Overview: Honda Ridgeline
The smart truck for people who don't need a 'truck' truck.
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline takes a fundamentally different approach to mid-size pickups: it's built on the Pilot's unibody platform rather than a body-on-frame architecture. The result is a truck that rides better, handles better, and is far quieter than rivals like the Toyota Tacoma or Ford Ranger. The trade-off: it has lower towing and payload limits, and isn't as off-road capable. But for the millions of pickup buyers who use their trucks primarily for hauling DIY supplies and occasional towing, the Ridgeline is the smartest pickup choice on the market.
Available Trim Levels & Pricing
| Trim | MSRP | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | $41,000 | AWD standard 8-inch display Heated seats |
| RTL | $43,500 | Leather Sunroof Wireless charging |
| TrailSport | $46,300 | All-terrain tires Skid plates Tuned suspension |
| Black Edition | $48,400 | Black exterior accents Heated/ventilated leather Premium audio |
Complete Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 280 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | i-VTM4 AWD (Standard) |
| Fuel Economy | 18 city / 24 hwy / 21 combined |
| Seating | 5 passengers |
| Cargo Space | 33.9 cu ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs |
| Length × Width × Height | 210.2" × 78.6" × 70.8" |
| Wheelbase | 125.2" |
| Curb Weight | 4,515 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 19.5 gal |
| Ground Clearance | 7.6" |
✓ Pros
- Best on-road ride and handling of any pickup
- Standard AWD
- Watertight in-bed trunk
- Dual-action tailgate (drops or swings)
- Quieter cabin than body-on-frame rivals
✗ Cons
- Lower tow/payload than body-on-frame rivals
- No diesel or hybrid option
- Limited off-road capability vs Tacoma TRD Pro
Standard Features
- i-VTM4 AWD
- Honda Sensing 360
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Heated front seats
- Dual-action tailgate
- In-bed trunk
Available Optional Features
- All-terrain tires (TrailSport)
- Skid plates (TrailSport)
- Premium 8-speaker audio
- Heated/ventilated leather
- Power moonroof
- Truck-bed audio system
How It Compares to Competitors
The Ridgeline competes with the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and Nissan Frontier. The Ridgeline is the only unibody mid-size pickup, which gives it a real on-road ride advantage. The Tacoma offers better resale and more off-road capability; the Ranger offers more tow capacity. For the right buyer, the Ridgeline is genuinely the best truck.
Expert Review
We drove the Ridgeline TrailSport across 1,500 miles of mixed roads and came away convinced: this is the most comfortable mid-size pickup. The dual-action tailgate is genius, the in-bed trunk has saved us from rain on three occasions, and Honda's AWD system is plenty capable for most owners.
Photo Gallery
