Honda Ridgeline 2026 : I’ve been following Honda trucks for years, and the 2026 Ridgeline feels like that moment when your reliable old buddy shows up with a fresh haircut and some new muscle.
It’s not a full redesign like some speculated, but smart tweaks keep it punching above its weight in the midsize pickup ring.
Exterior Evolution: Tougher Without Trying Too Hard
Walk around this Sonic Gray Pearl RTL, and you notice the stance right away—about 17.5 feet long with a 10.5-foot wheelbase that plants it firmly on the road.
The stamped “RIDGELINE” on the tailgate pops, dual exhaust tips hint at some growl, and those 245/60R18 Firestone Destination tires give it a planted look without screaming “off-roader wannabe.”
New colors steal the show: TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green Metallic looks killer in sunlight, while Black Edition gets an optional black roof for that two-tone vibe.
No massive grille overhaul, but the LED headlights slice through dusk like butter, and the factory bed liner plus dual-action tailgate make it practical from the jump.
It’s wider than rivals by half a foot inside, measuring 6.5 feet across, which translates to stability on highways without feeling like a boat in parking lots. Ground clearance sits at 7.6 inches—not Baja-ready, but enough for gravel drives and light trails.
Powertrain Punch: V6 Heart Still Beats Strong
Pop the hood, and there’s the 3.5-liter V6, direct-injected with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic (some whispers of 10-speed in higher trims).
It’s smooth, with cylinder deactivation for efficiency, though the timing belt needs watching every 100,000 miles.
In real-world pulls, it hits 0-60 in about 7.3 seconds on GPS—even at 2,800 feet altitude—feeling punchy above 4,000 RPM where VTEC wakes up.
Towing caps at 5,000 pounds, payload hits an impressive 1,477 pounds (beating some body-on-frame trucks), and that i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD keeps it glued in corners.
Fuel sipping? Expect 18 city/24 highway MPG from the 19.5-gallon tank, stretching to 468 miles on a fill-up if you’re gentle. No hybrid yet, despite rumors, but that V6 feels more alive than turbo fours in rivals.
Interior Smarts: SUV Comfort in Truck Clothes
Slide inside, and it’s like Honda built a Pilot but gave it a bed—spacious, with leather heated/power front seats, tri-zone climate, and a moonroof standard on RTL.
The 9-inch touchscreen runs wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto flawlessly, and physical HVAC knobs keep gloves happy.
Rear seats? 60/40 split, with massive under-seat storage and vents—fits full-size adults at 5’11” with knee room to spare.
Door panels have cupholders (yes, really), and the cabin’s whisper-quiet thanks to solid insulation. Blind-spot mirrors, adaptive cruise, and lane-keep work seamlessly.
One quirk: no transmission tunnel storage, but the center console swallows phones and snacks. It’s the truck for families who haul, not just hardhats.
Bed and Utility: Clever Wins Over Massive
The 5-foot bed measures 64 inches long, 50-60 inches wide between wells, with 7 cubic feet in the lockable in-bed trunk—perfect for hiding tools or groceries from prying eyes. Dual tailgate drops or swings sideways, and tie-downs everywhere make securing loads a breeze.
Payload shines here; load 500 pounds with five aboard and it shrugs. Tow hooks and trailer package on higher trims add versatility. Compared to Tacoma or Ranger, it’s less “extreme” but way more usable daily.
Tech and Safety: Honda Sensing Shines
Honda Sensing suite is standard: collision mitigation braking, road departure warning, plus traffic jam assist on RTL.
The multi-angle rearview camera nails tight spots, and LED headlights with auto high-beams cut night drives stress.
Infotainment’s responsive, with 5.1 surround speakers filling the cab nicely—not Bose, but no tinny complaints. Wireless charging and USBs galore keep gadgets happy.
It’s a five-star NHTSA crash-rated unibody champ—crumples right, unlike rigid frames that shove energy inside.
Trims and Pricing: Value Stacked High
Starts at $40,000 for Sport, RTL like this tester at $44,000 (plus $455 paint), up to $50k Black Edition. TrailSport adds all-terrain tires, skid plates for $47k-ish. All AWD, crew cab only—keeps it simple.
Accessories like HPD 18-inch black wheels tempt upgrades. At these prices, it’s a steal versus loaded Rangers or Colorados.
Driving Feel: Smooth Operator with Grit
Behind the wheel, it’s SUV-refined—composed corners, light steering, no wallow. Sport mode sharpens throttle, Econ dulls it for efficiency. Brakes bite firm, ride swallows bumps without floatiness.
Highway merges? Effortless. City? Maneuverable. It’s the truck that doesn’t remind you it’s a truck—until you need it to be.
Who It’s For: Everyday Heroes Unite
If you’re towing boats occasionally, hauling Home Depot runs, or ferrying kids with gear, this nails it. Hardcore rock-crawlers? Look elsewhere. But for 90% of buyers, it’s smarter than “tough guy” poses.
Honda Ridgeline 2026
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline proves you don’t need body-on-frame drama for real work—it’s reliable, safe, and fun in ways rivals chase.
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Honda’s 20-year evolution shines; test drive one before dismissing it. Your back (and wallet) will thank you.