The Honda Ridgeline has had anything but smooth sailing since its debut 2 decades ago. That’s not because it’s not a good vehicle (it’s great, actually), but because people in America have historically not considered it a real pickup truck.
Sadly, nobody is singing country songs about their Ridgeline, but Honda is looking to change that with the forthcoming third generation, which looks decidedly truck-like in the teaser image it released on Thursday.
Based on the teaser image, which leaves a lot to the imagination (hence teaser), the new Ridgeline will be the most trad-truck one yet. With its more squared-off profile, it’s downright F-150-like. Of course, it’s still a Honda, so expecting truck-like features like body-on-frame construction or massive tow ratings is likely to lead to disappointment.
That said, expecting the kind of considerate, clever engineering that Honda has given us in the previous generations is a pretty sure bet. The Ridgeline’s dual-swing tailgate and under-bed storage compartments are way, way too useful not to include again. One thing we wouldn’t mind seeing disappear is the thirsty, naturally aspirated V6 engine in the current model, but we won’t hold our breath for that one.
Ridgeline Will Be U.S.–Made
The only other thing we currently know about the third-gen Ridgeline is that it’s an all-American effort. Honda confirmed that it’s being styled in Southern California, engineered in Ohio, and built at Honda’s Alabama plant, which also builds the Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot. Plenty of Fords, RAMs, and GM trucks aren’t built in the U.S., so the fact that Honda is choosing to do so is cool, if not revolutionary.
To get ready for the new Ridgeline, Honda is killing production of the 2026 model later this year. This may or may not be significant, given that Honda hasn’t offered a timeline for the new one’s debut, leaving it unclear when we might see it in dealers. What does this mean for you, the consumer? Buy one now if you want one, because there may not be a new Ridgeline for a little while.
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