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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  Better than hoped for. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Whit - April 17 - 7:06 am

  We take two fishing trips to Canada each summer.18 foot boat loaded with gear.Back seat full, bed full including 4cu ft freezer. Drives great, only notice load braking and uphill.

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  Drives Like A Car Works Like a Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By CB - April 15 - 4:06 pm

  Ive had my Ridgeline for almost a year and it has been my favorite vehicle so far. It is fun to drive and handles more like a car. It has been very steady on snow and ice. When driving across country, I felt relaxed and comfortable all day long. I wish the gas mileage was better for this V6, yet overall I am very satisfied.

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  Just OK - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Andy - April 11 - 9:27 pm

  A good truck to drive. Plenty of power when not pulling a load or loaded down. Mileage less than advertised. When pulling a lite trailer mileage at 65 mph dropped to 9 miles per gallon on a level road. Terrible wind noise. Has Honda heard of a wind tunnel? Temperature control/air flow instrument is ridiculous. forget trying to read it if you are farsighted. They are all clustered in a small poorly backlit gauge. Need reading glasses to see tiny icons. Same goes for for small compass in mirror. Need glasses to see direction.Lots of storage but layout is poor. Better if it had a single fold-down console. Thinking of trading it in for a Frontier.

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  07 Ridgeline - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By JEFF - April 11 - 11:55 am

  Excellent ride, solid quality feel. Great engine, intake, and exhaust sound. Throaty V-8 sound. Fuel mileage is on the low side, but dealer says it will improve around 10,000 miles.

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  No way 21 mpg! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By john - April 11 - 4:37 am

  I average 15mpg with my 2006 Ridgeline. The service writer told me the best to expect is 18mpg. Low power and poor mpg. Cramped interior. I bought because of the truck of the year hype.

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  Love It - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By john - April 10 - 12:05 am

  We love every thing about it. It rides and handles like a top of the line car. We have had camper tops on our last two trucks, but we do not miss them. With the trunk and fold up seat we have plenty of room to move and stash everything we wanted to transport so far. We love the console storage. No one can see what is in there. The gas mileage is the only thing I am not happy with. 16-17 in city and 19 highway is the best I have got.

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  Honda Ridgeline...just what I needed! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Gonzo1124 - April 6 - 3:06 am

  I have been a Honda buyer since the 1980s. Always wanted a truck, but was not satisfied with the ride of many. I also didnt need to haul heavy stuff, or to cross creeks and fly over stumps. I wanted a more civilized truck. Here it is and I am really enjoying it.

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  The Truck you need, if not the one you want. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kaleb G - March 30 - 9:29 pm

  I liked the looks of the Tacoma and Colorado quite a bit more than the Ridgeline but after test driving all three, there was no doubt in my mind which one I would buy. If not the comfort, then the tech, if not the tech, then the active safety equipment. I absolutely love the fold up rear seats and the trunk bed, well worth the slightly higher bed height

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  Small improvements would make it perfect - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jimmy - March 27 - 9:43 pm

  A truck that drives like a luxury sedan. Handles most jobs with ease. Build quality is top notch. I only wish there was a collapsible bulkhead like the Chevy Avalanche.

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  If you dont need to tow a house... - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By truckin - March 26 - 3:44 pm

  Great truck! Rides like a luxury sedan and handles like one too. Honda build quality is excellent. Ive owned only domestic trucks since I learned to drive and this one tops them all. It doesnt have the payload or towing of the others, but like me, not many need to be able to tow a house. Gas mileage is pretty good for a 4wd truck (19 mpg combined - not broken in yet). Innovative features are great (in bed trunk, composite bed). To complete the package, the safety features are top notch. Six air bags, stability control, traction control, ABS - what more could you ask for? Only complaint is that it is a little goofy looking, but when your behind the wheel, you forget all about that.