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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  Love it - despite the gas mileage - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Scott King - June 3 - 6:32 pm

  Recently purchased a 2008 Ridgeline and love it. We actually were looking at replacing our 2005 CR-V with a new one, but discovered we could get the Ridgeline at a much cheaper lease rate. After considering the gas mileage, we went for it and dont regret it. This truck is fantastic, great ride, excellent interior design and the trunk below the box is wonderful. We have used it to haul items from Lowes and bring other things to the dump and forgot how nice it was to have a truck. If you are not commuting long distances to work and want a nice work truck with style, this is for you.

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  New Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By JPKANT - June 3 - 7:12 am

  Have had the truck about a week and loving it! Very comfortable ride compared to others with excellent visibility, features and handling. Bought it to use for travel and pulling a lightweight travel trailer. First tank getting us around 26 mpg with mostly highway (secondary) roads. Amazing!

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  A great truck for those who dont need one daily. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ken R. - June 1 - 12:28 am

  The redesigned 2017 Honda Ridgeline is a significant improvement over the previous design. I previously owned a 2006 and 2011 Ridgeline, but left Honda three years ago to another brand (GMC) due in large part to the prior outdated design, old technology (really, no USB port?), etc. The new Ridgeline has fixed the problems of the past with much improved technology, better sound system, modern design, quiet ride and comfortable handling. The safety features (RTL-E) are impressive, perhaps redundant (Lane Keeping Assist vs. Road Departure Mitigation systems). Very pleased with combined city/highway milage (23-24), the ability to put the engine in ECO setting to shut down 2 cylinders when cruising is useful on long trips. Some new things are gimmicky (A/C outlet for tailgating tv and bed sound system) but overall it has received many looks and compliments, decent towing and AWD for our rural location.

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  Towing - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By lucas - May 24 - 11:51 am

  Bought my truck specifically for a cross-country relocation. Refused to let me down going through the mountains in Colorado. Stayed strong towing a 5x8 trailer (@11-14 mpg!) average almost 18 mpg city/highway combined, which is pretty good for a pick-up truck.

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  Not another cheap copy - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By irongod21 - May 22 - 3:03 pm

  I love love love my ridge. A solid frame and body construction can you say stronger than yours the avalanche doesnt compare Ive driven both and that Honda is the better Ive only got 300 mi on mine and Im getting 14.7 mpg in town that beats out most trucks after the break in period I love the exterior looks and it is extremely comfortable I bought the bottom of the line to save $$$ how many trucks out there have all the engineering and safety features on the bottom trim level that they have on the top Honda

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  Finally got my Honda truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Michelle - May 20 - 7:09 am

  My husband and I always said, "If Honda would just make a truck." Up until now, we had another make and no reason to get a new one. However, with the great deals around, we just had to trade in the 3 year old Tacoma. We use our truck basically to take trash to the dump and, occasionally, to get building supplies. We were pleased with the comfort and great ride in the Base RT model, and, since its not our regular car, decided to get it. I LOVE THIS TRUCK...best we have ever owned. As a Honda/Acura loyal family, we finally got the truck we wanted, too!

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  I love it!! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By newlife08 - May 19 - 11:07 pm

  In 1992 I drove a brand new GMC straight off the lot, 1st new truck ever bought, ended up with 273,588 miles when I sold it, clean as a whistle, best truck I ever bought. Did a lot of home work and decided to buy the Ridegline, best decision I ever made. I love it, parallel parks like a dream, will tow everything I need as I plan to a small trailer for my dog & I to hit the road feeling very safe and secure in the fact that what could be better than a Honda?? I havent even got a oil change yet! Plus its SO SASSY! The dealer was great service was stellar and I Love IT, better than ever.

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  SUV with awesome cargo ability - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By farnorth - May 19 - 4:56 am

  Used for long (7 hour) commute with tools and gear. The head rest is kind of a pain in the neck, but everything else excels for this class. Full size rear passengers prefer my truck over the Dodge ram 4 door. Visibility is great, and most importantly, the rough northern roads I drive on can not kick the rear end out on corners and ruts, even when driving on packed snow. Around town I have used it to haul .5 yard of gravel, also filled the box with bedding sand. It handled better than my Silverado did with the same weight... but I did have to spend some time washing sand out of the trunk lid seams and double operating tailgate. Keeping it around 55 to 60 miles per hour gave me avrg. 18 mpg

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  Best truck ever - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By tj - May 9 - 8:03 pm

  Honda got it right with the Ridgeline. For 95% of Americans, a truck is something handy to have - not something necessary - and the focus should be on comfort rather than rugged off-roading ability. Honda knew this already and designed the Ridgeline around the driver and passengers rather than the load. For me, and most people who drive trucks, the bed is there to help me haul relatively big items, but not chunks of steel, engines, bricks, etc. The Ridgeline is the most comfortable, thoughtfully-created truck youll ever drive in. So why many truck die-hards may balk at its lack of body-on-frame construction and solid rear axle, Im enjoying a the quietest, smoothest riding truck ever.

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  nothing not to like - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By j.mayerhauser - May 7 - 9:36 am

  The perfect vehicle when you dont need another sedan. It travels comfortably and nothing is handier than using the open bed to haul "stuff". The lockable, weather proof trunk in the bed is ingenious.