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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  excellent buy - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Mack - January 14 - 7:36 am

  What a Blast!! A really outstanding vehicle and fun also. Not only fun to drive but good looks also.

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  Honda gets it right! - 2018 Honda Ridgeline
  By Dan Wells - January 13 - 5:30 pm

  After much deliberation and some arm twisting by my wife I purchased a White Diamond Pearl RTL-E. I have owned a lot of trucks in the past: a Ford Ranger, 2 Mazdas, an F150 and 4 Tundras. The Ridgeline by far is the nicest truck Ive owned. The Ranger and Mazdas were underwhelming to say the least whereas the F150 and Tundras were way more truck than I needed. Like most truck owners 95% of the time my truck is used just like a car, as a mode of transportation. The other 5% of the time its used to haul mulch, appliances, furniture, tow a utility trailer with a zero turn mower and about 4 times a year its called on to tow our 4500# camper. Like most people I dont do any serious off roading, rock crawling or mogul jumping. Honda is the only manufacturer that has its priorities right in building the Ridgeline. They built a vehicle that guys (and gals) like me "need" first of all and then did a great job of giving us a few things we want. I "need" a truck thats easy to get in and out of (Im 65), gets decent gas mileage, is relatively easy to maneuver and park, does not swallow my garage, can haul a decent amount of stuff and most importantly can tow close to 5,000#s. The Ridgeline is the only truck that checks all those "need" boxes. My last truck, a Tundra, only checked the last 2. It was a great truck but way more truck than I needed. While Honda was at it they gave owners a few wants: a car like ride, an awesome sounding audio system, a super quiet ride and most of all great reliability. My biggest concern is its ability to tow my Jayco X18D camper. The Tundra did a great job, no question about that. With the same brake controller and weight distribution hitch, the Ridgeline does exceedingly well. And amazingly with the camper hooked up the rear of the Ridgeline only squats a half an inch! The Tundra squatted an inch and a half. I am certain Honda has "overbuilt" this truck to cope with a 5,000# trailer, camper, boat etc. I believe they have settled on that tow limit for liability reasons and not on the Ridgelines actual towing ability. According to the sticker on the hitch the truck is rated for a 600# max hitch weight. Hitch weights are always rated at 10% of the max towing ability, thus Im sure the Ridgeline could safely tow 6,000#s. And as a daily driver the Ridgeline really shines. We recently took a vacation from Ohio to Florida and averaged 26mpg. Way better than the Tundras 17-18. The ride is so smooth and quiet that it truly is on par with, if not exceeds our 14 Lexus GS350. For a truck its simply amazing. Thanks Honda for building a truck, that if most truck owners were honest, would admit its all the truck they "need."

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  Worth the wait and fun to drive - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Monty - January 9 - 3:03 pm

  Although this vehicle hasnt been in production for two years and most people say do not buy the first year of a redesigned vehicle, you cant go wrong with the 2017 Ridgeline if you are looking for a medium duty pickup for occasional hauling, camping or your tailgating at your favorite teams game. The water tight storage trunk in the bed is great for trips when you need that extra storage or when you need to load up on your favorite beverage for the tailgate to keep cold. Easy access and the bed lighting form both sides when you open the trunk, truly make this a needed accessory on more vehicles. The ride is smooth, the engine powerful and the remote start means you dont enter a cold vehicle in the winter or a hot one in the summer and that is important in West Texas. The vehicle comes prewired for towing and even has a connection for trailer brakes, meaning you dont have to do extra wiring yourself or have to take it back to the dealer to have the wiring upgraded. Mileage is good whether on the highway or making errands around town. May be the best vehicle purchase I have made in the last 20 years.

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  Classy truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Eric Watts - January 6 - 4:15 am

  Despite being equipped with a towing hitch the electrical wiring is not complete. In order to tow you will need to purchase the final hitch working harness and have it installed.

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  My other vehicle costs over $100K - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By High End Owner - December 31 - 2:43 am

  Ive had my RTL Ridgeline for 5 months now and it is a real pleasure. My other car is a 2005 Mercedes SL500 and that car is fun too BUT -- The Hondas sound system is better and the vehicles ride is more comfortable!! Cost was no object for me and I went for the rear view camera - very neat. I traded in a 2002 Tacoma 4cyl -- (dreadfully underpowered for So. Cal) a big step up from that. I bought this without getting my wifes OK - deciding immediately after a test drive. When she rode it, she immediately understood and fully approved. I dont put many miles on my vehicles and need more than a 2-seater (COSTCO)- this fits the bill. I OWN this vehicle -- I LEASE the SL500!

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  Poor customer service - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ccar - December 25 - 2:17 pm

  Both dealership and Honda have a nasty view of their customers. Wish I could return my truck even though Ive had it for less than 2 weeks. Mirrors malfunction and makes me feel unsafe in the truck not knowing what else will fail.

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  Raggedy Ridgeline to RAMBUNCTIOUS Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Deafdog007 - December 16 - 7:38 pm

  NOW this looks, feels & functions as a truck! However you have the extremely comfortable, quiet & luxurious ride like the Honda Pilot. Plus you have all the little fun yet very functional additions of under the bed storage/ice cooler (with drain plug), storage under the rear seats (that fold up for large items) & all 4 door panels have divided storage. A/C for the rear section makes for chilled out passengers & super safe child restraints for car seats. Weve only had for a few months so cant speak to longer term issues like maintenance, resale or warranty, but if it holds true to the Honda tradition it should do extremely well.

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  Sweet & simple - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By JNauta - December 3 - 6:57 am

  Truck bed needs better rails to accommodate racks, different tie down configurations. Sliding rear window needs to be available across all the trim levels. Cup holders in the doors need to be deeper, water bottles keep flopping around when you drive. Heated seats need to be on a timmer to shut off after a extended amount of time, plus they dont really get that warm to begin with, you can barely tell they work. AWD needs more ground clearance for extra assurance on those rough dirt roads (like my old Tacoma prerunner). I do love the smooth and quieter ride than my 15 year old Tacoma.20

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  My new 2017 Honda Ridgeline - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Tom Jeffrey - November 19 - 12:31 pm

  I am a 56 year old business man and for 25 years I have driven luxury sedans. But I have always wanted an AWD pickup truck. My new Ridgeline rides very much like a luxury sedan. Its quiet, handles well, is comfortable and roomy, and has all the convenience electronics I need. But its a truck! Best of both worlds. I love it.

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  2017 Ridgeline Ups and Downs - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Rick Perkins - November 17 - 1:36 am

  If you need a hauling vehicle that you dont mind using on a first date, the Ridgeline wont disappoint you. If you are a previous Ridgeline owner, you might have to overlook a few changes. Im not going into the technical specs. Trading in my silver 2008 RTL for a white 2017 RTL-T last month, Im still making some adjustments. Navigation and electronics: big upgrade. Little changes: Lock placement on glove compartment- Great; change in placement of rear sliding window-Bad (I did not get sliding window on my truck). Biggest adjustment: moving shifter from steering column to floor console eliminates several interior storage compartments that proved very useful in my 2008 truck. Biggest disappointment: I expected a better increase is gas mileage. My wifes hybrid makes me look like Im a gas guzzler. Most unique feature is still the "under the bed trunk". This feature, along with the comfortable interior and overall Honda quality, eliminated the competition for me.