Honda Ridgeline; anyone ever have/drive one?

[Rams]

Well Mike,  did you get one bought?  If so, what level and color?

Rams

[Jersey mike]

No nothing bought yet nor even a test drive.

I did go to the local dealership last Friday and get an up close look at two, one was a 2025 and the one in the showroom was a 2026.

According to cars.com, the 2025 RTL pkg which has the color combo I like, the Red exterior with brown interior, has been on their lot since July I believe. They have another of the same combo from August in an overflow lot a few miles away which I didn’t go see. It was 13 degrees that day. I like to open the hood and the doors and look at the chassis when looking over a vehicle.

The 2026 model inside on the showroom floor was black on black and the trail version.

This was the closest dealership to our house and there are a few within the surrounding area.

This weekend it was still bitter cold out and Barbara was busy with my youngest daughter planning our other daughter’s bridal shower so we did not venture out.

There are quite a few of that color combo in the TRL in our area do not seem to be moving off the lot very quickly with many having late summer ‘25 dates and the prices are not falling to help move them. I’ve looked nationally and the prices are pretty darn close plus/minus a few hundred or so. There are some ‘26’s as well and priced similarly as the ‘25’s.

When I’m was at the dealership I made sure to pay closer attention to the decked out Pilots and Passports  and asked just some basic questions on the Ridgeline. The day I went, I was the only knucklehead walking the lot and the showroom was quite and empty, it was so slow all the people other than the service department were standing around.

It’ll be warmer this weekend but we’re limited to Honda dealerships in our area. The next closest is probably 30 - 40 minutes away in north south direction so getting back and forth to find a dealer to work with is leg work but we’ll get there. The May wedding is taking priority right now and I have a meeting with a generator contractor this week. After the last storm and the icing and wind I said that’s it, it’s time for a whole house unit. I think the Ridgelines will be there for a few more weeks so we’ll get there. I have the colors I want and the RTL package seems to fit the best for us, but I do want a bed cover and just might need tne running boards, but we will see on that.

[Rams]

Gotcha!

Since ours is primarily my wife’s vehicle, I stood back and watched.  Only got involved when it came to negotiating the price.   She picked the Red Trail model.   If she’s happy, we’re all happy.  

It took me quite a while to get her to even consider the Ridgeline, she wanted a Honda Pilot initially but I reminded her of how often she was cramming (whatever) into the ass end of her previous SUVs and how the utility of the Ridgeline seem to be a better fit for how she uses her vehicle.

She test drove our first one and loved it and its options.   She loves that rear trunk.   For us (her more than myself) the Ridgeline was a good choice.  

Rams

[Jersey mike]

Gotcha!

Since ours is primarily my wife’s vehicle, I stood back and watched.  Only got involved when it came to negotiating the price.   She picked the Red Trail model.   If she’s happy, we’re all happy.  

It took me quite a while to get her to even consider the Ridgeline, she wanted a Honda Pilot initially but I reminded her of how often she was cramming (whatever) into the ass end of her previous SUVs and how the utility of the Ridgeline seem to be a better fit for how she uses her vehicle.

She test drove our first one and loved it and its options.   She loves that rear trunk.   For us (her more than myself) the Ridgeline was a good choice.  

Rams

There’s something about Honda and their reds that get me all the time. My Valkyrie is the burgundy and cream, my Goldwing is burgundy and my daughter bought herself a 2018 red civic coupe. She’s not happy I want the red Ridgeline   but that’s dad’s choice.

Added; and it’s a good thing I have my van still as my daughter’s wedding dress will need to be transported the hour away to the venue without being folded and wrinkled in the trunk of the wife’s Avalon. So the family van will play one final role in our lives…as long as it doesn’t get much more quirky on me.

[HayHauler]

I had not even noticed the Ridgeline until I read this entire post.  Now I see them all over the Houston area.  4 in one trip home from work the other day.

Mike, I hope you find the one you are looking for and Congrats on the Daughter's wedding!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jersey mike]

I had not even noticed the Ridgeline until I read this entire post.  Now I see them all over the Houston area.  4 in one trip home from work the other day.

Mike, I hope you find the one you are looking for and Congrats on the Daughter's wedding!

Hay 
Jimmyt

Thank you! It’s going to be a big year for the family. Our daughter getting married this May, my nephew in September and possibly my son in December. May is closing in faster and faster.

As a dad I’m not ready for my once little girl getting married let alone when grandkids may come along.

[Jersey mike]

Well we did it, we pulled that trigger and came brought home the Ridgeline.

We went Saturday just to see how Barb would like the seating and if getting in and out would be an issue. She liked it, had no problem and even had it out for about a 35 mile test ride. I left a deposit that day and paid for the factory tonneau cover. They called today and said it was ready for pick up.

I appreciate everyone taking their time to leave their comments and opinion of it.

