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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  Glad I waited - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By TMAN - December 10 - 12:00 am

  Was looking at the new Tacoma, but I am glad I waited. The Ridgeline is much nicer. The ride is great and has some terrific options. My wife loves it and she didnt really want a truck.

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  SUV + Truck = Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By jeantrot - December 9 - 11:46 am

  Great comfort and options at a reasonable price. The quality of the features more than justify the slightly higher price than other midsize trucks (Frontier and Tacoma) The Ridgeline is actually cheaper than a similar equipped Dakota except that you cant get the big V8 power. Its a cross between the SUV that my wife wanted and the truck I wanted. At first glance the styling is strange but it grows on you very quickly - if you like the look of the Avalanche you will love the look of the Ridgeline.

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  fun wheels - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By cheryl hayes - December 4 - 10:16 pm

  i have driven fords, chevs, dodge. my honda is the best truck i have ever driven. it pulls a trailor whit a honda 4 wheeler on it just like it was not even there.have had it to florida in sept for 4 days. coming back i drove 15 hours straight, and was not even tired. going back to tampa dec.25 to be with rest of family. i love my truck. honda keep up the good work

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  Ridgeline - the truck for the rest of us - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Stew - December 3 - 3:16 pm

  Im not a construction contractor and will never carry 2000 lbs of gravel in the back of a truck. I just need a truck to get to work, carry camping gear, bikes, dogs and kayaks, and get me through snow and mud. I dont WANT a truck, just an SUV that will let me haul big stuff occasionally and tow my camper. The Ridgeline will do all that for me in perfect comfort, without feeling like Im driving a big, ponderous truck. Plus I get better gas mileage than a V8. My wife loves the electric seat controls, particularly that she can raise the seat up to make it easier to look out the back window to back up. I love that I can push the seat back far enough to stretch out.

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  Happy buyer - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By rswanby - December 2 - 9:13 am

  The trunk on the ridgeline is the best idea for a pickup. Larger bed would have helped. Made to drive on long trips in comfort. Backseat fold up gives more room for backseat storage. Good service at Atlantic Honda, keeps me informed of needed maintenance.

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  Excellent all around. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By hofffam - December 1 - 7:20 am

  Bought in Oct. 2005 and have 15,000+ miles now. Bought it because of its handling, ride, interior room, and THE TRUNK. It drives like a taller, firm- riding sport sedan. Great room inside and super-practical. Wish I could get 20 MPG. Oh well - cant have everything. The RL is very close though.

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  2006 ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By rj44 - November 28 - 6:45 am

  I had the truck 6 mos I love it. However do not buy the honda tonneau cover look at the aftermarkets. Otherwise it has plenty of power compared to my blazer. I take it off road in mud and snow and it had no problems.

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  Excellent Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bill - November 25 - 7:08 pm

  This is by far the best car/truck I have ever owned. The build quality is great, the interior is top-notch, the truck drives on the highway like a luxury car. Gas mileage is OK, but not great. I have towed a large trailer 1100 miles, no problems. There is not a comparable vehicle out there.

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  Honda Ridgeline is as good as it gets! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By I bought one! - November 19 - 1:22 am

  The best competition to the Honda Ridgeline is the Toyota Tundra. The Tundra is great, but I selected the Ridgeline because it has a shorter length and thus easier to park, has the all important better safety ratings (5 star vs. 4 star) for driver and roll overs (4 star vs. 3 star), has better mpg, has a locking waterproof trunk, gives a more comfortable ride, and is a welcome departure to the boring look of the age old pickup truck. While the Tundra offers shorter braking distance, 500 lbs. increased weight, a super quasi Lexus designed V-8 engine, is reportedly stronger off road, and tows about 1,600 more lbs., on balance the Ridgeline is the best choice - it is "as good as it gets!

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  Happy Honda Owner - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By mic161 - November 12 - 9:19 pm

  tows two motorcycles on back w\21ft boat in-tow, worked for honda motorcycles, 25 years. and they build their vehicles as their motorcycles good QC