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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  Great Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By JC Leuyer - March 22 - 10:53 am

  Handles great and all the options are very easy to get to, for example air conditioning, radio, cruise control, and all of the features are easy and conveint. It drives like a car and has good pick up.

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  Made the right dicision - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Le - March 20 - 1:49 pm

  I weighted between the 2017 Tacoma and the Ridgeline. Test drive both then decided to get the Ridgeline. After driving almost 1200 miles, I feel I made the right choice. The MPG is good. On the way to work, I drive 16 freeway miles + 4 city miles, I got between 27 - 30 mpg. After almost 1200 miles, the average MPG is 23.4 with lots of city mile. The truck is very comfortable, and quiet. It is like driving the suv, not the truck. It is the truck I want, good for every day commute, and it can tow stuffs when I need it. There are some features I dont think as good as I want but overall, it is an excellent truck.

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  Great Truck!! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Saint - February 28 - 6:30 pm

  Fantastic truck. Truck like features with a car-like feel. Wonderful Honda quality

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  Perfect fit for my needs - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mr. D - February 11 - 2:35 am

  What can I say! I can’t believe I got a truck with everything a truck offers except it has the comfort of a luxury car! That tailgate and the extra trunk for storage is the best!

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  Exceeded My Expectations - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Eddie - January 24 - 4:33 pm

  This truck drives like a car and functions better than most trucks on the market. Lots of great features (in bedtrunk, great stereo, comfortable rideand seats).The only disappointment so far is thething likes gas and lots of it. Honda should consider the VCM feature likefound on the Odyssey to improve gas mileage. It looks better in person than you see on the internet.

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  Steel Blue - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By zoolander - January 13 - 7:43 pm

  Great all around vehicle. I traded in a 2004 VW Passat (4 Motion 6 Cyl) for this truck. It has tons of room in the cab and enough power to spare. Id like to see an 8cyl version for some serious power. I bought the optional tonneau cover and rear splash guards (I think the rear splash guards should have been included) Over all I love this truck.

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  Heater will not heat the floor. - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By MMartin - January 10 - 4:59 am

  I have tried to put the heat controls pointing to just the floor and due to the small openings there is not enough heat to keep the floor warm. Just took a trip to Chicago and had cold feet all the way. I took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told it works just like the other 2017 units and that was how it works. Definitely not impressed with the outcome of the dealer visit. My 2003 Jeep Wrangler has a better heater than this new 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTS

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  Like my first Honda - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom - January 5 - 12:56 am

  So far, so good. I have driven my new Honda Ridgeline RTL 1500 miles with no complaints. The interior room is excellent and more spacious than my Infinti G35. Horsepower is adequate for my driving style. This truck handles well, more like a car feel. For gas mileage, I cannot complain. On the highway I am averaging almost 20 miles per gallon. This is lower than the G35 but at least I can use regular gas in the Ridgeline. I noted some of the nice features and suggested imporvements. I would like to see improved are power passenger seats, automatic rear view mirror should be standard, thicker polymer used on bedliner, telescopic steering wheel would be nice. Price is the only major negative

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  Gas Mileage - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By jon - January 4 - 12:16 pm

  A lot has been said about the poor gas mileage of The ridgeline. I have found this not to be true. In city driving (stop and go) I have been getting between 16 - 17.5 mpg. I just took it on a short road trip of 130 miles at the posted speed limit and got 23.76 mpg. I made it a point to fill it to the top on both fuel refills. I am very pleased with the mileage.

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  Dallas - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Srini - December 25 - 1:30 am

  The only thing I dont like is while backing up, maybe I will get used to it eventually. Else, its everything I expected it to be...