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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  Groundbreaking Utility Vehicle - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By hdrinc - July 6 - 10:10 am

  Perfect vehicle for the gentleman trucker! Love the ride for everyday commuting - quiet and solid, like the outstanding Pilot that shares the garage with our new Ridgeline. Ideal for Saturday trips to Home Depot hauling landscape materials or taking furniture down to Goodwill. Great design, rugged good looks and incredible functionality (in-cab trunk compartment makes this one). Drive it and youll want one! The Amazon Green is especially sharp.

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  Rush to Market - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By S. Zimney - July 4 - 11:29 pm

  The interior on the prior models of the Ridgeline are much better. I own an older model Ridgeline and have been waiting since 2015 for the newer version. Initially told it was coming in Jan of 2017. It came out sooner but the interior is a big disappointment. It looks as if they put in a Honda Odessy front panel so they could get it to market. I wont buy this current version. Someone told me Ford is coming out with a truck with a trunk and tailgate like Hondas. I will have to check it out. Maybe their interior is better.

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  Great features and driving - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Kevin Davies - July 1 - 8:05 pm

  The truck has great visibility, features, handling, and comfort. It combines the feel of driving an SUV or crossover, with a bed. If I wanted a semi, Id buy one. So, the people that feel that its not a real truck - whatever, enjoy your 3 mpg and stepladder mounted to the side. You haul the same amount as I do in all likelihood... but yes, I might want something larger if I was towing a yacht or megacamper, or concrete, or something. Then, consider a megatruck.

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  Best Riding Truck Ever - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Paul - June 29 - 2:42 pm

  Have owned numerous pickups over the years. Most recently an 03 Tacoma for 14 years until totaled. New Tacomas are nice but the ride leaves a lot to be desired. After researching and test driving the Ridgeline I was sold. Bought it for $2874 under listwith only a CD player added. I would recommend buying the rubber mats on Amazon. Genuine Honda $68 less than dealer. 5 days after picking it up left on a trip from Ct to Sc. Total of 2200 miles driven, what a pleasure. My wife couldnt believe the ride quality. Averaged 24.6 combined for the trip. I know of the complaints about the premium info center but my model is older with knobs. Does everything I want. I never took the Tacoma off road nor towed with it. The Ridgeline is a perfect fit for what I need a pickup for. Weekly runs to the recycling center with occasional trips to HD or the garden center. This is the type of vehicle most pickup truck owners actually need.

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  Hignly Recommended - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By DPS - June 20 - 12:30 pm

  This is a GREAT vehicle. I shopped, compared, and test drove the Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota, and Dodge competitors. This vehicle is in a class by itself and clearly better than the competition. After 5,500 miles and six months I can report NO PROBLEMS and no complaints. Mileage is 18-19 local, 21-23 highway, and 13 towing my pontoon boat or camper. It is extermely well designed and user- friendly. Cargo capacity and hauling are particlarly notable - locking weathertite in-bed trunk, flip-up split rear seats, flexible console configurations, etc. Solid feeling driving driving dynamics have to be experienced to be appreciated. Would I buy it again? - You bet! Recommend it to others? - I do!

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  Ridgeline Owner - 2007 Honda Ridgeline
  By Anthro - June 7 - 4:53 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in late 2005 due to its extensive safety features and fuel economy within the price point. I have now put less than 2K miles on it and am ready to sell. Why? Gas mileage running 12-13 mpg rather than the 16-21. Blind spots make the vehicle difficult and dangerous to drive for a petite driver. Significant blind spots occur in right rear due design and rear headrest configuation. The headrest design should be abolished. The curvature forward makes it very uncomfortable and many people turn them around defeating the purpose. Impossible to judge distance when backing up due to blind spots.

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  Ditto - 2017 Honda Ridgeline
  By Jim - June 5 - 3:57 pm

  I have to echo most of the other glowing reviews that drivers of the 17 Ridgeline are saying. Most clever truck on the market by far. Only vehicle Ive ever owned where people in parking lots come up and ask "what kind of truck is that, it looks great" or "I saw you open the trunk in the bed, that is so cool!" Ride is great, seats are comfortable, and gas mileage is impressive. I would have only 2 minor complaints: 1) rear doors dont open wide enough. Theres lots of space in the back with the seats folded up but the doors dont open wide enough to put a single large item in back, even though theres enough room inside. 2) the display is disappointing, hard to navigate and read, especially while driving. Not intuitive at all. Also, the blue tooth voice operation is sketchy and unreliable, not nearly as good as my 08 Camry. But again, these are MINOR compared to the overall greatness of the rest of the truck. Considered Tacoma, Frontier, and Canyon, but waited to buy until the 17 Ridgeline was available. So glad I did and intend to keep it for a long, long time.

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  Honda Ridgeline - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By christene portelli - May 27 - 6:53 am

  The Ridgeline is fantastic!! It gets great gas mileage, has everything Im looking for in features, reliability, handling and comfort. My job as a pediatric home health nurse is demanding, and this truck has made a huge difference in my comfort level. This is also my first Honda, and certainly not the last! Above all, it’s a Honda!

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  Honda has outdone themselves this time. - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By pourvex - May 23 - 12:33 pm

  I purchased a new Ridgeline about 6 mounths ago, I was one of the first to own one in Minnesota, My only regret is that they didnt make this truck years ago. I traded in my 04 Trailblazer on it and there is no comparison. You couldnt give me another GM product. This Ridgeline is made with quality right from the start. You can feel it when you drive it, and see it when you look at it. It is a lot of fun to drive, gets great mileage (21 mpg highway) and turns heads too. I could not even begin to describe this work of art in only 300 characters. I would not hesitate to recommend this vehicle to my freinds.

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  Ridgeline Fills the Void - 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  By charlie1960 - May 18 - 1:43 am

  Got my RTS May 30,loved every second since. Considered the Dodge Dakota 4- door...then I saw the Ridgeline. Primary concern with a truck was what to do with luggage if the cab was filled with people. When the salesman showed me the under-bed trunk, I was sold. Then came the test drive. I was pleasently surprised, it drives/rides better than any truck I have ever driven. It rides and handles like the RX300 and is very quiet and solid. The storage features, under/bed trunk, 2- way tailgate are incredible. I recommend it for the person that needs a truck but doesnt want a "TRUCK." Nice enough to go out wearing a tux, tough enough for the hauling. My 8-yr old daughter thinks its really cool!