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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  A Wonderful Choice of Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By marksez - November 21 - 4:47 pm

  I sold my 2004 Canyon and leased my 2007 Ridgeline on 1/1/07, and it was an excellent choice. It was quite a step up from the GMC. It has virtually every possible option someone could want on a truck and rides and works just like you’d expect a Honda to do. We are an all Honda family, a total of 5, and they are all trouble free vehicles. The truck did have a minor transmission fluid leak, which required a major (warranty covered) correction. Admittedly, that left me a little concerned about buying it at the end of the lease. I have to say, that other than wishing it got better gas mileage (17 city and 21 highway is not bad for an all wheel drive truck), it’s a wonderful truck.

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  Eight days and 2,100 miles - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ned Flanders - November 5 - 11:26 pm

  I enjoy driving this truck. Where I live I have to deal with severe weather and roads and the Ridgeline has performed extremely well. I also need a truck almost every weekend and I need to car pool with adults so this truck meets my needs and did I say this truck is FUN to drive?

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  Great Purchase - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By happyhondaowner - November 5 - 10:24 pm

  I have enjoyed this vehicle overall and recommend it. No, it is not overly powerful, but it does have enough power to do what I need it to. No, it is not overly roomy, but it does have a lot of functional space when configured that way. No, it is not a looker, but there are worse. You WILL be able to fit it in a garage, move moderate sized trailers easily at 55-60 mph. You will also get about an average of 16 miles/gal overall. I have gotten up to 23 (once) and as low as 12 (many times) in the winter. You can fit 5 smaller people comfortably. Not if they are over 200 lbs and 6 ft tall. It is a truck that is not great at anything but good at everything.

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  murrays truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By murray - November 5 - 8:23 am

  The ridgeline is a comfortable and capable truck that is meant for the consumer that hauls small payloads and requires a useful automobile for everyday life. The ridgeline is not just a work truck but a great family vehicle.

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  Ridgeline fan? - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By KARUSA - October 30 - 4:21 pm

  Doesnt fit long legs, short arms well. Honda famous "fit and finish" is lacking. Very underpowered at 245hp and 4500 lbs. Fuel economy in town only 14 not 17 advertised. Hondas implementation of 4WD is not. You can not control it and it works only marginally light offroad and in wet heavy snow on road. The in bed storage is a large plus. Overall, Id buy something else if I had it to do over, I want a better hp/weight ratio which would also help fuel mileage. Its underpowered, had nagging minor issues with trim misfits, vanity lights needed repair -- choose differently folks.

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  Gold Wing of midsize pickups - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By wyowilly - October 27 - 10:26 am

  After owning a 91 Ranger since 91, the 2006 "Ridge" is about everything I needed and wanted in a replacement. I have the RTL for the leather - and didnt want the extras of moon roof and nav. So far, Ive driven 975 miles since purchase and experience with 4 adults on a 200+ mile trip. Not one - all seniors - was unhappy with either front or rear seats. Conversation at normal levels while cruising @ 75mph - a quiet ride. Learning curve is steeper than other new vehicles Ive owned since 1959. Avg mpg after 2 fills is 18.2+ mpg. A little sensitive to Wyoming winds - not nearly as bad as 05 Tacoma doublecab. Power & brakes both feel good. It is a excellent luxury vehicle with lot of work potential.

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  06 Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Steven Boyd - October 3 - 7:57 am

  Of 27 vehicles owned in my life, the Ridgeline is the best overall vehicle. Quiet, squeak free and totally reliable machine. Needs a slightly longer trunk. Great work Honda. The new 2010 is on order!

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  The ultimate everything vehicle - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Engineer - October 1 - 8:13 pm

  I drive 200 miles round trip a day mostly highway on cruise. My mileage was low until I put about 15,000 on the truck but now regularly get 22MPG cruising at 70 with my high being 23.9. I have found that the power is quite good but the VSA system intrudes too much leaving most folks with the impression it doesnt have low end power. If you switch the button off the truck will launch hard indicating Honda should rethink the programming. My biggest beefs are lack of a telescoping wheel that allows one to rest your elbows on the door and console pad without feeling like youre reaching. Seat comfort is misleading way too hard. I will be the first in line for a new dturbo diesel.

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  Good but not great - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By FLIPSIX - September 7 - 11:29 pm

  Great AWD truck. Styling is great. Friendly driver controls. Good power considering the weight. Problems included the tailgate lever which was replaced. Makes this start up noise- "normal" per dealership. Huh??? Showed me a youtube excerpt about. Supposedly wont cause any problems, uhuh...Storage is great especially the hidden bed trunk. Poor gas mileage 15- 17mpg city 18mpg combined and thats pushing it.

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  Gas Mileage Poor - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Charles - September 2 - 3:34 pm

  I have enjoyed driving my 2007 Honda Ridgeline truck, however, it has come to lease end and I will be turning it in for a new 2009 Acura TL w/Tech Pkg. I have nothing but praise for the Ridgeline. It did have an electrical problem (computer chip and electronic board fried) within a month after my purchase. Also, the handles above the right and left rear passenger doors came loose and was about to fall off. Weird since I dont ever have passengers back there. The service department said that it probably was threaded wrong at the factory. Also, the back lighting on the heated seat HI/LO button (drivers side) kept burning out prematurely.