Issues at Honda are a bit chaotic at the moment. The automaker is dealing with its first annual revenue loss in almost 70 years, has killed three upcoming electrical automobiles, and can supposedly preserve producing a handful of present fashions into the following decade. That features the Ridgeline pickup—however it received’t look the identical.
The Honda Ridgeline is getting previous. The second-generation unibody pickup is nearing its tenth birthday, with the present truck occurring sale for the 2017 mannequin 12 months. Whereas a third-generation model continues to be a number of years away, an up to date mannequin is on the horizon.
A latest report alleges that the automaker will pause Ridgeline production within the fourth quarter of this 12 months and restart it within the third quarter of 2028. The truck will return with new styling and an up to date V6 engine designed to fulfill stricter emissions rules
We don’t know the way drastic the modifications might be, however when the Ridgeline returns, it is going to seemingly face much more pickups, just like the upcoming Ram Dakota and Hyundai’s Santa Cruz alternative. Till then, although, that is every little thing we all know.
What Will Honda Name It?
2028 Honda Ridgeline Rendering By Motor1
Picture by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
Honda launched the Ridgeline 20 years in the past. The primary-generation pickup had a 3.5-liter V6 engine making 255 horsepower and a 5,000-pound towing capability. It has an unbiased suspension and an all-wheel-drive system.
The automaker would halt manufacturing between the primary and second-generation fashions, with the pickup absent for the 2015 and 2016 mannequin years. The present Ridgeline went on sale for 2017 and has obtained a number of updates, like gaining a brand new TrailSport trim for 2024.
We anticipate Honda to proceed to make use of the Ridgeline identify, and we wouldn’t be stunned if it places an even bigger emphasis on the TrailSport trim in its subsequent iteration.
What Will It Look Like?
2028 Honda Ridgeline Rendering By Motor1
Picture by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
The up to date Ridgeline will trip on the present platform, so the design received’t change radically. Nevertheless, the styling will get a radical makeover, and we anticipate the pickup to undertake cues from the up to date Passport, which has been a gross sales hit, especially the TrailSport trim.
Our rendering depicts the truck with the Passport’s squared-off design. It has an aggressive decrease bumper skid plate, a pair of crimson tow hooks, a slim grille opening with the Honda badge within the center, a pair of rectangular headlights, and a hood vent for good measure.
On the rear, our Ridgeline rendering has tall taillights with the identical T-shaped motif because the Passport. Consider it as a Passport pickup, primarily.
What Will Energy It?
2026 Honda Passport V6 Engine
Picture by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
The up to date Honda Ridgeline is predicted to function a brand new V6 engine. The present mannequin has Honda’s 3.5-liter J35Y6 V6 engine. It has single overhead cams and produces 280 hp.
The J35Y8 V6, which has twin overhead cams and is discovered within the Pilot and Passport, makes 285 hp and lacks VTEC. The Ridgeline might get a model of this engine. Honda can also be creating a new V6 engine for its next-generation hybrid system.
This new engine is predicted to reach in a manufacturing automobile subsequent 12 months, earlier than the up to date Ridgeline enters manufacturing. Honda may also seemingly exchange the truck’s present nine-speed computerized transmission with the 10-speed unit that’s within the Pilot and Passport, which options paddle shifters.
What Platform Will It Journey On?
The present-generation Honda Ridgeline rides on the automaker’s PF7 platform, which it shares with the Pilot and Passport. The up to date truck will proceed to make use of this structure, however we’d not be stunned if Honda made modifications to the platform to extend security and rigidity.
When Will It Debut?
If the up to date Ridgeline is predicted to enter manufacturing simply over two years from now, we seemingly received’t see the pickup debut till mid-2027 on the earliest. Honda may even wait till early 2028 to indicate off the brand new pickup, however after we do see it, it is going to seemingly be badged as a 2029 model-year automobile.
Picture by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
How A lot Will It Price?
The 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport begins at $42,290, together with the $1,495 vacation spot cost. The mid-grade Ridgeline TrailSport has a $46,490 beginning value, whereas the lineup tops out with the Ridgeline Black Version, with the two-tone paint, at $49,390.
The truck competes with mid-size choices just like the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Nissan Frontier, all of which begin within the low- to mid-$30,000 vary. We anticipate the up to date Ridgeline to stay above the $40,000 to start out, and we wouldn’t be shocked if the worth crept as much as round $45,000 when it arrives.
