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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  Personal - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Bill Pope - March 14 - 8:16 pm

  I shopped extensively before buying this vehicle. I decided on the Ridgeline because of Hondas reputation for quality and its practicality. It doesnt handle the way most trucks do. Its about the same length as a single cab pickup so parking lots are easy! The truck hasnt developed any rattles and the road noise in muted, umlike my first Honda, the Pilot. I kept that Honda two months before trading it for a Chevrolet truck. I am so much happier with this truck than the Pilot. The seats will make you feel like driving for hours. The navigation ,satellite radio are wonderful, though I found myself in front of a residential home rather than a pancake house in San Antonio.

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  17 Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Peter Carson - March 11 - 5:44 am

  No CD player. Very comfortable, nice GPS, good mpg!

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  Ridgeline Kicks Butt in Texas - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By H.C. VanScoy - March 10 - 5:26 pm

  Traded in our 2004 Odyssey on the 06 Ridgeline -- its a great vehicle. Comfortable, stylish and wonderful for long-distance travel. Hondas innovative storage solutions are great and the sound system is beyond our expectations. Can you tell we love our new Ridgeline?

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  GOOD AS THE 2017 - 2013 Honda Ridgeline
  By ed ziringer - March 8 - 11:58 am

  I BOUGHT A 2013

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  Lovin It - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By gary - March 6 - 6:26 pm

  Not having driven a truck of over 15 I must say "What a change". The Ridgeline has the cab space of the Pilot and a ride similiar to the Accord. I love the in box "truck". Im glad to see that Honda added the lighting to the volume and cruise control on the steering wheel. Ive only had the vehicle a week and Im "Lovin it"

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  Honda Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By nbk89k7 - February 25 - 10:46 am

  This Honda truck is smooth, quiet, has lots of power and the interior is roomy & comfortable. Rides like a car, turns on a dime - I miss the keypad entry system my Ford had, but the Honda is worth every penny! It is fun & sporty, the sound system is awesome (inlcudes XM radio), & the navigation system comes in handy. It seems to have the typical Honda quality and construction.

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  Honda Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Yyama456 - February 25 - 9:36 am

  This truck is great. It is extremely quiet. The interior is great. It is very comfortable, and this is the only truck available on the market that is reliable, safe, dependale, and that has a decent fuel economy. Thats why I love it. It has everything, and the quality is excellent.

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  Fun To Drive and Reliable - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Michael - February 22 - 2:16 am

  This vehicle has set a new standard that will force the big 3 to change the way they build trucks forever. I have never dreamed this would be so fun to drive.

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  Urban Driver - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rey - January 31 - 6:30 pm

  Bought in March 2017. I previously owned a 2010 F150 and had to downsize because of moving to the city. I thought I would be regretting, but I was wrong. Got highway mileage of 28 mpg and the best on the F150 was 20 mpg. Rides very quiet with a soft car ride. I decided to add 4 pounds of air and feels more like a truck for me. I wish Honda would have options to add to these vehicles. I wanted moon roof and rear sliding window and had to go to upper model. I dont use the OEM navigation, but the Android Auto. That is fantastic with my Samsung smartphone. Adaptive cruise is great except when driver in front is slower and causes a rapid deceleration of your car. The truck is slow to get back to speed when passing. I have to manually accelerate to get to speed. Rain causes sensors to give false alarms and lane departure or lane mitigation sensors do not work while driving on the highway in the rain. This seams to be a problem with these sensors since I experienced the same thing with my 2010 F150. Read the manual, Honda is aware of this weather related problem. Materials are great except that they use thinner outside metal that gets easily dented. Overall I am very happy with my buy. Get many compliments.

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  An Outstanding Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kipper - January 30 - 2:33 am

  I first saw the Ridgeline at the Cleveland Auto Show back in February. I knew it was what I wanted, and I ended up purchasing one the day after it came out. It was the first one in Cleveland. I can not put in words how much fun this car is to drive. The ride is very comfortable and the features make this truck very cool. It turns heads a lot, all my friends love it, my dad takes it when I am not around instead of his Jeep, and I just love the experience. The car is less than 6 months old and I have already put 13k miles on it. It has been on many roadtrips to Florida, Chicago, Maine, and Canada. This truck runs strong and has not even hinted of having a problem. It is a beast!