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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  I love my truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By D Cox - October 23 - 9:23 pm

  My new truck is a perfect mix of a SUV and a truck. Loads fo room in the back seat and a great trunk in the bed. Im very happy with it.

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  2018 Black Edition Honda Ridgeline - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By bcomer - October 17 - 10:16 pm

  Love it all around.

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  Just the Right Truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ed Sanford - October 15 - 9:13 pm

  I was looking for the right truck. I was frankly partial to the F150. When I really checked it out, it was too big. The Honda Ridgeline is perfect for me. It is a truck that drives like the Accord. It holds the road and is comfortable- no big vehicle sway. It has plenty of power and very driveable. The bed is rugged and comes lined. Also, there is a hatch in the bed that opens to a trunk that is lighted. There are stadium style rear seats with plenty of room. It has a Garmin GPS which is far more accurate than those that come with cars. For me, the only downside is that it doesnt have memory for the drivers seat position.

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  Wonderful Truck that drives like a Car or SUV - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Stacey - October 12 - 11:21 am

  This truck has very clever design. The interior is posh, appointed like a higher end SUV - the exterior is very attractive but the storage/cargo features are what sells the vehicle. There is a lockable "trunk" hidden in the truck bed. There is a drain hole so you could fill it with ice and beverages for tailgating, etc. The bed is 4 wide so it can accommodate a 4x8 sheet of ply or drywall. I havent attempted that yet but the bed is flat (no wheel wells) so I believe it. There are also several tie-downs located inside the bed. The back seat can be pulled upward and latched creating a large cargo area there. Stuff can be stowed under the back seat while it is down also. I love the storage area between the two front seats. It is very large and can fit a small to medium purse. The truck drives like an SUV or even a car. Very quiet and easy to drive. Very nice vehicle. Reliability and other aspects of longer term vehicle ownership are yet to be determined so I rated them a 4.

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  Buy it! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By DC - October 12 - 6:49 am

  Great truck for people who have treated there cars like trucks for years. The trunk feature in the truck bed is great. All around great truck.

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  Old man that wanted a comfortable pickup - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By charles johnson - September 18 - 5:48 pm

  I have only had the vehicle a short time, but I love it. This is my first Honda.

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  GREAT TRUCK - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JAMAICA - September 17 - 8:16 pm

  This truck drives like a car. It is very easy to handle. The leg room is the greatest. A family can travel with comfort and carry all you need is the back. So far it has been great. It is too early to determine if the truck is reliable. I will have to see in the winter

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  weekend warrior - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By blue5 - September 4 - 4:26 pm

  After 200 miles of driving, I have no regrets for getting this truck. This truck has the right blend of luxury and performance for everyday driving. This is my first truck and it was made for the weekend warrior.I like the Tacoma but the ride was a little rough and interior was slightly spartan. Ridgeline is pricier but it has all the SUV features.

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  Great truck - favorite vehicle ive owned so far - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tracy Nickleson - September 3 - 7:47 am

  I love the truck. The touch screen is a little finicky sometimes, but its the most comfortable vehicle Ive owned, to date, in regards to how it hugs the road, and how it envelopes my body. Every day, I find myself looking for excuses to drive someplace.

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  If only the tailgate locked - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By owner - August 23 - 7:20 pm

  Dealer wrapped a tonneau cover into my purchase which would have been great if the tailgate locked. I carry items that do not fit into the trunk and must be locked. My salesman assured me the tailgate would lock. not so. We are working on a fix. Other than that I love this truck. I call it a cluck for chick truck or car truck. The mirrors do not retract by power. 2 complaints which honda could easily fix for probably not that much money and it would be perfect. I am coming from a bmw and this truck is much more clever and solid. It is an outstanding vehicle.