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 on the Market! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Fredrick Barber - May 5 - 11:50 pm

  I can only say that I am a 33 year old man that swore that he would not buy a non-american truck. Honda changed that after I personally drove every truck on the market I could except the Ridgeline. I have been stationed in Iraq so I never knew that Honda started building trucks. I had my mind made up to purchase a BMW X5 until my brother told me about the Ridgeline. I could not believe how much "truck", "SUV" and "High" end car Honda stuffed into one vehicle. It takes ten minutes to name all of the features. It is clearly the best truck on the market for the money...even if it cost more.

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  Woeful gas mileage, fun to drive - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By albert - May 5 - 2:46 pm

  Bought a Ridgeline RT June06 and very satisfied with the features and driving experience. But the gas mileage is awful. Drove to vegas back and forth for 300 miles and got just over 18 miles/gal. In our area where there are lots of driving up and down the hills - 12 miles/gal. I may have to install a bed cover, hopefully it can minimize drag and saves fuel.

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  "My Beautiful Truck" now 1 year old - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Nick - April 30 - 11:28 pm

  Very comfortable & appropriately sized truck. Very useful for my urban driving & use. Good Visibility. Appreciate the simple & well thought exterior details. Driving on all roads is stable & firm. Direct vehicle response from steering input. Good road feel. No mechanical problems. Very quiet motor almost whisper quiet. low wind & engine noise at high speed. Brisk engine response when you need to move quickly, & then you realize how fast you are moving! V6 is appropriate. Moved the truck nicely through hills & motoring through long high speed turns was comfortable & inspired confidence. 42 fill-ups later, avg 17.2 mpg overall. Purchased through broker & saved $K. Very happy!!

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  Best truck Ive owned - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By 2008 Honda - April 30 - 7:25 pm

  Ive had this truck for 3 months and I can honestly say this is the best truck Ive owned!! Ive mostly had Ford trucks and I can tell you the ride and quality is great. I owned a F-150 for 4 months prior to the Ridgeline and I wish I hadnt. Im about as "American Pie" as they come but if only the big American Truck companies put a better product, I would have one. Especially, w/gas prices and economy!

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  Ridgleline has Some Neat Surprises - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By galvang - April 30 - 1:36 pm

  Just bought the RL with Navi and XM sat. radio. The build quality has been excellent honda style. Pretty smooth riding vehicle up to about 80MPH beyond that it gets a little less smooth. The Navi system is incredible with the touchscreen and voice activation for all of the major cabin controll systems. The XM sat. radio is also excellent especially traveling in the rural areas. Overall comfort is quite good with supportive leather seating. Overall, Im pretty impressed with the vehicle so far.

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  No Regrets, Great Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Paul - April 25 - 10:22 pm

  After driving minivans for the past ten years I decided to move up to a truck. Although not a truck guy in the traditional sense, I wanted the utility of a bed for those weekend beach runs and a comfortable rear seat for my three kids. I got both in the Ridgeline. Plus its smooth, quiet and fun.

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  Love my Ridgeline - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Cliff - April 24 - 8:15 pm

  Never happier with an auto purchase. Love the truck. Able to take a family of 4 on an 10 hour holiday trip with gifts and luggage. With car top carrier we had the same amount of gear that I would fit into an Odyssey.

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  Honda Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By rbuccino - April 24 - 5:10 am

  I was not thrilled about the fact that I needed a truck. Trucks are bulky underpowered gas-guzzlers - arent they? Not the Ridgeline! This "truck" handles more like a sportscar than a truck. The ride is extremely comfortable. The in-bed trunk is a must have! The rear seat is very comfortable and folds-up for additional storage. The AWD rocks! Great job Honda!

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  2008 Honda Ridgeline RTL with NAV - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By larry - April 15 - 9:50 am

  You have to drive this truck to truly appreciate it. Its economical for a truck with all wheel drive yet feels more sturdy and rugged than other crew cabs such as the Colorado and Frontier. The leather seats are very comfortable with adjustable lumbar. Sticker was 36,002, invoice was 32,401 and I got mine for 28,285. That did not even count the 7,000 trade in I got. Im moving to Oregon next month so well see how it does in the snow. They are great trucks and now at unbeatable prices.

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  RTL Vs Tacoma - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jack Lewis - April 14 - 10:51 pm

  Only had my RTL for about a week, but it was a good choice. I drove a 2004 Tacoma, 4 door, Pre-runner, V6 (3.4)2 wheel drive. I read from some that the RTL has a large turning radius. Every try to turn a Taco around on a regular street? Can you say 3 pointer!! The Taco was a great truck, reliable, rock solid, but it no creature comforts standard. Manual seats, absolutely no storage in the cab, cramped rear seats, a crappy ride and over all cramped feeling, wimpy A/C and expensive to maintain. The Taco also got 17 MPG, uphill, downhill, city and hi-way! The Ridgeline beats the Taco in all areas, hand down. Plus its cheaper from the get-go. Honda got it right! Ford/GM not even close!