The Next-Gen Honda Ridgeline Deserves Its Day in the Sun

• A rugged new platform and upgraded AWD system borrowed from the Passport could set the stage for Ridgeline’s long-overdue transformation.

• Honda needs to debut a hybrid or PHEV powertrain in the next Ridgeline, then spread it brand-wide.

• The current Ridgeline TrailSport proves Honda’s pickup has the potential to challenge rivals off the beaten path.

The Honda Ridgeline has always been a bit of an oddball in the pickup truck world, and that’s not a bad thing. Truth be told, Honda’s something of a pro at building oddballs. Think Element, Crosstour, CR-Z, first-gen Insight and Acura ZDX… Honda’s pickup is arguably its best off-the-wall effort of them all.

Making its first introduction in 2005, the Ridgeline broke all the rules. Instead of a traditional body-on-frame design, it used a unibody platform shared with the Pilot SUV. It featured independent rear suspension, a weather-sealed in-bed trunk (brunk?) and a dual-action tailgate that still has no equal unless you own a 30-year-old+ American station wagon. These innovations earned it praise from critics and loyalty from owners, but it struggled to win over traditional truck buyers.

The second-generation Ridgeline arrived in 2017, more conservative in styling but still packed with smart engineering. It improved ride quality, interior space, and towing ability, while retaining its unique identity. Yet despite its many strengths, it has never quite achieved the recognition it deserves—overshadowed by more rugged, traditional offerings like the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and Ford Ranger. But now, with small and midsize trucks in high demand, the Ridgeline may be poised for a long-overdue breakout.

The moment has come for Honda to take the oddball to the next level

Built on the Back of a New Off-Road Renaissance

If the completely reimagined 2026 Honda Passport is any indication, the next-generation Ridgeline should be in for a serious glow-up. The new Passport TrailSport now rides on a heavily updated light-truck platform with a stiffer structure, wider track, longer wheelbase, and significantly better off-road geometry. A new i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system delivers quicker, more precise torque vectoring, while an off-road-tuned suspension and thick steel skid plates boost trail confidence. There’s even a new TrailWatch camera system with four exterior views.

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These upgrades need to have huge implications for the next Ridgeline, which shares its bones with the Passport and Pilot. If Honda transfers this new platform tech to the Ridgeline, it could finally deliver the kind of off-road credibility and mechanical swagger that compact-midsize truck buyers demand. Let’s remember that even if it could, it doesn’t mean it will; it just needs to look the part.

Imagine a 2027 or 2028 Ridgeline TrailSport with true approach/departure angles, beefy recovery points, wheel flares, and all-terrain tires. It’ll no longer be a lifestyle truck, but a legit backcountry contender. They don’t all have to be TrailSports, but Honda could keep it real simple.

Time to Electrify the Truck

Beyond capability, the real opportunity for the next Ridgeline is under the hood. The current 3.5L V6 is smooth and capable, with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, but the time has come for electrification. Honda could use the Ridgeline to debut a new powertrain that trickles down to the Passport, Pilot, and even Odyssey.

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A hybrid or plug-in hybrid makes the most sense. Honda might take the 2.0L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder from the Accord Hybrid and give it a performance twist by adding a turbocharger and pushing output north of 275 hp and 325 lb-ft. That would not only exceed the current V6’s torque, but also offer better fuel economy and appeal to buyers in search of efficient utility.

Another possibility? Electrifying the V6 itself. Add a hybrid system for instant low-end torque, better off-line towing capability, and smoother power delivery. Either way, a next-gen Ridgeline with a forward-looking electrified powertrain would put Honda right where it needs to be: in the game.

The 2025 Ridgeline TrailSport

A short while ago, I drove the 2025 Ridgeline TrailSport, and it’s clear Honda has already laid the groundwork. The current TrailSport gets all-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and a retuned suspension with improved articulation all backed by the i-VTM4 torque-vectoring AWD system. While no off-roading was done with the Ridgeline other than negotiating still cratered greater Montreal roads, the truck’s refinement remains impressive.

The TrailSport’s interior is another high point, with orange contrast stitching, a new touchscreen, updated gauge cluster, and wider center console. But most important? This TrailSport drives like a Ridgeline should. It’s comfortable, confident, and uniquely Honda. It’s just rugged enough to prove that the platform has more to give.

A Platform for Honda’s Truck Future

The Ridgeline has always been a niche player, but that niche is expanding. Buyers crave comfort, versatility, and real-world capability, and a next-gen Ridgeline riding on the new Passport’s architecture and powered by a forward-looking hybrid powertrain could finally take its place in the spotlight.

Keeping the “brunk” is a must, while increasing the bed’s length or even depth isn’t. The real danger is pricing. The base Sport with fees retails for almost $55,000, while the as-tested Diffused Sky Blue TrailSport is nearly $58,500 with fees. With a hybrid powertrain, the fear is that a $65,000 price tag is a very real possibility. However, in a world where a hybrid Toyota Tacoma begins at close to $68,000 (!!), the question is: Why worry about price?

This is Honda’s chance to redefine the Ridgeline and give it the chops it needs to increase its footprint in the segment. The Ridgeline has the legacy, the engineering, and some momentum. All it needs now is its moment. And that moment might just be now.