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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  My ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By KNOX TN - June 22 - 1:40 pm

  I had a hard time getting use to the front grille. It grows on you after a while. I love the truck overall except it is not getting the 16 mpg on the window, closer to 15 mpg or a little less.

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  Best Truck Ive Ever Driven - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By SH - June 22 - 1:10 pm

  Awesome drive. Quiet, roomy, comfortable, best navi on the market. An MDX with a bed and a trunk.

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  Best everyday truck ever - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom - June 21 - 12:17 am

  This truck does exactly what I need - it carries in the bed stuff I would never want inside a car or SUV but doesnt suffer all the negatives a regular truck would (bad gas mileage, bad ride, etc.) It has plenty of power for everyday driving, as long as youre not trying to race. As for the complaints about gas mileage, if you drive the way you should to conserve gas, youll get what I get, which is 19-20 mpg every tank, and that is using the AC at all times, driving a mix of highway and surface roads. No one complains about the V6 4x4 Crew Cab Nissan Frontier getting 17 mpg, so why the complaints here?

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  Urban Living with a RidgeLine - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By SB Ridge - June 20 - 10:54 am

  I own a 2006 RT, I went with the basics as XM, leather and Nav have no place with me. So far I have really enjoyed my truck, it has done all that I asked with out complaint. I have moved heavy objects like wood flooring, bulky objects like shrubs and basic stuff like family vacations. My Ridgeline as proven itself worthy of Vermont winters and the AWD has been up to any urban task I have put before it. My Ridgeline is an urban rig, I do not tow at this moment and I am not an off road driver. My only addition to my Ridgeline was a BakFlip cover to add additional storage options and keep the winter snow out of the bed. This is a truck for people who are tired of the SUV but dont ne

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  2006 Honda Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By ccobb - June 12 - 1:03 am

  Having had minivans in the past, I have found that it holds three big people in the back seat with room to spare. I love the way it looks. It handles wonderful and is great for moving teenagers out of the house. I did get 23 mpg on the highway with it totally full.

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  Owned for over one year - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By 19ridgeline42 - June 1 - 2:28 pm

  Most reviews are written by new owners. Have had it for one year, longest trip 2000 miles. Very comfortable. Love the truck. Best recommendation I can give is "I would buy another". Gas mileage as expected. Ride excellent. Presently have in excess of 20000 miles. Lots of storage space. Meets my every expectation.

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  Ridgeline is everything I expected! - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robert - May 30 - 4:10 pm

  I have owned 4 Honda cars, this is my first foreign truck. I feel for the kind light truck work that I do the Ridgeline seems fine. I get 17 MPG around town and 22 MPG the highway. I currently have 2300 miles on it with no problems. I have talked to other Ridgeline owners that get 24 MPG highway miles. They mentioned that the mileage improves after 10,000 miles.

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  My 3rd Honda - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By No General Mtrs 4 Me - May 27 - 7:30 am

  I also looked at the Toyota Tundra/Tacoma but of course found the Honda a better bargain. The Ridgeline fit all my needs plus its not too big so the wife uses it to :( I have seen a lot of complaints about the door locks... READ THE MANUAL! It can be changed. The fit and finish is typical Honda. It rides better than the Accord we own. Its a truck, expect low MPG.

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  06 Ridgeline RTL - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By ridge rtl - May 22 - 7:05 pm

  With 22,000 miles behind us, Im still quite pleased with my Ridgeline. Something I had not appreciated much as a feature when I purchased my Ridgeline was the swing out tailgate. On several occasions, it has made loading bags of stone, concrete and other landscaping materials so much easier and another is of course the locking in-bed trunk.

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  Impressed - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Blue - May 21 - 3:06 pm

  I just bought the ridgeline RTL with Moonroof. First Impression, impressed. To me it is the best blend of sedan, suv and truck. I submit that if you have to buy only one vehicle for all applications, this would be the one.You can take this one vacation, tow a 5000 load, go skiing, go pick up the 4x8 at home depot . The only limitation is carry more than 5 people.