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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  Different Type of Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mark - September 4 - 11:33 am

  I traded a 2007 F150 Supercrew for this Honda, I love it. I looked at all makes and models, I have owned trucks for almost 28 years. This is not a solid rear axel truck, its not designed to be one either. What it does is handle very well, like a car, while providing the option to tow and haul. Its not perfect but it meets all my needs in what I really need a truck to do. I am glad I choose this Honda, I hope it is more reliable than other trucks I have owned in the past. For a truck like vechile this is a dream to drive, period, easy to park too. I had it a month now, so far I have found nothing I cant live with as is. I wish I had bought it sooner.

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  A Truck That Rides Like a Sedan - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By jetmail17 - September 4 - 8:53 am

  Moving from a sports car phase to a Home Depot phase, I traded in a Porsche Boxster for my 2007 RTX Ridgeline. I confirmed what many reviewers say: this thing rides like a plush sedan. Even Consumer Reports had but one gripe, "pronounced road noise," which I cant pick up anywhere. I wasnt expecting the 250 hp 3.5 litre V-6 to be racy, but a buttload of horses rear up when you prod her to merge in with the interstate stampedes. Keep in mind I had the acceleration of a Porsche before. Riding up high with front and curtain-side airbags makes me appreciate the impressive safety ratings. Roomy interior can seat 5 easy! Honda has created the perfect vehicle for metro-truckin.

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  Best Truck Ever - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By DanChip - September 2 - 12:06 am

  This is my first truck, but not my first Honda! I have had 4 CR-Vs and this is with no doubt the best vechicle I have ever owned. It has enough power, performance and with the sun roof and standard XM radio, who could ask for more, except gas mileage. I am averaging about 19 mpg, which is not bad for a truck this size. I urge any one interested to take a test drive and you will be sold!

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  Best Truck Around - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rob - August 31 - 10:13 pm

  This truck is flat out awesome! Honda built this truck rock solid with all the features of a truck and car in mind. The toughness, power, and bed of a truck with the comfort and handling of the Honda Accord. The in-bed trunk and the dual action tailgate are by far some of the coolest features this truck has to offer!

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  Ragtime - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Stephen Zimney - August 25 - 2:14 am

  On November 17, 2017 we purchased from Buerkle Honda a new 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E, VIN 5FPYK3F75JB007572 for a cash price of $42,560.00. The truck is for my wife replacing a 2007 Ridgeline that she drove. I was the one to drive it off the lot. We got to the freeway and as soon as our speed reached 45 mph, I could hear air noise from the driver’s side front window. It was as though the window was open a crack. I called the dealer and made an appointment with their warranty manager. We took the vehicle back to Buerkle on November 24, 2017. A technician test drove it. He also heard the air noise. They took the vehicle into the shop. They came and told us that they thought it was a trim on the door causing the problem. They replaced a trim panel on the driver’s side door. We drove the vehicle and it appeared that the noise was gone. We left the dealer but by the time we arrived home, the noise was back. My wife drove the vehicle back and forth to work the next week. Each day she complained about the noise. Now the air noise started at very low speeds. I purchased a sound meter and did testing. Then I called Buerkle and made another appointment with the warranty manager. I took the vehicle in on December 12, 2017. A technician test drove the vehicle and confirmed he could still hear the noise. They took the vehicle into the shop. My wife and I and our granddaughter waited in the lounge area. About two hours later, they came and asked us to go for a test drive. My wife went for a drive while I stayed with our granddaughter. Later the technician came back with my wife. He told us that the noise was inherent in the vehicle. They had gotten complaints from other customers about the noise. He let my wife drive another new Ridgeline and she could hear noise in that one also. The technician said there was nothing they could do. He said we might try writing to Honda. I guess this the new standard for Honda Engineering and workmanship. Let the customer stuff rags in the areas where there is wind noise.

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  Running the Ridge - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By KrissQ8 - August 23 - 8:35 pm

  Ridge fits / loads up in the garage next to my ladys Pilot. Many US Need a mans bed in their life- rugged hauling, tool boxes, enough room for the Fam, sedan handling / trunk, AWD for the harshest weather, light offroading, haul motorbikes in the bed, ability to tow more than 2000 pounds. Ridge features reel me in over other midsize- wasnt buying another SUV, wouldnt have traded for another car. My Prelude and old truck merged. -My cool bike rack spring loads across the bed -Getting Torza Hard Hat Premier tonno cover Non navi model stock deck doesnt play .mp3 in any way, so I keep 6 burned CDs in it. If cant make use of Ridges spec offers, would step down to Element.

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  Honda Ridgeline Worth Looking At! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By kennex - August 23 - 1:50 am

  Well, Honda has done it the first time around. Sure, this trunk is not a Dodge Ram, but it never was meant to be. This is a crossover between your SUV and your F-150. For those of us that want all of the options of your favorite luxury car, but need space to haul stuff, this is the perfect fit! No doubt, this truck will win many awards including truck of the year because it is innovative and unique. How the frame was designed and the independent 4 wheel suspension is a first for a truck. Drive one and you will see why!!!

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  Honda Ridgeline Review - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bill - August 20 - 4:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Its fun to drive and extremely functional. The hidden trunk with sideways opening back gate makes access a breeze. Great for groceries. Only negatives are the sun visor was an after thought. Its a bit cumbersome to manuver. Gas milage is not that great either. Also there are blind spots but this is my first truck. Overall the interior is loaded with storage and the back seats fold up to allow for a ton more storage in the back. Buy the moonroof option so you receive XM Radio. I am really enjoying this new feature. I added a Billet front grill and chrome side boards. So far lots of people have made postive comments.

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  Nice Truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By stogie - August 19 - 8:10 pm

  This is a nice truck. If you havent checked it out..you should. It will tow your runabout, store your stuff in the bedtrunk, and all the nooks and crannies inside to put your stuff. Four lights make looking in the bed easy after dark. Back seats fold up with one motion and fold back down with plenty of room for passengers. Exterior design is nice sets itself apart from those that want to look like a tractor for an 18 wheeler. Interior very nice and its comfortable you dont feel as though you are riding a truck hauling lumber. Magic 4 wheel drive push the button. It comes standard with features you will pay extra for on other models. Its a fun, working truck.

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  Love My Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By HC - August 19 - 12:06 pm

  We love our Ridgeline. Everything about it is practically perfect -- only exceptions are a bit of windshield noise and a bit of a blind spot on the drivers side. It handles like a dream, it fun to drive and is unusual enough to garner attention wherever we take it. The trunk is especially fine -- very handy on roadtrips. All in all, one of the best Hondas weve ever owned.