comparison. It confirmed my decision to buy the top of the line Black Edition. One wierd service issue came up, for about the last 6 thousand miles I have been hearing a noise that seemed to be coming from the front suspension, the first dealer that performed an oil change could not find anything wrong. After listening to this rattle and getting increasingly annoyed I took it to a second dealer and asked to demonstrate the noise for the technician. He said immediately it sounds like someone left a tool in there. 2 hours later he produced a small penlight flashlight that was found in the radiator support bracket. Since I had never seen the flashlight before and the noise started before its first service Im not sure how it got in there. But the noise is gone. I love this truck.

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  2008 RTL - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By MBB - July 4 - 2:58 am

  The Ridgeline is turning out to be a near perfect vehicle for me. Im a salesman, driving about 50K yearly, so my vehicle needs to be comfortable as well as practical. The Ridgelines innovative trunk swallows up a couple of big plastic tubs full of catalogs, plus I can still get a garment bag flat on top of the tubs and get the lid closed, so that works great! Plus, my golf clubs fit perfectly under the back seat. So, for a full week of travel, everything I need either goes in the trunk or under the back seat other than my briefcase with laptop, which I dont trust to anything other than the back seat.

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  ctp - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By ctp - July 2 - 11:36 am

  The truck performed well on the beach, the deep sand was handled easily. I have not taken any long trips, but it is comfortable around town. The general handling is good. The fuel mileage is a big letdown. I average 13.7 MPG over all. My sport trac got better mileage.

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  Want a "Truck" - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Sooners71 - July 1 - 2:48 pm

  Drives like a car and has many useful functions like trailering, hauling,and the built in ice chest. I have no issues with the driving view at all. Im 6 feet tall. The seats adjust back and forth and up and down. Theres plenty of storage and it is going to be GREAT for a newborn. It has been on the sandy beaches in Florida with no problems. It laughs at soft sand. The VTM4 works great. I had not notice any issue trailing a 18 ft Sea Ray Bowrider. This is the perfect "truck" for the urbanites. People should not be comparing the mpg versus the former Honda cars (Accord). Comparing apples to oranges. For a TRUCK, it gets above average mpg.

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  An objective owners viewpoint... - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By pbear - July 1 - 5:00 am

  From the buying experience to ownership, I have had nothing but a great experience with my Ridgeline. No trouble, no drama, except for the folks out there that are all "experts" on this truck (talk about subjective), its been a great ride. And thanks to the Ridgeline Owners Club. You folks are terrific, just like my truck!

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  Month 1 - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tucson Dave - July 1 - 1:25 am

  Just getting through the first couple of tanks of gas. The mileage is very respectable in comparison to other trucks in the same category. This is a domesticated truck with a lot of refinement that a work truck would not necessarily have. If you have an occasional need for a truck then this is your vehicle. If you are in need of heavy towing and off road capabilities this will probable not fill your needs. But be serious about how deep into the wilderness you go and you will probable come to the conclusion this truck will meet your needs 95% of the time. A great time to buy with incentives, fear of gas prices and oversupply that probable will not exist next year.

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  Best of both for me - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Terri - June 27 - 9:33 pm

  This truck is GREAT, not a HEAVY duty truck, but very comfortable for everyday and for trips too, with the cabability to run to Home depot or Lowes, take the grandkids camping / fishing and seats 5 adults very comfy, I love the height of the seats so you are not climbing in and out of the truck you just swing your legs around and you are standing. the bed trunk is GREAT for storage and is large. Nav works very well along with the sound system, rides smooth and pretty quite, the adjustable console is really nice esp in town driving. I am very pleased with my purchase