[Rams]

Well we did it, we pulled that trigger and came brought home the Ridgeline.

We went Saturday just to see how Barb would like the seating and if getting in and out would be an issue. She liked it, had no problem and even had it out for about a 35 mile test ride. I left a deposit that day and paid for the factory tonneau cover. They called today and said it was ready for pick up.

I appreciate everyone taking their time to leave their comments and opinion of it.

Well, I am glad to learn you got what you wanted.  We (the wife) is/are very happy with ours.   While it’s not gonna do what my Ram 3500 would do, I wouldn’t ask or attempt such things.  Enjoy it.

Rams

[Jersey mike]

Well we did it, we pulled that trigger and came brought home the Ridgeline.

We went Saturday just to see how Barb would like the seating and if getting in and out would be an issue. She liked it, had no problem and even had it out for about a 35 mile test ride. I left a deposit that day and paid for the factory tonneau cover. They called today and said it was ready for pick up.

I appreciate everyone taking their time to leave their comments and opinion of it.

Well, I am glad to learn you got what you wanted.  We (the wife) is/are very happy with ours.   While it’s not gonna do what my Ram 3500 would do, I wouldn’t ask or attempt such things.  Enjoy it.

Rams

 

If I ever need to pull a house behind me I’ll be sure to give you a buzz and we’ll put that 3500 to some good use. 

[Rams]

Well we did it, we pulled that trigger and came brought home the Ridgeline.

We went Saturday just to see how Barb would like the seating and if getting in and out would be an issue. She liked it, had no problem and even had it out for about a 35 mile test ride. I left a deposit that day and paid for the factory tonneau cover. They called today and said it was ready for pick up.

I appreciate everyone taking their time to leave their comments and opinion of it.

Well, I am glad to learn you got what you wanted.  We (the wife) is/are very happy with ours.   While it’s not gonna do what my Ram 3500 would do, I wouldn’t ask or attempt such things.  Enjoy it.

Rams

 

If I ever need to pull a house behind me I’ll be sure to give you a buzz and we’ll put that 3500 to some good use. 

 

[F6Dave]

Here's a review of the 2026 Ridgeline by an opinionated but interesting writer:

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2026/02/19/2026-honda-ridgeline/

[Rams]

Here's a review of the 2026 Ridgeline by an opinionated but interesting writer:

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2026/02/19/2026-honda-ridgeline/

Well, I can’t argue anything that was stated in that article.    The steps weren’t mentioned but that’s obviously a personal call.

Rams

[F6Dave]

Here's a review of the 2026 Ridgeline by an opinionated but interesting writer:

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2026/02/19/2026-honda-ridgeline/

Well, I can’t argue anything that was stated in that article.    The steps weren’t mentioned but that’s obviously a personal call.

Rams

I agree with him too, especially on the standard V6. I haven't liked the trend to turbocharged 4 cylinder engines in trucks. Turbos are fine providing the occasional blast of power to pass another vehicle. But continual use while towing has to take a toll on longevity.

With the EPA rescinding the 'endangerment finding' that could be changing. Mercedes just replaced the turbo 4 with a 6 in one of their AMG sedans, and Dodge/Ram (and maybe Jeep) is reviving the Hemi V8.

[Rams]

Here's a review of the 2026 Ridgeline by an opinionated but interesting writer:

https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2026/02/19/2026-honda-ridgeline/

Well, I can’t argue anything that was stated in that article.    The steps weren’t mentioned but that’s obviously a personal call.

Rams

I agree with him too, especially on the standard V6. I haven't liked the trend to turbocharged 4 cylinder engines in trucks. Turbos are fine providing the occasional blast of power to pass another vehicle. But continual use while towing has to take a toll on longevity.

With the EPA rescinding the 'endangerment finding' that could be changing. Mercedes just replaced the turbo 4 with a 6 in one of their AMG sedans, and Dodge/Ram (and maybe Jeep) is reviving the Hemi V8.

I’m not an engineer but in a normally aspirated engine that’s had a turbo or supercharger added would have to been a huge consideration as in how much boost that engine would get.   Although the same things would apply to Diesel engines, they (generally speaking) are built to a higher standard to accept that additional boost.  I have several friends that have boosted their engines.  Some went too far and ended up replacing those engines.

Rams

[Jersey mike]

So yesterday we had to meet our daughter and soon to be son-in-law at the wedding venue that’s about 50 miles from home so we had a good 100+ mile round trip of highway driving. Well it was a pleasure driving, so much smoother and much more quiet than the van was.

One thing that really struck me was how smooth the transmission was and I was amazed when I looked at the speedometer set at 77mph and the tach read about 1,800rpm. 1,800rpm at 77mph is unreal in my opinion.

I really think I’m going to like this vehicle.

[Rams]

Glad you are enjoying the Ridgeline.  Just like any other choice, it may not be for everyone but we really like ours.

Rams