In an era when the segment is largely comprised of body-on-frame trucks, the Honda Ridgeline has always proudly stood apart. It’s not a heavy-duty hauler, it’s the ultimate lifestyle pickup, combining the rugged utility of an open bed with the unibody comfort of a premium SUV. Honda isn’t about to reinvent the wheel for the 2025 model year — it’s about refining it. The new Ridgeline builds on its one-of-a-kind strengths with subtle exterior enhancements and feature updates, plus the same smart engineering that makes it the wisest choice for so many buyers.
To paraphrase, here is our full evaluation of the 2025 Honda Ridgeline.
What’s New for 2025? A Subtle Refresh
The 2025 model year brings a mild makeover and new features for the Ridgeline.
- Revised Front Styling: Two trims, the TrailSport and Black Edition, add a new more prominent black grille that further elevates the rugged off-road-ready look.
- New Wheel Designs: Two new alloy wheel designs on the Sport and RTL-L Trims bring a fresh updated look on the side profile.
- Expanded Color Palette: A vibrant and modern color option added in the form of Cobalt Blue Pearl to the color options. * Standard Rear-Seat Reminders: Rounding out its family appeal, a back seat check alert is now standard on all trims.
Powertrain & Performance: The Smooth Operator
The refined character of the Ridgeline is made even more prominent with a single, tried and true powertrain.
- 3.5L i-VTEC V6 Engine: The 3.5-liter V6 is good for 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It delivers a smooth, linear power that feels instant and responsive, in stark contrast with turbo engines offered by many competitors.
- 9-Speed Automatic Transmission: Together with a 9-speed automatic, this powertrain offers a car-like, refined driving experience that is a nice change of pace from the sometimes-brutal shifts of other body-on-frame trucks.
- Towing and Payload: The Ridgeline is able to tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 1,583 pounds, when fully equipped.
The Ridgeline’s Signature Features: Unmatched Utility
This is when Ridgeline really pulls away from the pack with clever, Honda solutions.
- The In-Bed Trunk™: The Ridgeline’s party trick. This lockable, drainable, and weather-tight trunk in the bed floor provides 7.3 cubic feet of secure storage for your tools, coolers or luggage. You won’t find this on any other pickup. * Dual-Action Tailgate: The tailgate opens down like a normal tailgate or swings open like a door to the side, which means easy access to the bed and trunk.
- Available In-Bed Audio System: The Ridgeline can transform its bed walls into speakers for the ultimate tailgating experience with the available 540-watt audio system and an in-bed audio system.
Interior & On-Road Comfort: Full-Size SUV Comfort on the Road
Open the door, and the Ridgeline is more plush Honda Pilot than utilitarian pickup.
- Car-Like Interior: Premium materials and intuitive controls are well executed in this bland and soulless cabin, and derive some redeeming value from a quiet and comfortable ride.
- Plentiful Rear-Seat Space: The Ridgeline’s back seat is among the most comfortable in the segment, with enough legroom to make adult passengers happy.
- i-VTM4® AWD System: The optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system delivers outstanding traction in adverse weather, adds unexpected light off-road capability, and still offers a calm on-road ride.
2025 Model Name & Style Overview
The Ridgeline caters for durability with different trim offerings:
- Sport The well-equipped base model.
- RTL: Includes leather and heated seats.
- RTL-E: The luxury leader, packed full of all the luxurious features.
- Black Edition: Includes aggressive blacked-out styling on top of the RTL-E package.
- TrailSport: The off-road-focused trim with all-terrain tires, a factory lift, and unique suspension tuning.
The Competition & The Verdict
The Ridgeline stands alone with its unorthodox design, however, it also vies for buyers of the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and top trim versions of the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger.
Who the 2025 Honda Ridgeline is for is:
- Active Lifestyle: The cyclist, kayaker or camper who appreciates the lockable trunk and easy-to-use bed.
- The Daily Driver: That wants the utility of a truck without having to give up the comfortable, quiet, and efficient ride of an SUV.
- The Sensible Buyer: For whom common sense trumped hype, who knew and trusted hondas reputation for reliability, and who liked features that made life a little easier.
The 2025 Honda Ridgeline doesn’t (and can’t) appeal to everyone. But this is a splendid vehicle for a particular, intelligent, and expanding market segment. It shows you don’t need a big body and a big V8 to make a really capable, really useful pickup truck.
