It’s remarkable that, after 20 years, Honda remains the only automaker selling a unibody mid-size pickup truck in the U.S. Clearly, there’s a market for it. One that I found myself squarely within after driving a 2026 Ridgeline TrailSport for a week.
My Kind Of Pickup Truck
Pickup trucks are cool, but are generally overkill pour moi. My towing needs don’t exceed an occasional trailer of yard debris to the recycling center, and I value a comfy ride - if only to keep my family of 5 content. The Ridgeline manages both with ease and offers a heaping dollop of Honda’s thoughtfully designed features.
Honda says the unibody construction of the Ridgeline consists of nearly 50% high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel aimed at rigidity. It works, as evidenced by pothole impacts and washboard road drives that utterly eliminate the side-to-side skating sensation found on traditional pickups with a solid rear axle and leaf springs. (see Chevy Colorado).
Tremendous Cargo Flexibility
This does translate to less towing capacity - 5,000 for the Ridgeline vs. 7,700 for the Colorado - but yields dividends in the ride quality department. Payload comes in around 1,500 pounds in the Honda (up to 2,000 in the Chevy), but the Ridgeline goes bananas with cargo bed flexibility.
Access is granted via a traditional fold-down (undamped) tailgate, or by swinging the gate open à la 1985 Buick station wagon. Once in, you’ll find a composite bed that skips the need for a third-party bedliner solution as it appears to be made from the stuff.
Built-In Dog Washing Station
Transporting some old bikes, I was happy to find tie-down points at all four corners, top and bottom, that made securing the cargo straightforward. But it was the Ridgeline’s in-bed cargo bay that left me most impressed. This is nothing new; I’ve just never had the chance to cruise around in Honda’s pickup until now.
Though the 7 cubic foot volume measurement of this space may sound slight, it’s not. Two carry-on bags fit in there with ease. It’s watertight from the outside and has a built-in drain plug should you choose to fill it up with ice for tailgating or smelly wetsuits post-surf session.
Tyler and I tested this use case out and were pleased to find that the Ridgeline’s lockable bed bin made for a great wetsuit washing station. In our estimation, it would also be well-suited to a dog washing station - if you could get your furry beast to hop in.
The wheel well housings are nearly flat in the bed, and the width is more than 48” between them in any case. Open up the back doors, and this cargo flexibility continues with flip-up seats. In this configuration, we stowed a bulky beach cruiser bicycle, but you could clearly stack it high with boxes, suitcases, and the like.
Light On Off-Roading Capability
If you plan to take your Ridgeline off-road, know that the TrailSport doesn’t really add much in the way of rough road upgrades. Honda says the suspension has been specially tuned for trails and the wheels are shod with all-terrain rubber, but that’s about it.
I do like the orange highlights exclusive to TrailSport variants, and if Ash Green Metallic paint is your jam, it is only offered on these particular Ridgelines. Ground clearance stays the same as standard models at 7.6”, which is nearly 2” shy of what a Subaru Outback Wilderness offers.
A Pleasantly Simple Cabin
Inside, the Ridgeline is basic and functional. Lots of storage space, a relatively low-lying center console, and ample physical controls are all appreciated. The central display measures 9”, fairly small by today’s standards, but I prefer it that way, and hope Honda doesn’t follow the crowd into the Enormous Infotainment Interface Zone.
Rear legroom is on the tight side at 37”, which is 4” less than what you’ll find in the Honda Passport and Pilot. However, theater-style seating back there helps with visibility and overall comfort. The $47,490 TrailSport model does come with a heated steering wheel and the aforementioned orange treatment, but for about $5,000 less you can get into a base Ridgeline Sport.
Honda Builds A Great V6
This is where my money would go, as it gets you the same free-breathing 3.5L V6 with a power peak of 5,350 RPM (it likes to rev). Output measures 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is sent through a 9-speed automatic to spin all four wheels - AWD comes standard.
I saw 21 MPG in mixed driving, besting the EPA’s combined estimate for the TrailSport by a single MPG. That said, a hybrid option would be nice. But going back to the Ridgeline Sport for a sec, it comes nicely outfitted with 18” rims, cloth seats, triple-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charging pad. For about 42 grand, it feels like a lot of truck for the money.
Is The 2026 Honda Ridgeline Worth A Look?
Were I in the market for a pickup truck, the Honda Ridgeline would be a top contender. The utility of that 5.3’ bed would come in handy for Home Depot runs, surf sessions, and the seemingly endless need to move stuff. But more importantly for me, the Ridgeline comes with a carlike ride, making it perfectly suited to the daily driver needs that come with a family and kids.
About the author: Niel Stender is an automotive journalist. More of his work can be found at muckrack.com/niel-stender