As the compact and midsize truck markets heat up again, it’s time to take a look at the best year for Honda’s Ridgeline.
The pickup truck market has always been incredibly competitive. It’s reported that Ford sells an average of just over 100 F-150 pickup trucks per hour. That’s an incredible number to wrap your brain around, but it’s also important to wonder how often a full-size truck actually gets used to its full potential. It was clear that Honda had that in mind when they created the Ridgeline midsize pickup truck.
Originally launched in 2006, the Ridgeline is built off of a unibody platform. That is in stark contrast to the body-on-frame full-size pickups that most people are used to.
Early criticisms from truck purists claimed that the Ridgeline was just built off of a modified minivan platform. While that’s not entirely true, the Ridgeline does have more in common with Honda’s Odyssey, than the average Ford F-150.
So, does that mean the Ridgeline is too weak to compete in the truck market? Or did Honda find a magic concoction with the Ridgeline that is just “truck enough” for most buyer’s needs?
Let’s take a quick tour through its two generations and find out the best year of the Honda Ridgeline.
Honda Ridgeline First Generation (2006-2014)
The first-generation Ridgeline definitely made waves in the automotive market. While rivals Toyota and Nissan had already developed their own trucks, Honda was mostly known for passenger cars and motorcycles. That changed in 2004 when Honda unveiled the Honda’s Sport Utility Truck Concept.
The production Ridgeline stayed true to that concept when it went on sale for 2006. It came with a five-foot bed that could be extended to 6.5 feet with the tailgate down. So, it was big enough to haul bikes, motorcycles, and other active lifestyle items.
The overall feel of the interior is definitely more car-like, with more of a focus on driver comfort than a lot of other trucks had at the time. You can even get a Ridgeline in front-wheel-drive (or optional all-wheel-drive) which flies in the face of traditional trucks.
Also, despite some of the early criticisms, the first-generation Ridgeline only shared a small percentage of its parts with other Hondas.
In order to select the best Honda Ridgeline model year, we need to take a quick stroll through the Ridgeline’s various model years. Once we track the changes and price ranges of Honda’s pickup, we’ll pick a winner.
2006 Honda Ridgeline
The first-ever 2006 Ridgeline came with some firsts, including an in-bed “trunk.” Truck owners typically have to choose between stowing their items loose and unsecured in the bed, or keeping things in the cab for safekeeping.
The Ridgeline features a cool fix to that issue, with an 8.5 cubic foot locking trunk built into the bed.
The 2006 Ridgeline is powered by a 3.5-liter single-overhead-cam V6 engine making 255 horsepower and 252 lb.-ft. of torque.
Honda kept things simple with a single bed size, and a sole crew cab layout. You can choose from three well-equipped trim levels: base RT, midlevel RTS, and leather-lined RTL. Prices range from $8,688 – $11,985 (Kelley Blue Book used fair market range).
2007 Honda Ridgeline
For 2007, Honda followed up with a new RTX trim level, and the RTL trim level now has a standard sunroof. Oddly enough, power drops from 255 horsepower to 247 horsepower. Prices range from $9,269 – $13,128.
2008 Honda Ridgeline
New items for 2008 included updates to the cloth fabric material, and the RTS and RTL models get new machine-finish alloy wheels. Prices range from $9,077-$13,775.
2009 Honda Ridgeline
Highlights for the 2009 model year include a standard trailer hitch on all trim levels, a key ingredient for any truck. Power increases slightly to 250 horsepower.
Top-spec RTL models that are now equipped with the navigation system that trim now has Bluetooth and a backup camera. Honda also added active front-seat head restraints on all models. Prices range from $10,101-$15,647.
2010 Honda Ridgeline
For the 2010 model year, the Ridgeline soldiered on unchanged, save for a few new color options. Trim levels stayed consistent with RT, RTS, and RTL. Prices range from $11,226-$16,493.
2011 Honda Ridgeline
Likewise, there were no major changes for the 2011 model year. Prices range from $10,689-$16,368.
2012 Honda Ridgeline
However, in 2012, the Ridgeline features got a refreshed front end, including a new grille design and several aerodynamic improvements. Engine updates even added a whole +1 mpg.
The Sport trim level is new for 2012 and delivers some cool features like a trim-specific black grille, matching 18-inch black alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, plus lighting upgrades including foglights and black headlight and taillight housings. It slots in between the RT and RTS trims, while the RTL remains the top dog in the lineup. Prices range from $13,102-$19,441.
2013 Honda Ridgeline
For the 2013 model year, the Ridgeline got a standard rearview camera on all trim levels. Prices range from $15,340-$20,638.
