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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  Overall good midsized truck - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Nash58 - December 25 - 12:49 am

  So far the Ridgeline has been a joy to drive and work out of. I am a contractor and my 5 x 8 trailer loaded with tools and material is no problem for this truck to haul. It has power to spare. I live in a part of the country that gets its share of snow and the trucks smart AWD system has no problems negotiating unplowed roads. The jury is still out as far as fuel mileage is concerned. With out the trailer, Im lucky to get 15 - 16 mpg in town, but that is a far cry better than the 8 mpg I was getting with my full sized Dodge Ram.

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  Ridgeline vs. Sport Trac - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Scott - December 24 - 11:42 am

  After debating between the 2007 Ridgeline and the 2007 Ford Sport Trac, I went with the Ridgeline and am glad that I did. The Ridgeline is a wonderful, tough truck and drives like a dream. I am not a truck person per se but need an open truck bed for Home Depot runs and hauling two large dogs around town and this truck fills that need and more. The in-bed trunk is the best as it is located at the tail gate, the Sport Tracs large in- bed trunk is located behind the rear window so you would have to get up into the bed just to put something in the trunk. For the first 1,500 miles, I have been averaging 18 mpg in the City. Not bad for truck this size. The V6 engine offers plenty of power.

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  Looked for a Year... - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By mbertaut - December 21 - 11:49 am

  If you, like me, own two gas cans, three propane bottles, and a Great Dane, BUT have to commute 40 miles a day to work and back, you want both truck and very well-built car too. Ridgeline is both, and does both very well. Last Honda I had went 200k miles over 13 years with no issues, so how could I not go Honda again? Love the truck, rides very smooth, extremely safe in bad weather, computers are smarter than I am and keep me out of trouble. Only drawback is gas mileage, Im getting 17 city, no highway test yet.

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  Perfect for my needs - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jeff - December 19 - 11:10 am

  I dont haul gravel and bricks, but Im always hauling kids to basketball and often picking up something from Sears or Home Depot. Just the right combo of comfortable SUV-like features and truck utility for me. Its not a workhorse, but its stylish, comfortable, utilitarian, and reliable.

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  Bogus Ratings - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dennis Vidal - December 19 - 1:10 am

  I am a genuine Ridgeline owner, and not one fabricating stories to sell a different brand or discredit Honda.This truck is not perfect but serves my needs very very well. My landscaping business and the tools that come with job can be hauled by my truck as if their is nothing at the back and surefooted in snow. The many awards this truck garnered is a testament to its merits. Anyone accusing Honda of bribing the award giving bodies is hogwash. I mean you can bribe one or two award giving bodies but close to 12 award giving bodies unanimous in praising the Ridgeline meant one thing, those awards arent bought and much deserved. Kudos to Honda for reinventing the truck.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Al - December 18 - 11:10 pm

  This is a great truck. I have owned several different trucks this is by far the best built I have ever had. Great ride. Good Fuel economy. The truck in the bed is an excellent feature.

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  honda vs. chevy - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By groundeffx - December 18 - 6:06 pm

  i traded in a chevy colorado for this truck. the honda is wider and can fit 3 kids in the back seat better. the chevy got 19 mpg with a 3.5L 5cyl 220 hp vs. the honda 18 mpg 3.5 L v6 244 hp.

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  Tough enough for Alaska - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Alaskan - December 13 - 12:33 pm

  I have owned every truck brand sold in America and the Ridgeline, hands down is the best driving truck I have had. The roads here are rough and slick in winter and this truck handles excellent on icy, snowy roads. The back end stays stable and it stops on a dime, without even changing to all winter tires. I agree this isnt a brute to take out on bad dirt roads, but for occasional truck needs and an everyday commuter, this is an excellent choice in all winter conditions Alaska has thrown at it.

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  honda ridgeline - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By frank - December 12 - 11:24 am

  i normally drive a Chevie tahoe. this vehicle gets the same fuel economy on the highway and worse in the mountains. It is very rough riding. It is much noisier. Its turning radius is terrible. I pulled a trailer and got 9 miles per gallon. I am trying to get rid of it and it has less than 5000 miles. I bought it because of the size and storage. With 240 plus horsepower, I thought it would be better for passing.

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  Ridgeline Disappointment - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By gjj - December 11 - 7:25 pm

  After 11 months of ownership, and 6 trips to the dealership for repairs, I have decided to sell. Rear window that would not roll back up (11 miles on truck), front strut coils would bind and then release when turning the wheel (3 trips to repair shop on this problem alone). The large back side panel would flex in while reaching into the bed for items, and then pop back out, leaving a noticeable dent (3 in 11 months from lifting bikes out of the bed). There were numerous, loud rattles in the dash area, and a very loud buzzing noise when driving at freeway speeds. Gas mileage well below sticker estimates. Limited leg room, at 65" this truck was not comfortable.