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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  Loved Ridgeline until fire - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kim - December 20 - 11:32 pm

  We loved our Honda Ridgeline. Great truck, my husband used it for his work as a construction supply company owner. He frequently hauled building materials with this truck. He also drove it long distances without a single problem. Everything was great about this truck, until it caught on fire today, and is now sitting in the towing companys lot, waiting to see what can be salvaged. Ive been a loyal Honda/Acura owner for years, we also own a Civic and an Acura MDX, but we will not be replacing this Ridgeline with another Honda.

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  My new 2017 Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By jpmac08 - December 19 - 8:11 am

  I really enjoy this vehicle but I do have a few however. I wanted a small pickup to commute and do occasional work. I narrowed my choices down to the Ridgeline, Tacoma and the Colorado. I picked the Ridgeline on comfort and I was able to get a little better deal through COSTCO. I love driving it. Along the way I have found a few things that I am not excited about. My battery went dead and I went to jump start it according to the owners manual. Honda for whatever reason has not made this easy. You have to remove a shield before attaching cables. A huge hassle. Secondly the instrument council controls are not automatically lit. I had to make a drive late a night and wanted to turn off the A/c. Had to turn on cabin lights o see controls. A back light would have been nice. Finally, in todays world I would think a small truck could get 20 MPH average for all driving. My Ridgeline gets 18.5. Disappointing. I would by this vehicle again, I really enjoy it and the dealer I have bought it from has been great. At the end of the day, nothing is perfect. Honda can easily address my "CONS".

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  Solid Little Truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Doctor Mac - November 21 - 7:03 pm

  I downsized from a Suburban. I really liked the Chevy (it was nearly flawless), but I got hosed on the resale value. The Honda rides well and seems to be reasonable with regard to fuel economy. I do think Honda could improve a few things. The HomeLink buttons are not lighted & can be tough to find at night. Fog-lights should certainly be standard on the RTL. The front passenger seat is heated, but only the bottom cushion "due to the side-impact airbags"?? Attention Honda: Other manufacturers have figured that out. Give them a call. Also, the stereo is good, but not the equal of that in the top-of-the line Pilot. Honda: truckers like to rock on too. All in all a good vehicle for the $!

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  Wrecked when new! - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ephman - November 16 - 5:16 pm

  Looked at GMC & Ford but went with Rline for Honda quality. With 8000 on the odo, wife was run off the road and into a tree by teenaged driver. Bags didnt deploy, and no one was hurt but $15,000 in front end (including frame) damages later, local dealers body shop did a superb job getting Rline back on the road. Will have to drive it into the ground now, since it has little trade-in value but seems to be back at 100% Have had to replace navi and a heated seat control both under warranty, unusual reliability for a Honda. Very comfortable front seats in which to drive, especially on highway trips. Rear seat not comfortable for my teenagers and fuel economy no better than a GMC 1500.

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  Highly Reccomended - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Curly - November 9 - 12:17 pm

  In 20 yrs owned 3 GM full sized trucks then Suburban. Needed to go back to PU. Tired of American quality vehicles and associated repair bills. Finally went Honda. Ridgeline has been in shop for scheduled maint only. 55,000 miles and everything still works. Drives like a car - golf clubs fit in rear trunk. Whats not to like? Reminds me of a bulldog, ugly to look at - and I love it unconditionally.

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  Most versatile SUV available - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bob - October 16 - 12:48 pm

  If you want a luxury sedan, its close. If you want a work truck, its close. If you want a tow vehicle, its good there too. I just towed a 4200 lb. trailer over 4,000 miles with my Ridgeline, and encountered no problems. Going over the Rockies sometimes required full power for several minutes, but the temp. gauge barely moved. Very stable, even when semis. passed by. The cab is roomy, and it is fun to drive. I average 19.3 MPG commuting 80 miles, but the mileage dropped to 11.2 towing. The Ridgeline is, in my opinion, the most versatile, high quality vehicle available.

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  Not Bad - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By Trucker - October 12 - 9:32 pm

  Bought this truck(sort of) in May. I have 10K miles. This truck is easy to drive with great brakes and a nice suspension. It tows my bass boat and 14 trailer with no problems except for frequent shifting. One annoying thing is that the truck routinely shifts out of top gear on the highway even without a trailer. Engine could use more low end to reduce shifts. Great upper end power. Seats seem to stain easily. Interior storage is nice. Have noticed some torque steer trying to pass. This truck is really handy and practical. Other vehicle is a 2005 F150. Ridgeline is easier to drive and park. Only reason for F150 is hauling horses. Overall it is a great truck that can handle almost everything.

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  really satisfied - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By zack - October 1 - 9:22 pm

  Looked at Explorer Track and Toyota but the in bed trunk and Honda reliability got me. Priced a little high and designed a little younger than I wanted. Ive got 60,000 miles on it and have only had regular service. Put 5200 mile on it on one trip in June this year and it rode great.

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  Superb truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By jgonzalez - September 30 - 9:52 pm

  I bought this truck to replace a 2002 Ford Ranger. I am very pleased with my purchase. The truck rides like a car, has lots of interior room and I really like the "trunk". Honda definitively builds quality vehicles.

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  nice truck - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
  By mike - September 9 - 9:25 pm

  First and foremost i would recommend this to anyone looking to buy a small to mid size truck. Very fun to drive, lots of room, nice trunk in the bed, enough power, nice brakes. I have had a few issues with it, the rear tailgate is broke and will not swing out (handle seems broken, will get that taken care next oil change), had part of the ceiling fall down (was repaired). The navigation system works well and has a large screen but the more i use it i wish it had more features. Have not driven it in snow yet so have yet to test the all wheel drive system.