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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  surprised - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By eddie - June 1 - 12:40 am

  i have a new ridgeline with xm and moonroof.i was surprised as to how easy i got the dealer to accept my offer. i paid $29444.00 and that is near dealers invoice. they are dealing now as opposed to a year ago. the truck rides like a car and is very comfortable. the rear head rest i had to take off to see out the back windows.so far so good.they even dealt on an extended warranty.from 800 to 600.traded an f150 and am very happy i did. no major complaints so far.

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  Love it - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JIM RICE - May 20 - 4:43 pm

  I have been a car salesman for 7 years and never have i seen a vehicle that is so (out of the box) or showed so much thought and imagination in its design. This vehicle will change the way designers will produce trucks and suvs in the coming years. Excellent job honda and keep up the prefect work!!!

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  My thoughts - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robert - May 19 - 11:13 am

  I have just over 8000 miles on the truck already. The motor is too small. It shifts a lot trying to keep up. I feel it would get better mileage with a bigger motor. Other than that it is a great truck, we use the trunk alot. In short, it needs more horsepower.

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  Love My Ridgeline "Mom mobile" - love it! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By celeste - April 25 - 4:26 pm

  I have owned my truck for over 2 weeks now. It is the most comfortable truck I have ever had. It rides like a car, has the room of a car inside plus has the trunk of a car in the bed which is great. The cargo lights are handy also in the bed. Love the way the door swings open too. The stereo rocks with the subwoofer. Spend the extra for the RTS!! The options are worth it. Fuel I get about 360 miles a tank and I go to the other side of town (hour away) daily in traffic for work. It is very peppy for a 3.5! I have 3 kids and all 3 of them fit perfect in the back seat without any complaints. They say the have more room than in the car or the Jeep. I own a Mustang & this is more fun to drive.

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  Great, but room to improve - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Matt - April 20 - 1:46 pm

  I fell in love with this truck because one it had the honda name attached and because it was different than the domestic trucks comanding the road (other than the Avelanche). I wished that the truck inside would have been more stylish with more curves rather than the cuts like the knee room for the driver! Plus maybe an additioanl option of a V-8? and u thought that the MPG could have been better but it is still decent.

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  Best Truck Ever? - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By tim - April 19 - 7:20 am

  I fell in love with this truck. After driving many american pickups, this one blew them away! i highly recommend this truck!

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  2006 Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By allan Jones - April 3 - 12:16 pm

  The Ridgeline handles extremely well for a pickup truck. I like the features of having a two-way tail gate and the rear storage space. It has good power and gas mileage (I get 18 mpg for my 25 mi commute.) The rear seating is comfortable and the lift up seat feature is very convienient. I had a problem with a bumping noise in the front suspension and the dealership replaced the parts willingly. The truck has excellent support from Honda. The front seats are comfortable. I recently drove 3,000 mi on a trip without discomfort or fatigue. Overall I am very pleased with the truck.

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  Jury is still out! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By marlin - April 3 - 1:43 am

  I have about 5000 miles on my R-line and so far I am disappointed with the fuel economy and I have a few rattels developing inside the cab (passenger- side air bag dash unit). Overall I am satisfied with the handling and minimal road noise. I have used it to haul feed and for limited off-road situations. I would like to run it another 10,000 miles before I would recommend it to a friend.

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  A Mid Size Truck Thats Doesnt Feel like a Truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By John - March 31 - 8:16 am

  I was looking for a midsize truck but didnt like the idea of rear wheel drive w/ 4WD. The Ridgeline with AWD fit perfectly. I wanted a long bed so not a crew cab. But the Ridgeline crew cab has a lot of storage under the rear seats and a flat floor. The truck bed is also flat. The tail gate opens to the side as well as conventionally. The in bed trunk is huge. The 2017 Ridgeline is a very comfortable SUV with a really big trunk.

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  best yet - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By scottsdale - March 26 - 1:00 pm

  I drove GM vans for years until they stopped making that model. I needed something to replace the van and a GM surburban that I used to haul and also pull a boat. The Ridgeline fits that dual purpose requirement for passengers and stuff to a T. The fuel mileage could be better, but then again it is a truck.