2021 Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize pickup truck that takes a different approach from most rivals: instead of body-on-frame construction, it uses a unibody platform shared with Honda's larger crossovers. Sold in the US since the 2006 model year (with a hiatus for 2015-2016), it comes exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a roughly five-foot bed, and every version has been powered by a 3.5-liter V6. Signature features include a lockable In-Bed Trunk under the bed floor and a dual-action tailgate that swings sideways or folds down.

The Ridgeline's unibody design trades some heavy-duty towing and off-road capability for a smoother ride, more composed handling, and a quieter cabin than most traditional midsize trucks, along with a flat-floored back seat and clever storage. It suits shoppers who want pickup utility for everyday hauling, home projects, and light towing rather than maximum trailer ratings or rock crawling. It won North American Truck of the Year for both 2006 and 2017, and it competes with the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2021 model: Reintroduced for 2017 on the platform of the third-generation Pilot, the second Ridgeline adopted smoother styling, a roomier cabin, and a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6; front-wheel drive was offered for the first time, with torque-vectoring i-VTM4 AWD optional. A 9-speed automatic replaced the 6-speed for 2020, and a 2021 facelift brought more rugged truck-like front styling and made AWD standard on all trims. A TrailSport trim with all-terrain tires joined the lineup for 2024, and this generation continues through the 2026 model year.