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 my Ridgeline! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jaxon - January 3 - 10:12 am

  This is one of the most comfortable and responsive trucks Ive ever driven. Its so nice to drive that I often find myself taking the "long way" home in order to enjoy it just a little bit longer. Zimbricks customer service is above comparison, too, and that certainly is a bonus.

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  Great mileage - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jon Kloosterhouse - January 2 - 8:50 pm

  The hwy mileage has been as high as 31 mpg. Mostly at 27 to 29 mpg hwy. Combined mileage 23 to 27. Way better than my 2006 and 2012 Ridgeline. I just wish all the RTL models had the sliding rear window. This model was a great value at $37000. March 2017. Update. Just took a 5600 mile road trip south and west to Arizona. Average mileage was 26 mpg. Many speed limits were 80 mph. Great truck. Mileage on vehicle now 14000.

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  Perfecy Pick Up - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ron - January 1 - 12:00 pm

  I have has the Ridgeline 18 months, perfect pick up. I even towed another car 1400 miles, ample horse power. Still have not seen a better performance truck. Front wheel drive/AWD is the smartest feature, awesome in the snow. Average 18-19 mpg.

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  Its a Honda! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Gordon - December 30 - 8:28 pm

  A very untruck-like truck for folks like me who did not want a truck. More useful than a SUV or a automobile. Probably one the safest vehicles on the road. Rides & handles like a luxury car. Legendary Honda reliability and build quality. An awesome vehicle!

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  My first Honda Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Carr - December 25 - 11:08 am

  Without a doubt my Ridgeline was the best truck I could find. I had owed six Preludes and one Passport but I love my Ridgeline too. Youll want one of these...

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  About perfect - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Matthew - December 25 - 11:05 am

  Unless you intend to off-road, the Ridgeline is pretty much perfect. The ride is smooth, quiet, and refined. The engine wont kill you with acceleration, but its better than adequate. Inside materials and design are amazing. Safety features abound. Perfect for long road trips, daily commuting, and everything in between. Gas mileage is better than expected-- 18 in mixed city/freeway, up to 22 or 23 on road trips. Only complaint is that the exterior is very susceptible to dings-- the paint/body hardware could probably use some reinforcement. People who review this automobile poorly probably have never been in one.

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  Overall good midsized truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Nash58 - December 25 - 12:49 am

  So far the Ridgeline has been a joy to drive and work out of. I am a contractor and my 5 x 8 trailer loaded with tools and material is no problem for this truck to haul. It has power to spare. I live in a part of the country that gets its share of snow and the trucks smart AWD system has no problems negotiating unplowed roads. The jury is still out as far as fuel mileage is concerned. With out the trailer, Im lucky to get 15 - 16 mpg in town, but that is a far cry better than the 8 mpg I was getting with my full sized Dodge Ram.

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  Ridgeline vs. Sport Trac - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Scott - December 24 - 11:42 am

  After debating between the 2007 Ridgeline and the 2007 Ford Sport Trac, I went with the Ridgeline and am glad that I did. The Ridgeline is a wonderful, tough truck and drives like a dream. I am not a truck person per se but need an open truck bed for Home Depot runs and hauling two large dogs around town and this truck fills that need and more. The in-bed trunk is the best as it is located at the tail gate, the Sport Tracs large in- bed trunk is located behind the rear window so you would have to get up into the bed just to put something in the trunk. For the first 1,500 miles, I have been averaging 18 mpg in the City. Not bad for truck this size. The V6 engine offers plenty of power.

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  Looked for a Year... - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By mbertaut - December 21 - 11:49 am

  If you, like me, own two gas cans, three propane bottles, and a Great Dane, BUT have to commute 40 miles a day to work and back, you want both truck and very well-built car too. Ridgeline is both, and does both very well. Last Honda I had went 200k miles over 13 years with no issues, so how could I not go Honda again? Love the truck, rides very smooth, extremely safe in bad weather, computers are smarter than I am and keep me out of trouble. Only drawback is gas mileage, Im getting 17 city, no highway test yet.

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  Bogus Ratings - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dennis Vidal - December 19 - 1:10 am

  I am a genuine Ridgeline owner, and not one fabricating stories to sell a different brand or discredit Honda.This truck is not perfect but serves my needs very very well. My landscaping business and the tools that come with job can be hauled by my truck as if their is nothing at the back and surefooted in snow. The many awards this truck garnered is a testament to its merits. Anyone accusing Honda of bribing the award giving bodies is hogwash. I mean you can bribe one or two award giving bodies but close to 12 award giving bodies unanimous in praising the Ridgeline meant one thing, those awards arent bought and much deserved. Kudos to Honda for reinventing the truck.