Honda Ridgeline Through the Years

Take a look at how comfort and practicality have been a continued focus through nearly two decades of Honda Ridgeline generations.

A Well-Rounded Truck to Serve All Customers 

The Honda Ridgeline will celebrate a 20-year anniversary if it continues on for just a few more model years. Though it’s technically only in its second generation, through the years the Honda Ridgeline has gone through several facelifts and numerous updates. Despite not being a higher-powered, heavy duty workman’s truck, the mid-sized Ridgeline found a spot in the segment by delivering a solid mix of truck capability, towing performance, comfort, and space. The unibody frame makes it a little more refined than other midsize trucks. Throwing in Honda‘s reputation of value and innovation, even more people took notice. We know where the Ridgeline is currently at, but let’s take a look at where it started and take a trip through the years down memory lane.

First Generation (2006-2016)

2006 Honda Ridgeline – hondanews.com |  Shop Honda Ridgeline on Carsforsale.com

• The Honda Ridgeline was first introduced in March 2005 as a 2006 model year.
• Standard features on all Ridgeline models included a 3.5-liter 247-horsepower VTEC V-6 engine, a 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission, an advanced Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive system; keyless entry, and an automatic heated wiper zone.
• The initial Honda Ridgeline debuted with AWD, more suited for snow, sand, or dirt than rocky trailways.

• The 2006 Honda Ridgeline earned the 2006 “North American Truck of the Year” award, given by a group of 49 international automotive journalists from United States and Canada.
• That was the first win for Honda in the category.
• The 2006 Ridgeline was the first 4-door pickup to earn a 5-star rating on front and side impact crash tests performed by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

• A RTX trim with a MSRP of $28,300 was introduced for the 2007 Ridgeline models.
• Leather upholstery, XM Satellite radio, and heated front seats were some of the standard features on the RTL trim.
• Reviews of the 2008 Honda Ridgeline highlighted lots of room for passengers, versatility, and carlike handling.

• By 2008, the dual-action tailgate and in-the-bed trunk were favorite features of Ridgeline owners.
• A trailer hitch became standard across all 2009 Honda Ridgelines.
• The same V6 engine was used for the 2009 Honda Ridgeline, but it was modified to boost the output up to 250 horsepower.
• The 2011 Honda Ridgeline had a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds and a half-ton payload rating.

• It also featured a redesigned grille and a new Honda Ridgeline Sport trim.
• A rearview camera became standard on all trim levels of the 2013 Honda Ridgeline.
• The 2013 Honda Ridgeline started at $29,3501.
• A 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 engine produced 250 horsepower at 5,700 rpm with 247 lb-ft. of torque.

• Sales of the Honda Ridgeline rose 29% in 2013.
• Honda introduced a 2014 Honda Ridgeline Special Edition model, but the first generation was scheduled to conclude in mid-2014.
• A sketch of the next generation of the Honda Ridgeline was previewed on February 12 at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show.
• The Ridgeline had a two-year gap, not releasing a new model until 2017.

Second Generation (2017-Present)

• A completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 Honda Ridgeline introduced an ultra-high-strength steering wheel, LED taillights, and satellite navigation.
• Favorite features like the dual action tailgate and in-bed trunk were kept.
• Honda used a new 3.5-liter V6 and paired it with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
• AWD was kept for the second generation 2017 Ridgeline, but, for the first time, two-wheel-drive was also an option.

• The 2017 Honda Ridgeline was named the 2017 North American Truck of the Year.
• It was also the first and only pickup to earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, when equipped with available front crash prevention system and LED headlights.
• Honda sold 54,749 Ridgeline models in 2017.
• For the 2018 Honda Ridgeline, new colors were added to the Sport trim: White Diamond Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic.

• Otherwise, the 2018 Honda Ridgeline remained mostly unchanged.
• In 2019, a group of Honda engineers took a 2018 Ridgeline to compete in the all-women 2019 Rebelle Rally off-road navigation event.
• All trims of the 2019 Honda Ridgeline get a second USB port.
• The RTL and RTL-T trims also get a power sunroof and power-sliding rear window.

• The refreshed 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrived at dealerships starting Dec. 16, 2019.
• Updates on 2020 models included: a standard 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Honda Sensing safety and driver-assist technologies.
• The Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition were the four available trims on a 2020 Honda Ridgeline.
• A 8” touchscreen replaced the 5” non-touch infotainment screen on all 2020 Honda Ridgeline trims.

• 2021 Honda Ridgeline models were given physical tuning and volume knobs as part of an upgraded infotainment system.
• Exterior styling was refreshed with new front fenders to highlight a squared-off nose, updated LED headlights, and broad side vents up front to route air through the bumper, around the front tires and wheels.
• The body color was extended farther down the front bumper, and a skid plate was added.
• We named the 2021 Honda Ridgeline as one of the Best Mid-Sized Trucks for 2021.

• 2022 Honda Ridgeline models have a MSRP of $36,890.
• The 2022 Honda Ridgeline also features a newly optional Sonic Gray Pearl exterior paint.
• The four trim levels on a 2022 Ridgeline continue to be the: Sport, RTL, RTL-E, and Black Edition.
• A 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 horsepower and puts out 262 lb.-ft of torque.

2022 Honda Ridgeline – hondanews.com |  Shop Honda Ridgeline on Carsforsale.com

• We put the 2022 model against the competition in Head-to-Head: 2022 GMC Canyon vs Honda Ridgeline.
• No release date has been set for the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, but there aren’t any major changes expected.
• 2023 models are expected to have a MSRP of about $38,000.
• As we await more details on the 2023 Honda Ridgeline, you can look at our comparison: New vs Used: Honda Ridgeline.

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