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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  The Truck you need, if not the one you want. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kaleb G - March 30 - 9:29 pm

  I liked the looks of the Tacoma and Colorado quite a bit more than the Ridgeline but after test driving all three, there was no doubt in my mind which one I would buy. If not the comfort, then the tech, if not the tech, then the active safety equipment. I absolutely love the fold up rear seats and the trunk bed, well worth the slightly higher bed height

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  Small improvements would make it perfect - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jimmy - March 27 - 9:43 pm

  A truck that drives like a luxury sedan. Handles most jobs with ease. Build quality is top notch. I only wish there was a collapsible bulkhead like the Chevy Avalanche.

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  If you dont need to tow a house... - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By truckin - March 26 - 3:44 pm

  Great truck! Rides like a luxury sedan and handles like one too. Honda build quality is excellent. Ive owned only domestic trucks since I learned to drive and this one tops them all. It doesnt have the payload or towing of the others, but like me, not many need to be able to tow a house. Gas mileage is pretty good for a 4wd truck (19 mpg combined - not broken in yet). Innovative features are great (in bed trunk, composite bed). To complete the package, the safety features are top notch. Six air bags, stability control, traction control, ABS - what more could you ask for? Only complaint is that it is a little goofy looking, but when your behind the wheel, you forget all about that.

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  Cajun Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By bcp1 - March 25 - 9:33 pm

  Was ready to purchase an SUV, saw Ridgeline in early March. Went to 4 different cities, 6 dealers and walked away with an exceptional deal. This is my first truck. The quality and the ride are fantastic. I am very impressed with all the safety features that come standard. My wife loves it completely. I am hoping for better gas mileage as I go. In town is 15.8 and highway is 18.9 so far. Have 1300 miles since 4/27/05 All my friends, family and neighbors are really impressed with the truck.

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  Comfortable and Intuitive - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Diver Down - March 21 - 8:11 pm

  Hondas initial shot at producing a truck was a huge success. The trucks in bed trunk is huge and the dual action tailgate is extremely helpful. Although the exterior of the vehicle is quite conservative, its functionality makes it a step above domestic and foreign rivals. The interior is quite comfortable and did a fairly good job at dampening road noise. The back seat is very big...plenty of room for three adults and when the seats are lifted, reveals another huge cargo area. The power rear window is great at getting fresh air in the cabin without getting wind turbulence. I was very impressed with the quality of the 160 watt sound system.

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  06 RTL Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By new honda owner - March 17 - 6:58 pm

  amazing, versatile, comfortable, great through snow, watch out American midsize trucks, hondas coming! Im a woman owner of this truck have driven many and been a passenger in many and this is a great truck. Use to own chevys, sorry not anymore! Ford, junk uncomfortable and unreliable.

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  What Subaru? - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dennis Carlson - March 16 - 6:13 am

  I traded my 04 Subaru Forester XT for the Ridgeline. My wife asked me if I regretted that decision and I responded with "what Subaru?". The Ridgeline rides and handles like a sedan but has the utility of a AWD pickup. The interior is luxurious, spacious, and has numerous nooks and crannies for storage. After driving it for 5000 miles I couldnt imagine life without it.

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  Nice Entry - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Josh - March 15 - 10:01 pm

  Great truck for a first stab at a new market. This truck has amazed me far beyond my imagination. I have hauled everything from a bed load of concrete to my sons nursery full of furniture. It handled beautifully. By far the best mid size truck on the road. More room inside than nissan and toyota. Im still amazed at the payload capacity of the RL even without a solid rear axle. 11000 miles, two oil changes and not a single problem to report. I love all the cool features that you cant get with other trucks...Honda seems to think of everything.

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  Ridgeline Affair - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Craig Banner - March 9 - 12:13 pm

  I love this truck! This review covers a 2017 and 2018 Honda Ridgeline. I had the 2017 for 8 weeks before it was totaled when I hit a full size horse at 0530 in the morning. After escaping its fenced pasture, it was running directly at me and in the dark I didnt see it until it was 20 from me. The horse died and the truck was totaled but I was not hurt. Had seat belt on and airbags did not go off since horse was above bumper area and crushed hood, windshield and roof. A month later I purchased my new, identical 2018 Ridgeline. It drives real smooth, even my wife likes the ride, with good acceleration and so far, 23 mpg. Only have 1500 miles on this one. Love the in-bed trunk and 2-way tailgate. No complaints so far. Was able to negotiate $3600 below MSRP.

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  Good Stuff - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By A. Warren - March 4 - 10:13 am

  Ive had my truck for about a year and a half and its done accomplished everything Ive needed it to accomplish. I can (pretty much) keep up with my dads Mini on the corners, which is pretty decent for a truck. Its got room for 5 actual adults to ride in, which is great. An air-intake and cat-back system do wonders for the trucks perceived masculinity factor, not to mention kinda poky high-end. It sometimes gets stuck in a gear just after highway merging, but you just have to kick it into neutral and back again quickly. The trunk does a great job of storing odds and ends that would otherwise cluttering the cabin. Great stock sound system.