2014 Honda Ridgeline
2014 was the final model year of the first generation and the Ridgeline got a new top-spec Special Edition (SE) trim level that was added above the RTL trim. The SE came with everything from the RTL, plus trim-specific 18-inch wheels, unique exterior badging,
SE interior trim, plus you get a navigation system with voice recognition capability and Bluetooth connectivity. Prices range from $18,932-$25,540.
So, the first-generation Ridgeline established itself as the non-truck-like truck. It ranges in price from just over $9,000 for a base 2006 to over $25,500 for a top-spec SE trim from 2014, and there are a ton of features and options available across those years, as well as the model years in between.
Honda Ridgeline Second Generation (2017-Present)
After an absence on the market for the 2015 and 2016 model years, Honda took a big step forward with the updated second-generation Ridgeline for 2017. As good as the original was, it was derided for being a bit too slab-sided and not particularly attractive.
For the second-generation Ridgeline, Honda grafted a familiar corporate face onto their pickup truck. It is certainly sleeker and more aerodynamic, and the changes didn’t stop on the outside.
It is powered by a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. Once again it has the in-bed trunk for storing your valuables while out on a camping trip, or just a trip to the shops.
Honda also added a cool dual-action tailgate, and an in-bed audio system, which should both help make the next tailgating event even more fun. The updated Ridgeline is larger and more capable as well, Honda updated several key components to beef up its off-road capabilities, as well as its towing capacities (5,000 pounds). Let’s take a quick look at each model year before we determine the best year of the Honda Ridgeline.
2017 Honda Ridgeline
The 2017 update for the Ridgeline was quite substantial. There are now seven trim levels including RT, RTS, Sport, RTL, RTL-T, RTL-E, and the Black Edition.
Even the base 2017 RT is well-equipped, with standard features like a tow hitch, 18-inch alloy wheels, push-button start, and a power lock system that also includes the tailgate.
Inside, you’ll get a 4.2-inch driver information screen, Bluetooth, a seven-speaker sound system, and a five-inch infotainment touchscreen that displays the rearview camera. Prices range from $23,329-$34,972.
2018 Honda Ridgeline
After the all-new Ridgeline debut the previous year, there were only minimal exterior color choice changes for 2018. Prices range from $25,824 –$36,748.
2019 Honda Ridgeline
For the 2019 model year, Honda updated several trim levels. The RT, Sport, and RTL trims now include another USB port (2 total). Additionally, Honda added a power sliding rear window, as well as a moonroof, to the RTL and RTL-T trim levels. Prices range from $26,809-$41,642.
2020 Honda Ridgeline
New for 2020 was an updated nine-speed automatics transmission (replacing the six-speed) as well as the “Honda Sensing” package which became standard across all trim levels. Trim levels were simplified down to the new base model Sport, as well as the RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition trims. Prices range from $33,900-$43,520.
2021 Honda Ridgeline
After making the Ridgeline a bit more SUV-like, Honda changed course for 2021, adding new sheet metal to the front to actually make it look more truck-like. There is also a new package available, the Ridgeline HPD (Honda Performance Development), which makes the Ridgeline look a bit tougher as well. You can add it to all four trim levels, and you’ll get a unique grille, black wheel arch cladding, some super-cool bronze-painted wheels, and HPD decals on the side of the truck.
Inside, Honda updated some of the materials and added a volume knob back to the infotainment system at customer’s request. Prices range from $36,490-$43,920.
The second-generation Ridgeline continues to impress, and with prices starting just over $23,000 for a 2017 model, there is a lot to love. Obviously, when you get into the most recent iterations, the price jumps considerably.
Which Honda Ridgeline Model Year is the Best?
So, we’ve come to the end of our virtual tour through the various generations and model years of the Honda Ridgeline. You’ll notice that the Ridgeline has gone through a bit of an identity crisis. It needs to be “truck-like enough” for hardcore truck buyers while being “car-like enough” for Honda buyers who want, or need, the practicality of a truck bed.
The styling has gone from blocky to sleek, and now it seems to be heading back the other direction. The Ridgeline isn’t as off-road-capable as some larger trucks, and its 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and around 1,500 pounds of payload capacity aren’t exactly tops in the truck world.
However, if you need the practicality of a truck, but want a comfortable, more economical option, the Ridgeline is fantastic.
That brings us to the winner, there can be only one, and it is the 2017 Honda Ridgeline. If you aren’t looking to spend close to $34,000 to $37,000 or more for a base 2019 or 2020, you can still get a ton of great stuff on the 2017 model at a much cheaper price. It is the first of the newest generation Ridgeline, with new exterior and interior styling.
Plus, with mostly the same powertrain as the newer Honda trucks, you’ll get a similar on-road driving experience. Regardless of which Ridgeline you choose, you’ll get a lot for your money.
Photos: Honda