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 Job - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Y.Kanes - December 18 - 8:32 pm

  This is our 3rd one and its by far the best , they truly got it right. We test drove the new Chevy and GMC as well as the Toyota , quite frankly there is no comparison in the ride , handling or quietness that this truck provides. It truly presents the perfect combination of the practicality of a truck with the driving comfort and ease of a luxury vehicle. The redesign hit the mark and we could not be more pleased with the truck.

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  First truck for Honda...and for me! - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By gonzo1124 - December 9 - 9:40 am

  Always wanted a truck, not for heavy hauling, off-road riding, but for everyday stuff like picking up yard supplies, moving household stuff, transporting my motorcycle, camping, maybe towing a small boat, bringing a big TV home, etc. Have tested other small to medium size trucks and was not sure if I could have them as daily drivers. Then this came along. Drove it for a while and I knew that this is what I had been waiting for! Not a SUPER HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK or a 4X4 DIRT DIGGER, or a 10-TON PULLER, but a more civilized truck that I can also use as a car. I have been driving it for over a month now and enjoying every minute. Thanks Honda for building what I was looking for.

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  So Far, So Good - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Harry Thetford - December 4 - 11:41 pm

  Have put about 500 miles on my new Ridgeline, which is replacing a 2006 Ridgeline with 210,000 miles on it. Very pleased so far.

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  Great mid-sized truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Michael Crebbin - November 21 - 3:11 am

  Drives like a great car, but is still a truck.

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  Best truck Ive ever owned! - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Shawn K. - November 17 - 3:12 am

  I was looking for a truck that offered the level of comfort and luxury of an upscale car or SUV, and the Ridgeline is totally it! It was a bit on the pricey side (though I did add almost $4,000 in add-ons), but when considering what I got for the price, I cant really complain. Im still in awe of how smooth and unbelievably quiet a ride it is, which I tell friends is comparable to the Cadillac Sedan de Ville I used to drive on occasion for work. Im not a fan of the built-in nav system, but since it has Apple Car Play I just use Apple Maps, which is much better (though not as good as Waze, which I wish could be used with Car Play). I also cant get the system to recognize ANY voice commands, but then again I rarely try since Im not a fan of vocal commands anyway. But features like the two-way tailgate and especially the trunk are WAY cool and never fail to impress friends and other truck owners. I was also VERY pleasantly surprised by the acceleration and pick-up it has. Ive only had the truck a few weeks so I cant comment on maintenance or reliability, but so far Id say that its the best new vehicle purchase Ive ever made!

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  jh Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By jhoback - November 11 - 11:03 pm

  Have had the vehicle 3 mos. Great styling. Wonderful service dept. Makes long trips fun. Pulled a trailer to help kids move - didnt even notice it was there. The hidden trunk under the bed is very cool - nice secure storage while shopping. Also have used this trunk as an ice cooler for one of our family outings (filled it with ice and emptied the water when done). Decent gas mileage (21 on the road, 14- 16 in town). Tough purchase to beat.

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  OLD MANS VIEW - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By paul trefethen - November 4 - 3:27 am

  shop a lot. buy thru a service if you can.

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  all around vehicle - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By larry potts - October 21 - 5:43 pm

  This truck is fun to drive, comfortable, roomy back seat, lots of storage compartments, excellent radio and CD sound.Especially the XM and CD.I like the chunky look. Comfortable seats.Wish back seats would recline though.Glad we bought it

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  Cool Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jon - October 13 - 9:53 am

  Just bought my new Ridgeline and its a very cool truck. The ride is better than the Pilot imo. If you havent driven one yet, go and drive one. Youll be impressed how Honda did with its 1st truck.

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  Truck with a Tux - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By VSEG - October 13 - 9:31 am

  Im 2 months into ownership and absolutely love the Ridgeline RTL-E. Its smooth, comfortable and elegant with the alloys, running boards, chrome and rear tri-fold cover. Its a head turner in pearl white. This is my first truck and its everything I will ever need in utility. If youre looking to drive in comfort and have the ability to pick up stuff at Home Depot and could care less about hauling and off road this is more truck then youll ever need. This truck is well mannered, car- like and composed and I love all of the tech features, lane departure, collision mitigation and the auto hi-beams. Audio has great sound, Navigation is great but the touch screen is quirky and takes some getting used to. I think they should change the touch screen going forward. They need to add cooled seats and outside mirror signals, as the RTL-E is the top of the line. Lastly the tailgate does not lock; bummer. Overall, great truck!