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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  versatility and roomy - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By anthony - November 10 - 12:23 pm

  Roomier interior. Fun to drive. Quality engine. Tough trunk bed. Excellent interior design.

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  wow what a truck - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Socal truck lover - November 3 - 7:32 am

  If you go for the top edition which is the black edition, you will be happy at how it looks like a truck and acts like a truck be has a very suv feel to it. Its all wheel drive and at least 4 traction options. they there is the d4 option adds more capability to the truck. I also like the lighting, parking assist, blind spot asist, lane keeping assist, full voice control of audio and climate control and navigation and phone calls. I do not have to do anything. Hands free finally. I have had Jags, and tundra and jeep commander, bmw and I was shocked to get all this for less than a 3 series BMW. the truck bed is fully protected with a liner. You will never go back. To anything else.

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  Totally Awesome - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By RTDjr - November 3 - 3:10 am

  I am a former Chevy guy who has gone 100% Honda in the last 3 years. Own a small company and have 4 Civics, a CRV and 05 Odysses. Had to get this Truck and love it beyond anything else I have ever owned. Fun to drive, turns head with its "grow on you" styling and people coming up and asking all about it. XM Radio is really great and super sounds. I have used it as a truck and love its versatility. Golf clubs fit below the bed and step in height is perfect. Look forward to years of driving. Redrock pearl is the color to get. My wife likes that this winter the heated seats will come in handy.

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  New Reigning Champion - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Ridgeline Hawg - October 26 - 5:06 am

  I traded an 09 Nissan Frontier 4x4 for my new Honda Ridgeline Black Edition. I couldnt be happier with the upgrade. Some question the Hondas "truckiness", but those criticisms are strangely self serving in some weird way. Those who are compelled to point out that the Tacoma, Canyons or Frontier in their most able iterations can out-haul or traverse a more dire off road terrain than the Ridgeline appear to believe that most people buy trucks for such purposes. Research has shown that 94% of truck buyers rarely undertake those endeavors. Just as we often see large 7 passenger SUVs occupied by the driver only. The truth is the Ridgeline rides, drives and handles better than the competition. Its better on fuel economy, has more technology and user friendly options than the competition. And, for doing the work that 95% of truck buyers do, it does it just as well as the others. New champ in town. Long live the Champ!

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  dashboard problem - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Patrick Le Beau - October 20 - 2:00 am

  With less than 1000 miles on my new 2017 truck I get a message on my dashboard between the speedometer and the tach that there is a problem with just about all the systems on the truck. There are no problems , but the computer says there are. Something is wrong with the wireing system . A new wireing harness must be ordered. I will update this to see if this cures the problem.

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  Tuff Truck for Family - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Honda Craftmanship - October 17 - 6:56 am

  Solid comfort - ind suspension is excellent - tows my 24ft trail very well. VTEC V6 is strong - all truck for a family unless you are a dirt nut. You get Honda Technology, Reliability and Resale - period. So many features and lots of interior room!!

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  The Incredible Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Robert - October 13 - 6:03 am

  I could not be happier with my new Ridgeline, the features in this truck outperform any other truck on the market.

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  Truck of the Year - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By John - October 2 - 10:36 am

  This is the best truck on the road. It drives like a car sometimes better than a car. ONE COMPLAINT it needs battery run down protection or something along those lines. With some of the switches for interior light and cargo light on a toggle like switch it can be accidentally hit when exiting the car. Which I did only to get into the vehicle the next day to a run down battery. I would buy again and I am a converted Honda fan.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By Oliver - September 26 - 2:53 pm

  This vehicle is awesome. The design and engineering is leading edge. It wont be long before all pick-up trucks come with trunks. I traded in a Dodge Dakota for the Ridgeline and there is simply no comparison. The Navigation system, moonroof and plush back seat make the Dakota a dinosaur whos time has passed.

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  Quality control - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By david asher - September 26 - 7:24 am

  I have no power to the trailing wire harness. I cannot believe that a quality control issue has come up straight from the factory. This truck should never been sold without a thorough check of all the systems. The dealer is ordering a wiring harness but this issue should never had been allowed to leave the dealership or the factory for that matter. Not very happy and will consider another brand in the future